Retail News at a Glance, 24 September 2026

Retail News at a Glance, 24 September 2026. What happened this week in Australian retail and retail technology.

Myer books a $276.5 million loss

Myer reports a statutory net loss of $276.5 million for FY26 after $279.6 million of impairments, on sales of $4.09 billion with comparable sales up 0.7 per cent, Retail Biz reports from the company's results. No final dividend is declared, and Solomon Lew returns to the board after 24 years. Why it matters: executive chair Olivia Wirth guides to continued volatility in discretionary spending over the next 12 months. Retail Biz.

KMD Brands writes down NZ$462.7 million

KMD Brands, owner of Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz, reports an FY26 statutory loss of NZ$414.4 million after a NZ$462.7 million impairment charge, Ragtrader reports. Revenue rises 6.5 per cent to NZ$1.05 billion and underlying EBITDA rises to NZ$42 million, with FY27 EBITDA guided at NZ$52 million to NZ$55 million. Why it matters: the impairment resets asset values as all three brands return to revenue growth. Ragtrader.

digiDirect pays $99,000 over strikethrough prices

The ACCC announces that camera and electronics retailer digiDirect has paid $99,000 in penalties under five infringement notices and admitted its strikethrough discount claims were misleading, because products were seldom sold at the higher listed prices. It has also given a court-enforceable undertaking. Why it matters: the case came from an ACCC sweep of Black Friday pricing, and this year's sales are two months away. ACCC.

Optus weighs smart-glasses limits in store

Optus is considering restricting smart glasses in its stores on privacy grounds, SmartCompany reports. Corien Vermaak, executive general manager of security and risk, says restrictions are "absolutely a possibility", though a formal ban is not under active discussion. Telstra sells Meta's smart glasses and JB Hi-Fi stocks a range. Why it matters: retailers selling camera-equipped wearables now face policy questions about their use on the shop floor. SmartCompany.

Amazon blocks Meta's shopping agent

Amazon has asked Meta to remove its store from Muse, Meta's new AI agent that buys on users' behalf across retail sites using Link by Stripe, saying it had no advance notice and did not authorise access, Retail Dive reports. Amazon is separately suing Perplexity over its Comet shopping agent. Why it matters: large retailers are asserting control over which AI agents may transact on their sites. Retail Dive.