Who would’ve known just how big of a win Woolworths’ acquisition of the Dan Murphy’s liquor chain back in 1998 would prove to be. In our lead story this week, Jared Dickson looks at how the current struggles of Coles Liquor Group can be traced back to Coles’ failure to beat Woolworths to Dan Murphy’s.

And while on the subject of acquisitions, The Munro Group has made its second significant move in less than four months. Having acquired Wanted Shoes in March, The Munro Group has just acquired Victoria-based Mountfords Shoes and has designs on taking the chain national. More on those plans in this issue.

Cos, H&M’s upmarket offshoot, is also on the move this week. In an Inside Retail PREMIUM exclusive, we reveal where – and when – Cos will open its second Australian store.

Elsewhere in Inside Retail PREMIUM this week, you’ll also read about Lush’s big win at the ARA Awards, large format retailers eyeing off South Australia, and the forthcoming Leaders Summit Breakfast.

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