As of March 2025, the gross operating profit of businesses in the retail trade industry in Australia amounted to approximately 6.83 billion Australian dollars. The highest gross operating profit of retail trade businesses was recorded in December 2020.

In 2011, the net profit margin of the mining industry's 40 leading companies was approximately 24 percent. Thirteen years later, in 2024, the net profit margin stood at 11 percent. Profits of the top mining companies The net profit margin (also known as profit margin, net margin, net profit ratio) is a measurement to describe the profitability of a company. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the total revenue (or net profit by sales). For 2024, it means that the top 40 mining companies kept 11 cents of profit out of every U.S. dollar they earned. The average net profit margin of the world’s top 40 mining companies stood at some seven percent in 2014, but decreased to negative seven percent in 2015, and then rebounded to 11 percent in both 2023 and 2024. These figures are a distinct decrease when compared to the years before. In 2024, the top 40 mining companies in the world generated a net profit of approximately 88 billion U.S. dollars.These global top mining companies, which represent the vast majority of the industry, generated more than 867 billion U.S. dollars of revenue in 2024. In terms of quantity, these companies produce most of all coal (including thermal and metallurgical coal), iron ore, and bauxite.

Supermarkets have maintained stable volume-driven business strategies amid a pricing environment that has been in the spotlight. Conflict in the Middle East, avian flu outbreaks and other inflationary pressures have driven prices up, with many stores passing on these costs to consumers. While consumers are paying more for groceries and upstream suppliers are seeing their margins shrink, supermarkets Coles and Woolworths have maintained relatively stable profit margins, among the highest in the world. The continued expansion of Aldi and Amazon has forced the two established industry giants to shift gears recently to remain price-competitive on both the physical store and online service fronts, launching short-term price discounting initiatives. These supermarket giants also rely on loyalty programs and promotions. Coles and Woolworths have displayed interest in data analytics, strengthening their relationships with analytics data giants like Palantir to optimise their marketing and operational processes. The ACCC's landmark supermarkets inquiry, while not finding evidence of price gouging, identified 20 key recommendations that would ensure a more sustainable market and avoid oligopolistic exploitation. Supermarket and grocery revenue rose significantly following the COVID-19 outbreak. A combination of panic buying, along with the suspension of many specials and promotions in supermarkets, boosted grocery turnover at the beginning of the period, spiking revenue for the two years through 2020-21. This high benchmark at the start of the period has resulted in an industry correction and an annualised revenue contraction of 0.4% to $144.3 billion over the five years through 2025-26. Revenue is estimated to climb 0.4% in 2025-26, reflecting the price-driven industry growth that falling tobacco sales have offset. Supermarkets and grocery stores are set to perform well, with industry revenue slated to climb at an annualised 1.5% through 2030-31 to $155.6 billion. Population growth will remain a key growth factor that stores rely on, as many continue a volume-driven business approach to generating revenue. Should the transparency-related recommendations from the ACCC's inquiry be implemented, some price-driven growth may be curtailed. Eventually, when inflationary pressures subside and consumer sentiment returns to a positive level, supermarkets and grocers will be well-positioned to take advantage of consumer appetite for value-added and premium goods. Strong growth in online sales is set to continue.

The Wireless Telecommunications Carriers industry has endured economic challenges over the past few years. At the height of the pandemic, carriers faced difficulties acquiring new customers because of reduced international visitors and workers relying on their wired at-home networks during movement restrictions. As pandemic restrictions eased in 2022-23, industry revenue started to rebound, but a mounting cost-of-living crisis stymied the recovery. Falling consumer sentiment led many customers to switch to prepaid plans and reduce spending on mobile phone upgrades, limiting post-pandemic revenue growth and margins. Overall, revenue has dropped by an expected 0.1% to $22.7 billion over the five years through 2025-26. This includes a 0.8% drop in 2025-26, as consumer spending remains stymied by moderate inflation, labour market uncertainty and high interest rates. Industry margins have recovered slightly from a low base year in 2020-21, but remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Profit margins have been pressured by rising wage costs, as investment in AI and automation has boosted hiring of high-skilled tech workers, increasing average salaries, even as overall employment in the industry declined. Additionally, telecoms have struggled to increase the prices of their plans to pre-pandemic levels, amid weaker consumer sentiment and strong competition for subscribers. Meanwhile, Optus' issues with network reliability and cybersecurity have seen the company post losses over the three years through 2024-25, driving down overall average margins. The industry's return to revenue growth over the next five years is set to be limited by high market share concentration, falling population growth and limited ability to increase revenue per customer amid continued weakness in consumer sentiment. Revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 1.7%, totalling $24.8 billion, through the end of 2030-31. Over the next five years, anaemic growth, rising wage costs – as salaries for high-skilled tech workers rise – and the need for continued investments in bolstering and expanding mobile networks and new AI platforms are all expected to further diminish average margins.

Laundry and dry-cleaning businesses have taken a hit in recent years as the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the industry over the two years through 2020-21. Economic disruption and restrictions on movement, gatherings and travel have slashed demand from households and the hospitality sector. Working from home has enabled customers freedom of not having to dress up in ironed shirts and suits to go to the workplace, shrinking demand for dry-cleaning services. The popularity of synthetics and other fabrics that don't require dry cleaning has also impacted industry revenue. Revenue is expected to slump at an average of 3.4% annually over the five years through 2023-24, to $2.3 billion. This trend includes an estimated dip of 1.7% in 2023-24 owing to a push down in household discretionary income. Rising price competition and deteriorating economic conditions have constrained the industry's performance. Industry businesses have continued to contend with a shift in demand mix. Households have slowed, as changing consumer preferences regarding clothing and household textiles have reduced demand for dry-cleaning and carpet-cleaning services. Businesses in healthcare and hospitality have increasingly outsourced laundry services to cut costs and improve efficiencies, partly offsetting the downward trends. Overall declines in industry revenue have squeezed profit margins. The proliferation of on-demand services and smartphone apps has made it easier for customers to schedule and track their laundry and dry cleaning needs. Industry providers have increasingly striven to appeal to the modern, hectic lifestyle by offering their clients flexibility and ease of use. Industry demand conditions are poised to improve as economic conditions recover from high interest rates and inflation. Revenue is on track to rebound at an average of 2.3% over the five years through 2028-29, to $2.6 billion. Continued trends towards outsourcing are going to likely support the industry's growth. Consumer preferences are set to continue shifting away from products that require laundry and dry-cleaning services, holding back revenue growth. Consumer preferences are evolving, and they are becoming more environmentally conscious. Laundries and dry cleaners must limit their environmental impact by offering environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and utilising energy-efficient equipment.