If you’re a fledgling franchisor, a loyalty program to help franchisees’ customer retention should be in your plan, advises consumer expert Amanda Stevens.

Spending by Australian consumers rose just 0.2 per cent in September, the weakest monthly increase in 16 months.

“A Cheat’s Guide? What’s that?” Well, it’s certainly not a guide to cheating in a franchise. It’s about helping you know some of the smart things to look at on the numbers side when you’re buying a franchise.

Two views on leadership from high performing franchise executives.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Franchise Council of Australia appear to be at odds over the best way to counter non-compliance in franchising.

Hire A Hubby has scored a hat trick at the national awards night celebrating franchising excellence.

A recent Federal Court decision regarding the rights of casual workers in the mining industry could have implications for the retail sector, according to the National Retail Association, which says it opens a “can of worms”.

Good governance is crucial to the franchising sector, says former premier, Hon Jeff Kennett AC, at the keynote session at the National Franchise Convention in Melbourne.

Now is the time for the franchising sector to face up to its responsibilities, take action over substantial concerns, and self-regulate.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has struck out at the franchising sector, calling for a strengthened Franchising Code of Conduct, including increasing penalties and encouraging more meaningful disclosure of information, to protect franchisees.

Consumer sentiment has seemingly stabilised following a two-month fall caused by a Liberal party leadership spill, mortgage rate increases, declining house prices and rising petrol prices weighing on the Australian public.

Change is crucial to the survival of most things – from studying natural history to learning from the great business leaders of our times.