FEAR & GREED | Business News Shock jump in inflation; Woolworths hammered; bosses slam WFH as Greens call for law
Aug 27, 2025
Surprising inflation spikes threaten hopes for rate cuts. Woolworths struggles against fierce competition from Coles, hitting investors hard. Business leaders push back on remote work policies just as new legislation is proposed. The spring property market is set to boom as buyer confidence rises. Meanwhile, professionals wrestle with adapting to AI amidst the growing pressures of their regular jobs. Plus, hear about a fascinating art theft recovery story involving a WWII painting rediscovered in Argentina.
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Federal Push For WFH Hits Business Pushback
- The Greens pushed a federal right-to-work-from-home law but the federal government rejected it.
- Business groups and the Productivity Commission favour enterprise-level negotiation over blanket national rules.
Woolworths Profit Plunge And Big W Woes
- Woolworths reported a 17% fall in full-year profit as strikes, supply chain issues and Big W losses bit.
- The group is losing market share to Coles and absorbed supplier costs instead of passing them to customers.
Big W Loss Fuels Spin-Off Talk
- Big W recorded a $35 million loss and was moved to a separate tech platform, fuelling spin-off speculation.
- Woolworths' shares fell ~15% on the disappointing update.
