Retail

Olvera Advisors supports retailers across all categories and at every stage. Stabilise, transform, and grow with our team.

Guiding retailers through significant transformation

Australia's retail sector is undergoing its most significant structural shift since the emergence of modern shopping centres in the 1980s. The industry generates more than $420 billion in annual turnover and employs approximately 1.35 million Australians, yet the business models that sustained retailers for decades are being fundamentally challenged.

Discretionary spending remains under pressure as households prioritise essentials amid elevated interest rates and cost-of-living pressures. At the same time, global platforms such as Temu and Shein are reshaping competitive dynamics, mid-market retailers face margin compression, and the economics of large store networks are being re-evaluated.

At Olvera Advisors, we help retailers navigate these structural shifts with insight and deep operational expertise.

Our team brings proven experience across supermarkets, apparel, specialty retail, marketplaces, and big-box formats. We work alongside directors and leadership teams to build actionable turnaround and growth plans grounded in real economic realities.

With Olvera, you'll partner with advisors who can move from initial assessment to cash preservation within weeks. We embed as part of your team, design executable strategies efficiently, and align our fee structure with your outcomes.

KEY TRENDS

What We’re Seeing in the Retail Industry

Consumer behaviour, global competition, and cost pressures are reshaping every retail category.
Grocery & Liquor
Supermarkets and liquor retailers remain under close ACCC scrutiny on pricing and promotions, while consumer sensitivity to cost-of-living pressures stays elevated. Freight and insurance costs continue to fluctuate due to global shipping disruptions, and premium SKUs face pressure as shoppers trade down.
Discretionary retailers remain highly vulnerable to insolvency risk, particularly in fashion and specialty apparel. Ultra-low-cost cross-border platforms are intensifying competition. Supply chain delays, rising return rates, and increasing regulatory obligations around sustainability add further strain.
Large-format and value retailers are caught in relentless promotion cycles that erode thin margins. Direct-from-manufacturer marketplaces heighten price competition, while retail theft continues to affect store operations. Balancing volume growth with profitability remains a constant challenge.
Online retail now accounts for approximately 14–15% of total retail spending, up from less than 7% before the pandemic. Privacy regulations are tightening, requiring clearer consent frameworks, and cross-border logistics remain volatile, affecting delivery reliability and cost.
Statistics

Statistics at a Glance

Approximately 1.35 million Australians are employed in the retail sector, making it one of the largest employment categories in the country (ABS).
Online sales account for around 14 to 15 percent of total retail spending in Australia (Australia Post).
Over 17 million Australians shop online, representing roughly 64 percent of the population (Australia Post).
Retail insolvencies rose 34 percent year on year in FY25, reflecting mounting financial pressure across the sector (ASIC).
Coles and Woolworths together hold approximately 67 percent of the Australian grocery market (ACCC).
HOW WE CAN HELP

Our Retail and Consumer Expertise

With decades of advisory experience, we support businesses with effective risk management, insolvency, and restructuring strategies. Here is how we can help

Margin & Cost Defence

Four-week diagnostic across stores and online to identify margin leakages, as well as store-level P&L analysis to prioritise closures, resets, or refits. We also create a true landed-margin model by channel, so retailers can see exactly where profitability is being eroded.

Working Capital & Inventory

Establish integrated sales forecasting and inventory planning processes to reduce aged stock and excess product lines, alongside strategies to convert surplus inventory into cash. We also manage supplier term renegotiations, payment scheduling, and rebate recovery to unlock working capital.

Portfolio & Footprint Optimisation

Assess trade area performance against occupancy costs to identify opportunities for lease renegotiation, restructuring, or exiting low-yield sites. Our team also prepares robust landlord packs backed by evidence, supporting any abatements or CAPEX contributions.

The Olvera Difference

Why Partner with Us?

With decades of combined restructuring and advisory experience, our team offers sound advice in all business scenarios.

Solution Focused

We focus on maximising returns and planning for the best outcomes. With milestones and value-based billings, our goal is always to find the right solutions first.

Intelligently Innovative

Working in small teams, we believe in delivering creative, executable plans. Our team is highly resource-driven, utilising our vast networks whenever possible.

Relationship Driven

We see the people and potential behind the numbers. Our service is personable and long-term focused, with the right balance between financial and individual.

Olvera Report

The True Cost of Easy Returns in Australian E-Commerce

Discover how Australian retailers can reduce return rates, cut costs, and improve sustainability, without sacrificing customer experience.
Our Experts

Olvera’s Retail Experts

Our team of specialist advisors are dedicated to providing expert guidance and personalised solutions for your business.

Damien Hodgkinson

Principal

Damien develops strategic solutions for groups dealing in crisis management and/or distress investment.

Neil Cussen

Neil Cussen

Principal

Neil Cussen, a leading authority in insolvency and restructuring, offers 35 years of experience, excelling in asset tracing, business recovery, and cross-border insolvencies.

Case Studies

Olvera’s Case Studies

Read about our successful client case studies. 

Resources

Latest Insights, News, and Reports

Read our latest articles and insights on the world of business insolvency in Australia.

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