Christopher Kelly

Sydney

Editor at Ragtrader

Writer for Ragtrader - Blogger at The Gay Straight-Talker - Gay everywhere

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Articles

Tariffs be damned: Aussie fashion doubles down in US

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

There are quite a few Australian fashion brands that remain gung-ho on scaling in the United States, despite the global tariff war. Homegrown swimwear businesses Bond-Eye Group and Sheila the Label, as well as designer brands such as Venroy and Leo Lin, are continuing their push in the North American market, opening pop-ups, scaling online and tapping wholesale.
Household spending lifts just 0.1% in April

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

Household spending rose just 0.1 per cent in April this year. This is according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This follows a 0.1 per cent fall in household spending in March, and a 0.2 per cent lift in February this year. ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing confirmed the slight nudge up was dragged back by households buying less clothing and footwear as well as alcohol and tobacco.
David Jones inks loyalty deal with Qantas

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

Department store David Jones has just announced a loyalty partnership with Qantas Frequent Flyer. The partnership comes as the retailer prepares to launch its new loyalty program, David Jones Rewards, later this year. For the first time, David Jones shoppers will be able to earn and redeem either David Jones Rewards Points or Qantas Points.
The Athlete's Foot hits next retail phase

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

The Athlete’s Foot has just opened its brand-new concept store on Church Street in Brighton, Victoria, stepping up the retailer's in-store technology capabilities. The new store is split across two levels, with the floorplan creating a new path for customers as well as increased privacy for customers, and the addition of the retailer's MyFit 3D fitting area. The concept store also includes increased digital elements and touchpoints throughout, including LED screens and plinths.
Nike, The Iconic team up for Sydney campaign

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

Australian fashion platform The Iconic has partnered with Nike to present a new marketing campaign called Outrun Your Delivery. Taking place on June 7 and June 14, the campaign will invite Sydneysiders to race The Iconic’s 3-hour delivery van to the finish line. The location of the race will be shared via the platform’s Instagram and TikTok accounts three hours before the van’s arrival.
Australia’s economy slows, industry sounds the alarm

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

Peak bodies across Australia are sounding the alarm as Australia’s economic growth softened in the March quarter, lifting just 0.2 per cent according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is down from 0.6 per cent recorded in the December quarter, with the annual rate of change at 1.3 per cent in March 2025. ABS head of national accounts Katherine Keenan said public spending recorded the largest detraction from growth since the September quarter in 2017.
Country Road Group CEO resigns

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

Country Road Group CEO Raju Vuppalapati has resigned, citing the pursuit of personal interests. Vuppalapati has been with the Group since 2021 and has overseen the management of the group’s portfolio of brands – Country Road, Trenery, Witchery, Mimco and Politix – as well as its re-entry into Myer. Vuppalapati said that while the decision to leave was a difficult one, he felt this was the right time. “It has been a privilege to lead our passionate team and iconic brands,” he said.
UK footwear brand R.A.D fuels Aussie market entry

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

London-born sneaker brand R.A.D has officially launched in Australia, opening a dedicated website and partnering with local distributor The Move Better Project to boot. The brand is also continuing its wholesale partnership with TWL, an online sporting retailer. As part of the local launch, the R.A.D ONE V2 training shoe was made available locally, with the R-1 training shoe coming soon.
US footwear brand R.A.D fuels Aussie market entry

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

US-born sneaker brand R.A.D has officially launched in Australia, opening a dedicated website and partnering with local distributor The Move Better Project to boot. The brand is also continuing its wholesale partnership with TWL, an online sporting retailer. As part of the local launch, the R.A.D ONE V2 training shoe was made available locally, with the R-1 training shoe coming soon.
May’s cash rate cut fails to woo consumers

3 weeks ago | ragtrader.com.au | Christopher Kelly

ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence dropped 0.6 points to 86.4 in the week after the Reserve Bank (RBA) cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent. Consumer confidence is now 5.9 points above the same week a year ago, and in line with the 2025 weekly average of 86.5.ANZ economist Sophia Angala said the fall was largely driven by lower confidence in the 12-month financial outlook, but noted that economic confidence rose slightly.