The Retail Scoreboard

After 30 episodes, this is our last ever episode of The Retail Scoreboard Podcast. April delivered the data we've been watching for, and it's a fitting note to end on. The underlying story of Australian retail continues to shift, and the April scoreboard tells us exactly where things are heading. In this final episode, we break down the April results and reflect on the journey of decoding the data with you each month. What we cover: April performance: The headline numbers vs the underlying reality Channel breakdown: How stores, outlets, concessions and online stacked up Discounting and margin pressure: Where the squeeze tightened Consumer behaviour: Transaction values, units per basket, and what shoppers prioritised The macro backdrop: Interest rates, cost-of-living and confidence heading into the new financial year What's next for Australian retail: Our final read on where the sector is heading And most importantly — a huge thank you. To every listener who tuned in, shared an episode, sent us feedback or used the data to make smarter calls in their business — thank you. This podcast started as a way to cut through the noise and give Australian retail an honest, data-led read each month. The fact that so many of you came along for the ride means everything. The Retail Score isn't going anywhere. The data, the insights and the index will continue — just in new formats. Stay close. Tune in for one last breakdown.

Retail is holding… until it isn't. March delivered modest growth on paper, but the underlying story tells a very different picture. In this episode of The Retail Scoreboard Podcast, we break down the March data and unpack why the final weeks of the month saw a sharp shift in momentum across Australian retail. What we cover: • March performance: Like-for-like sales up just 1%, with unit growth (+0.6%) and transactions (+2%) doing the heavy lifting Discounting increased significantly (+4.1%), putting pressure on margins Average transaction value and units per transaction both declined • The real story — the last 2 weeks: Significant declines across stores, outlets and concessions Online growth driven largely by heavy discounting Momentum dropped off sharply heading into month-end • Channel breakdown: Outlets and standalone stores led early in the month Concessions and online remained soft overall Afterpay sales week underperformed vs last year • What's driving it: Fuel prices rising sharply through March Interest rate increases mid-month Consumer confidence continuing to fall Cost-of-living pressure accelerating • What happens next: More discounting and promotional activity Increased focus on cost cutting and productivity Tighter inventory management Potential store closures for underperforming locations The key takeaway? This isn't a short-term dip. The next 4–6 weeks will be critical in shaping retail sentiment as we move into the new financial year. Listen to the full episode for a deeper breakdown of the data and what it means for your business.

Episode 28 of The Retail Scoreboard unpacks the February 2026 retail results, the growing global pressures shaping Australian retail, and reflects on 10 years of The Retail Score. Using anonymised data from 100+ retailers, the February scoreboard reveals a retail environment that remains fragile beneath the surface. Like-for-like sales lifted 1.2%, but once again the growth story is being driven by price rather than demand. Unit sales fell 2.6% and transactions declined 1.1%, signalling continued softness in consumer activity. Gross profit dollars rose 2.9%, with GP% up 1 point, while average selling prices increased 3.9%. This pushed average transaction value up 2.4%, highlighting how pricing continues to carry retail performance. Across channels, online remained the standout, growing 5.5%, with outlets also strong at 5.7%. Concessions delivered modest growth of 1.2%, while standalone stores slipped into decline at –0.4%, reinforcing the ongoing pressure on physical retail. State performance was mixed, with TAS and WA leading growth, while NSW, VIC and QLD all recorded declines. The episode also explores global forces now shaping retail, including geopolitical conflict, rising energy costs, interest rate pressures, and the continued impact on consumer confidence and supply chains. To mark 10 years of The Retail Score, we also look back at the major structural shifts that have reshaped Australian retail, from the rise of e-commerce and omnichannel to global marketplaces, discounting, and the growing role of data and AI. The conversation highlights how dramatically retail has evolved over the past decade — and what the next phase of change may look like. For full access to The Retail Score Index and deeper insights into Australian retail performance, visit www.theretailscore.com

Episode 27 of the Retail Scoreboard unpacks January 2026 results and the renewed impact of inflation on Australian retail, using anonymised data from 100+ retailers to reveal what's really driving performance. On the surface, January delivered a solid like-for-like sales lift of 2.3%. But beneath that headline number, the story is far more complex. Unit sales declined 2.7% and transactions were also down 2.7%, confirming that growth is not being driven by demand — it's being driven by price. Gross profit dollars rose 3.7%, with GP% up 0.8 percentage points. Average transaction value climbed 5.7%, fuelled by a 5.1% rise in average selling price. Original ticket prices increased 3.7% year-on-year, with final sell prices up 2.7%, as softer discounting allowed more of the inflationary pressure to pass through to consumers. The discussion explores: • The return of inflation and why this is a major blow for retail in FY26 • Price as the only meaningful growth driver across the last three months • Online performance, which continued its exceptional run with 10% growth • Concessions (up 4.3%) and outlets (up 4.8%) outperforming standalone stores • The growing pressure on physical retail, with standalone stores up just 0.4% • State performance, with WA leading the way while QLD and VIC declined • The structural cost pressures facing retailers — rising wages, CPI-linked rents, superannuation increases and store operating costs projected to rise 4–5% We also zoom out to examine what retailers can realistically do next. With demand soft, costs rising and 2–3 potential rate rises still on the cards, the industry faces tough choices: raise prices, cut labour, restructure store networks — or absorb further margin pressure. If the last few years have felt familiar, that's because they are. Inflation, wage growth, rent increases and cautious consumers have collided before. The question now is how retailers respond in FY26. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and deeper January insights? Visit www.theretailscore.com  

Episode 26 of the Retail Scoreboard delivers a full December 2025 Christmas and Boxing Day trading review, using anonymised data from 100+ Australian retailers to unpack how the peak period really performed. This episode breaks down like-for-like growth across December, examining sales, units, transactions, margins and discounting to understand where growth came from — and where it didn't. While overall December sales finished up around 3%, the data shows a very uneven performance beneath the surface. The discussion explores: Channel performance, with online delivering double-digit growth while standalone stores struggled to gain momentum Timing effects, including a late Christmas lift and a heavy reliance on Boxing Day to recover lost ground State-by-state results, highlighting softness across most regions and stronger outcomes in WA Discounting behaviour, revealing a clear two-channel strategy — markdown-led growth online and largely full-price trading in stores Physical retail pressure, with over half of physical stores recording a sales decline for the month Results vs expectations, showing that the majority of brands and stores missed their December targets The episode closes by zooming out to a quarter and year-to-date view, reinforcing the structural shift toward online and the growing challenge of driving meaningful growth through physical stores during key trading periods. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the complete Christmas trading insights? Visit www.theretailscore.com

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, dives straight into the Black Friday 2025 results, breaking down how this year's event performed across the Australian retail sector. Using anonymised data from more than 100 leading retailers, he unpacks category winners, discounting trends, shifts in consumer behaviour, and where the biggest growth, and surprises, showed up. Wayne then zooms out to analyse the broader November 2025 trading results, revealing how the month tracked overall, which sectors outperformed, and the key dynamics shaping retail performance heading into peak season. To finish, he shares predictions for the Christmas trading period, examining the indicators that matter most — from demand signals and promotional depth to stock availability and consumer sentiment. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down the October 2025 trading results across the Australian retail sector. Drawing on anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers, he explores the key factors driving the month's 3% year-on-year sales growth and what it means heading into the busiest period of the year. Wayne also takes a deep dive into Black Friday, analysing early performance indicators, consumer behaviour shifts, and predictions for how this year's event will unfold. From discounting trends to category performance, he unpacks where retailers are finding opportunities — and where caution may be needed. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

  In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down the September 2025 trading results across the Australian retail sector. Drawing on anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers, he unpacks the key shifts in performance as the industry moves into the spring trading period — highlighting emerging trends and positive early signals heading into the holiday quarter. Wayne also takes a deep dive into Artificial Intelligence and its growing relevance within the retail landscape. From the do's and don'ts of AI implementation to preparing your business for an AI-driven future, he explores how retailers can use this new technology responsibly to drive smarter decisions, boost efficiency, and stay ahead of the curve. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down the August 2025 trading results across the Australian retail sector. Drawing on anonymised data from over 100 top retailers, he highlights the trends shaping performance through the peak of winter and what they signal for the months ahead. Wayne also takes a deep dive into labour efficiency, exploring how retailers can use their data to identify hidden costs, streamline rosters, and improve productivity. From pinpointing inefficiencies to finding small savings that add up, he shares practical strategies to help retailers run leaner, smarter operations. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

In Episode 21 of The Retail Scoreboard, Wayne Rigney – Co-Founder of the Retail Score – breaks down July's trading results and takes a forensic look at the role CPI is playing in shaping retail performance. From average transaction value to actual sale price, discounting strategies, and consumer sensitivity, Wayne uses anonymised data from 100+ leading retailers to reveal how inflationary pressure is impacting a number of KPI's and behaviour across the sector. You'll also hear insights on: Variation in price movement by category Whether discounting is driving sales or damaging value Early signals heading into peak season Access the full Retail Score Index and explore the trends shaping FY26: 👉 www.theretailscore.com

In this special episode, Wayne Rigney – Co-Founder of The Retail Score – recaps the key results from June and reflects on the broader performance of the Australian retail sector across FY25. Using anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers, Wayne unpacks major trends, sales insights by state and channel, and how return behaviours are shifting year on year. He also revisits the predictions he made at the start of FY25, measuring them against the data, and shares fresh forecasts for FY26. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and deeper insights from this episode? Head to www.theretailscore.com (http://www.theretailscore.com/) to learn more.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down May 2025 retail performance across Australia using anonymised data from 100+ leading retailers. He unpacks the latest consumer trends, performance shifts by state and channel, and what's happening with return rates. This month's deep dive explores two major developments shaking up the sector: • The impact of rising U.S. tariffs on Australian retail supply chains and pricing • The national wage increase — and what it could mean for margins, spending, and the broader retail outlook Packed with insights and benchmarks to help Aussie retailers stay sharp and plan ahead.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, unpacks the April 2025 retail sales performance across Australia, using anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers. He highlights the key trends driving consumer behaviour this season and offers forward-looking insights as we head further into 2025. This month's deep dive focuses on U.S. tariff policies and their ripple effect on the Australian retail landscape — from supply chain pressures to pricing strategies. Wayne also breaks down performance by channel and state, tracks evolving return rates, and draws comparisons with U.S. market trends to help local retailers stay ahead. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down the March 2025 sales results across the Australian retail sector. Using anonymised data from over 100 top retailers, he highlights key trends, emerging challenges, and what they mean for the months ahead. Wayne also takes a deep dive into the accelerating pace of store rationalisation among Australian retailers. He explores the driving factors behind this shift, how it compares to global trends, and what it signals for the future of the industry. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, breaks down the February 2025 sales results across the Australian retail sector. Drawing on anonymised data from over 100 top retailers, he identifies key trends shaping the season's performance and shares insights on what's ahead for 2025. Wayne also delves into the data, examining results by channel and state, as well as analysing return trends over recent years. He compares these patterns with the U.S. market and offers practical strategies for retailers to make smarter, data-driven decisions in managing returns. Want full access to The Retail Score Index and the insights from this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.  

In this episode, Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of The Retail Score, unpacks January's sales results across the Australian retail industry. Using anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers, he highlights key trends shaping the season's performance and offers insights into what's ahead for 2025. Wayne also takes a deep dive into the data, analysing results by channel, state, postcode, and landlord to help retailers better understand the bigger picture. Want access to the full Retail Score Index and the insights shared in this episode? Visit www.theretailscore.com to get involved.

Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of the Retail Score, unpacks the standout results from the Christmas and Boxing Day sales period, showcasing the impressive performance of Australian retailers. Drawing from anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers, this episode offers valuable insights into the trends driving the season's success and what we may expect in 2025.   Wayne also provides a comprehensive review of Q4 2024's performance, analysing key KPIs across channels, states, and other metrics to deliver valuable context for the Australian retail sector.   If you would like to participate in the Retail Score Index, and get access to all of the data heard in this episode & more, get in touch today via our website www.theretailscore.com.

Black Friday results are in and wow, they are encouraging. Finally, some green shoots for Australian retailers. Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (November 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing November's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into Black Friday sales results by channel, state, time of the week and more. Incredibly exciting results to say the least. Bring on Christmas!

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (October 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing October's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into Black Friday and what we can expect this year, based off the data accrued over the past two years for the same period. If you would like to learn more about the Retail Score Index and how you can gain access to this data for your own business, reach out via our website www.theretailscore.com.

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (September 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing Septembers outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into discounting and the average sell price fluctuations of retailers within the tRS index. If you would like to learn more about the Retail Score Index and how you can gain access to this data for your own business, reach out via our website www.theretailscore.com.

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (August 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing Augusts outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into the importance of contextualising & benchmarking your data against your industry. If you would like to learn more about the Retail Score Index and how you can gain access to this data for your own business, reach out via our website www.theretailscore.com.

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (June 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing June's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into the importance of meticulous planning and forecasting when it comes to buying and how seriously of stocks & other inventory issues can severely impact your business. Well done to Australian retailers for holding on and making it through to their first month of growth in over 14 months! Finger crossed this is the start of better times.

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (May 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing May's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into the rising rent and wage costs retailers are currently facing in what can only be described as an unsustainable market. 

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (April 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing April's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into the retailers' budgeting trends and sentiment (as of May 2024). He dives deeper into what missing budget can mean for your business, how to avoid making stock miscalculations and tips to prepare for the tricky road ahead for the Australian retail landscape.

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (March 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing March's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into whether or not manufactured sales events like Afterpay Day and Click Frenzy are actually worth it for the Retailer once you take into account it's affects on GP% and overall retail performance in the weeks after these events. 

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (February 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest episode of The Retail Scoreboard. The analytics are compromised from the anonymised data of over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners. In addition to discussing February's outcomes & breaking down the KPI Scoreboard for the month, Wayne takes a deep dive into the current state of online retail and some concerning trends for Australian ecommerce when compared to the figures seen in America and the rest of the world. 

Wayne Rigney, the Co-Founder of tRS, provides an insightful overview of the past month's performance (January 2024) for Australian retailers in the latest podcast episode. Using anonymised data from over 100 leading retailers in Australia, ensuring that the statistics and insights shared are both relevant and enlightening for all listeners.   In addition to discussing January's outcomes, Wayne delves into the ongoing cost of living crisis in Australia and its impact on retailers, the struggling exchange rate and its affects on businesses across various sectors as well as a host of other industry-wide insights based off January's findings.

Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of tRS, discusses results from the recent Christmas and boxing Day trading period. Wayne takes a look at the aggregated results from over 100 of Australia's leading retail brands, breaking down key KPI movements over the period, comparing them on alike for like basis to last year.  Wayne also discusses the Australian retail landscape in general, some trends to keep an eye on, and what retailers can expect heading in to 2024. 

Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of tRS, discusses results from the recent Black Friday trading period, what we have seen in the weeks post-Black Friday, what to expect come Christmas time & some predictions for what retailers can expect as we head into the new year.

Welcome to the Retail Scoreboard, a podcast series diving in to the world of Australian retail, powered by the Retail Score.  Wayne Rigney, Co-Founder of the Retail Score, discusses the current state of the Australian retail landscape, the trends in regards to discounting and stock levels in retail at the moment, what to expect for Black Friday week in 2023 & more.