Whistleblowers who come forward with information about alleged unfair business practices by supermarket giant Countdown can do so under cover of anonymity.

The company that ran Nando's in NZ had defaulted on royalty payments and owed $1.6m to its bank when it went into receivership, according to the first receivers' report.

Countdown owner Progressive Enterprises has confirmed it received up to $2m from a liquor company - but denies it's a payment Labour's Shane Jones was talking about.

Consumers would be the ultimate losers if supermarkets were extracting retrospective payments from their suppliers, Commerce Minister Craig Foss said this afternoon.

It has taken three decades, but New Zealand food manufacturer Cookie Time has established its first overseas venture, opening a store in Japan.

Since Key's return, the PM's department has reached out to various New Zealand businesses to ask them for their views, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

The most romantic day of the year is a problem many men and women throw money at. Yet there are plenty of ways to save money on Valentine's Day and still be romantic.

Dressed in expensive suits and designer frocks, they make a beeline for Britomart bars like Tyler Street Garage and 1885.

Customers are being tracked by bugging devices fixed to their shopping trolleys and baskets as they shop in an Auckland supermarket.

Budget retailer the Warehouse is warning its first-half profit will fall by as much as 13 percent after strong Christmas sales failed to compensate for a margin squeeze in the first quarter.

Shares in lightbulb maker Energy Mad surged after it announced it had begun selling its energy-efficient products online in the United States through internet retail giant Amazon.

Hallenstein Glasson Holdings, whose shares have shed 21 percent in the past 12 months, said first-half profit will fall about 39 percent,

So-called "showrooming" and "click and collect" will be two major retail trends in 2014, according to an industry commentator.

Retailers are "over the moon" at record Boxing Day sales on Thursday.

Eftpos transactions reached record highs today as Kiwi shoppers, filled with "Christmas spirit'', packed out stores around the country.

Paymark figures show shoppers spending up large as malls brace for last-minute Christmas splurge.

Kiwis are going to have to swap their limes for lemons this summer if they want to avoid rising prices.

People will be heading for the great outdoors to try out their presents this Christmas, if Trade Me searches are any indication.

Our Kiwi retailers have been embracing digital change. This doesn't mean they're abandoning their High St stores.

Businesses are smiling, frazzled customers are queuing and there are still nine more days of shopping to go.