Metcash’s writedown of its full year earnings this week signals some broader concerns for CEO, Ian Morrice, which you can read all about in our lead story this week.

Inside Retail was on hand for the opening of Forever 21’s flagship in Sydney’s Pitt St Mall this week – which is covered off here by Claire Hibbit, who also looks at how low budget fashion has become big money in Australia. Elsewhere in this issue, our obituary to Alan Bond looks back at Bond’s ill-fated foray into retail in the early 80s.

In our International section this week, Robert Stockdill looks at how UK giant Tesco is weighing up options to offload its £6 billion South Korean business, Homeplus. We also cover Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma’s visit to the US this week.

You’ll also read the thoughts of long-serving Inside Retail PREMIUM columnist, Jon Bird, on shopper marketing and its relationship to consumer marketing – with a neat tie-in to Don Draper and Mad Men.

If you have a suggestion for a story or an anonymous tip off for our team, email irnews@octomedia.com.au – all suggestions and story tips are received in confidentiality.

If you’re not already an Inside Retail PREMIUM subscriber, view a sample issue here.

If you’d like to receive Inside Retail PREMIUM in your inbox each Friday morning, check out our subscription deals.

For information on obtaining a multiple or corporate subscription, please email subs@octomedia.com.au or phone (02) 9901 1800