Carrie LaFrenz

California

Senior Journalist, Retail & Consumer Goods at Australian Financial Review

Cali girl. Beach lover. Snowboarder. General sceptic. Mom. Got a story? PM me.

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Articles

Ultra Violette’s cult sunscreen under scrutiny in blue with Choice

1 week ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

The effectiveness of Ultra Violette’s products is under the spotlight after consumer advocacy group Choice accused the cult skincare brand of misleading customers about its sun protection claims. But the Melbourne-headquartered brand says it is Choice that is making spurious claims, claiming its laboratory testing is inaccurate. Loading...
Amart buys Freedom Furniture to create retail giant with over $1 billion in sales

1 week ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Quadrant Private Equity-backed Amart Furniture has snapped up rival Freedom Furniture to create a retailing giant with $1 billion in sales that could list on the ASX as soon as next year. The combined businesses will continue to operate as standalone brands, although a name change is likely ahead of any possible public float. The larger group will operate 126 stores across Australia and New Zealand with 2200 staff and more than $100 million in annual earnings. Loading...
Britain’s retail tough guy, Mike Ashley, sets Sports Direct’s sights on Australia

2 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Skip to navigationSkip to contentSkip to footerHelp using this website - Accessibility statementMike Ashley is always spoiling for a fight. And the teenage squash coach turned sports shop owner turned British retailing tycoon has plenty of experience. He’s been in boardroom brawls, sued the Newcastle United Football Club, which he once owned, and accused Morgan Stanley of “snobbery” over a $1.4 billion margin call on his position in Hugo Boss.
Mosaic may have traded insolvent for years, administrators say

2 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

The administrator of failed retailer Mosaic Brands has raised the possibility that the company was trading while insolvent as far back as five years ago. Mosaic, once one of the biggest ASX-listed clothing retailers, collapsed last year, with FTI Consulting appointed as administrators. The company operated clothing chains including Katies, Millers, Noni B and Rivers, all of which have now closed, resulting in hundreds of jobs being lost. Loading...
Spendless Shoes, Jo Mercer owner The Shoe Group poised to buy Wittner

2 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Wittner, the women’s boot retailer founded more than a century ago that collapsed in April, is set to be saved after the owner of the Novo Shoes and Jo Mercer brands emerged as a potential buyer on Friday. Deloitte restructuring partners Sal Algeri and David Orr were appointed as Wittner’s administrators by its owner, British distressed-asset investor Hilco Capital, after sales slumped and costs rose. Loading... Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Cettire downgrades profit again, shares crash 30pc

2 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Cettire founder and chief executive Dean Mintz has warned that the outlook for the global luxury goods sector remains bleak, particularly in its largest market, the United States, as the company issued its second profit downgrade in less than two months, sending its share price tumbling. The retailer, which sells brands such as Gucci, Moncler and Max Mara at steep discounts, also flagged a $4.7 million loss in the March quarter. Loading... Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.
Shein shifts Australian marketplace to Singapore, raising tax avoidance and GST questions

3 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Jun 5, 2025 – 8.00pm or Subscribe to save articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Shein, the Chinese online fast fashion giant that has expanded rapidly with low prices and an enormous range of merchandise, has set up a new vehicle in Singapore that will run its Australian marketplace, raising questions about whether the company will use the structure to avoid goods and services taxes.
David Jones slides into loss as private equity owner works its debt

3 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz |Jemima Whyte

Jun 5, 2025 – 8.00pm or Subscribe to save articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Anchorage Capital Partners is considering ways of providing financial support to ailing retailer David Jones as the department store slides into a deep loss and warns of challenging conditions. Anchorage acquired David Jones in 2022 from Woolworths Holdings, the South African retailer which also owns Country Road Group.
David Jones partners with Qantas in a loyalty program revamp, taking on Myer’s Olivia Wirth

3 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz |Ayesha de Kretser

Jun 5, 2025 – 6.01am or Subscribe to save articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? David Jones will partner with Qantas’ popular frequent flier scheme as it faces off against long-time department store rival Myer’s own attempts at reinvigorating its lucrative loyalty program.
Country Road Group chief executive makes abrupt exit after four years

3 weeks ago | afr.com | Carrie LaFrenz

Jun 4, 2025 – 2.37pm or Subscribe to save articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Country Road Group chief executive with Raju Vuppalapati has resigned from the retailer, leaving the fashion group without a successor in place. The Australian Financial Review revealed in March that recruiter Spencer Stuart was seeking new chief executive.