The idea of transforming an apartment into retail space is common in Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore, which are well known for their vertical-style of retailing in apartment buildings. But doing it in Melbourne is relatively new.

The recession of the 1990s was followed by innovation and new business activity in the Melbourne CBD. Small bars opened, laneways were activated, and inner-city living took off. We are seeing something similar happening now.

A shortage of space in the fast-growing luxury, top end of Collins Street has pushed new international retail brands into Russell Street. Flinders Lane and Exhibition Street are next.

Retail investors in Qantas vented their frustration during an at-times hostile shareholder meeting on Friday, delivering a scathing criticism of Alan Joyce’s performance and cautious optimism on the board’s ability to recover from past blunders.

Rice and noodles made from WA oats will soon be on supermarket shelves after a Perth company inked a deal with the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre to begin commercial-scale production.