news.com.au

Bananas, sugar growers worst hit by Tropical Cyclone Yasi

TROPICAL Cyclone Yasi has caused widespread damage and personal loss to Far North Queensland but the overall economic impact for the year is expected to be limited, experts say. While the insurance industry says it is still too early to have an accurate picture of full impact of Yasi, Commonwealth…

Qantas loses fight with Falun Gong flight attendant

QANTAS has been ordered to reinstate a flight attendant banned from international duties over her practise of Falun Gong. Sheridan Genrich, from Sydney’s Lane Cove, was demoted to a short-haul attendant after she was threatened by authorities during a 2008 stopover in Beijing and deported because of her spiritual beliefs…

Cult fashion label Ed Hardy collapsed owing $15 million

CELEBRITY cult fashion label Ed Hardy collapsed owing creditors more than $15 million, including about $500,000 owed to employees, liquidators said. A second creditors meeting voted to wind up Ed Hardy Operations on Monday after Deloitte was appointed voluntary administrators last month. The move only relates to Ed Hardy’s Australian…

The IKEA ‘honey pot’ effect

IKEA stores have a “honey pot” effect on surrounding retailers, driving up sales with the furniture chain’s ability to draw large crowds of shoppers from long distances, a retail analyst says. Deutsche Bank’s Alexi Baker-McLennan says retailers which benefit most are those with complementary home-focused offerings like appliances, storage, Manchester…