Retail News at a Glance, 22 September 2026

Retail News at a Glance, 22 September 2026. What happened this week in Australian retail and retail technology.

Accent Group heads for a board showdown

Ragtrader reports that Accent Group's independent directors will stand for re-election at the AGM, putting board composition to shareholders as Frasers Group presses a takeover at 65 cents a share from its 22.9 per cent stake; the shares have traded nearer 70 cents. Why it matters: the vote sets the terms for control of one of Australia's largest footwear retailers. Ragtrader.

Brand Collective builds a marketplace division

Ragtrader reports that Brand Collective has acquired Glue Store, digital marketplace The DOM and activewear label Running Bare, forming a new multi-brand marketplace division; terms were not disclosed. Glue Store, wound down by former owner Accent Group, will be relaunched with new stores. Why it matters: it consolidates struggling apparel brands under one operator building marketplace scale. Ragtrader.

Coles to anchor an inner-Sydney precinct

Retail Biz reports that Coles will anchor the new Erskineville Village precinct in inner Sydney with a full-line supermarket and Liquorland, part of a roughly 4,800-square-metre retail development on the former Ashmore industrial estate, with completion expected in 2028. Why it matters: full-line supermarket sites in dense inner-city infill are scarce and shape local grocery competition. Retail Biz.

Uniqlo doubles down in Queensland

Ragtrader reports that Uniqlo will open its first Sunshine Coast store, a 777-square-metre outlet at Sunshine Plaza, on 15 October, and will relocate its Brisbane Queen Street Mall flagship to a larger site later this year. Why it matters: the Japanese retailer keeps adding Queensland floor space while several domestic apparel chains retrench. Ragtrader.

RMIT: price beats planet in fast fashion

RMIT researchers, publishing in the Journal of Global Fashion Marketing, find Australian shoppers buy ultra-fast fashion despite knowing its environmental cost, using what they call "strategic spontaneity" and "cognitive buffering" to justify purchases; for context they note about 5 million Australians buy from Temu and 2.9 million from Shein. Why it matters: awareness campaigns alone are unlikely to shift ultra-fast-fashion demand. Ragtrader.