Swatch is ripping you off: ex-boss

MICHAEL BACHELARD People who pay $4000 for an Omega watch may be paying an inflated price that has been illegally set to maintain the brand's exclusivity, according to the man who used to run the company.

Shout out your message

NINA HENDY Devising the best way to spruik a business is half the battle these days, as Nina Hendy reports.

Entrepreneur

Baby steps: Mr Natural takes a bite out of Heinz

JULIAN LEE A FORMER restaurateur who started an all-natural premium baby food brand from scratch two years ago has taken millions of dollars in market share from the food giant Heinz, and is setting his sights on Nestle.

International

New York garment district battling for survival

MICHELLE NICHOLS New York's reputation as a global fashion capital is under threat with the city's once bustling garment district facing extinction, experts say.

More woes for digital battler

DAN OAKES A struggling Melbourne company that paid Paris Hilton hundreds of thousands of dollars to attend a New Year's Eve party is now embroiled in a dispute with a major shareholder.

Marketing

How to stand out from the pack

MEGAN JOHNSTON Finding a point of difference is just a start. Your business also depends on delivery, writes Megan Johnston.

Marketing

Kylie Minogue Australia's most powerful brand

Singer Kylie Minogue beats sports stars, media moguls and even the prime minister in a survey of Australia's most powerful personal brands.

Online marketing

Welcome to dot.Sydney

DAVID WILSON It might soon be possible to have a domain name that reflects your location.

Research

The cutting edge of cheese research

BRIDIE SMITH Research into how cheese crumb;es could help Victorian cheese makers increase their sales.

Retail

Going to the dogs

JULIANNE DOWLING US retailer JC Penney had a viral hit on its hands last year with its 'doghouse' video: but following up that success wasn't so easy, marketing chief Ruby Anik tells Julianne Dowling.

Licencing

RCG cuts winning deal for Athlete's Foot

ELI GREENBLAT RCG Corporation has signed new long term licence agreements for its The Athlete's Foot business in Australia and New Zealand under which it will pay no ongoing licence fees to the US licensor.

Microsoft and Yahoo tie-up

No quick answers as local players size up search deal

JULIAN LEE It's not often that when people say it's business as usual they really mean it. But for the Australian divisions of Microsoft and Yahoo, it is probably true.

Buy Australian campaign

Reality bites when theory rules the roost

JOHN LEGGE Giving preference to Australian companies will help create jobs.

Property

Google faces property ads war

JULIAN LEE Google faces greatest challenge yet to its might in Australia as two of its largest media customers threaten to pull their business.

Tourism

Victorian tourism counts the cost after swine flu

MARK RUSSELL Victoria's major tourist attractions are suffering the effects of swine flu, with overseas visitors fearful of catching the virus staying away in droves.

Marketing

Listen, it's a sign of the times

ALLAN RODD Customers will tell you all you need to know about your business, writes Allan Rodd.

Shopping

Costco readies first Australian outlets

Competition in the grocery market may be about to hot up as Costco Wholesale prepares to open its first Australian stores.

Marketing

Broom times: fringe magazines find their niche

COSIMA MARRINER Beyond the usual mass-market fashion, lifestyle, business, motoring and sport titles, newsagent shelves are crammed with niche publishing.

Marketing

Brands back in vogue at upmarket food chain

JULIAN LEE Woolworths' new purchase, Thomas Dux is doubling the number of household names it stocks after customers complained there were not enough on offer.