Retail

A judge has questioned a class action firm’s claim that it and its counsel spent 180 hours and $63,000 in fees preparing pleadings in an underpayments class action against supermarket chain Drakes, saying the number of hours was not “reasonable”.

Woolworths unit MyDeal has begun contacting 2.2 million customers whose data has been compromised in the latest data breach to hit a major Australian company.

A judge has rejected a class action law firm’s challenge to her decision to slash its fees in two underpayments class actions against supermarket chain Romeo’s after finding it “seriously breached” rules of the legal profession. 

A judge has approved a $2.2 million settlement in a class action on behalf of Drakes store managers who were allegedly underpaid but has deferred her approval of fees charged by the law firm — the same firm that saw its fees cut in two similar class actions.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has brought action against Harvey Norman over allegedly misleading ads about its interest-free finance.

The Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees’ Association has struck a blow for Aldi warehouse workers, with a judge ordering the supermarket giant to backpay its workers for unpaid pre-work duties undertaken since 2018.

Two former executives of defunct electronics retailer Dick Smith have asked the High Court to hear their challenge to a $11.8 million damages award for approving a dividend payment the company could not afford.

A judge has signed off on a $1.55 million settlement to resolve two underpayments class actions against supermarket chain Romeo’s, but has reduced the pay out to the law firm running the cases by 25 per cent, saying the firm had “no legal entitlement” to the fees.

Noni B owner Mosaic Brands has paid $266,400 in fines after allegedly misleading customers about selling “FDA approved” face masks and “ACCC approved” hot water bottles.

Online book retailer Booktopia has agreed to a $6 million penalty to resolve action brought by the consumer regulator alleging its refund policy was misleading.