Message from the CEO – 2 October 2018

dom's ceo column

Earlier this week PayPal released its mCommerce Index which surveyed over 1,000 consumers and 400 businesses. The report contained some interesting findings that the retail industry should acknowledge. Rest assured, the NRA has long maintained that traditional bricks and mortar outlets will continue to be at the forefront of the Australian retail scene. However, a […]

Supermarkets step up to meet global plastic challenge on World Environment Day

Media Release: Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg, says Australians used 5.66 billion single-use plastic bags last financial year. Some of which contributed to the 13 million tonnes of plastic which makes its way into our oceans each year, entangling or being eaten by marine life such as turtles, […]

Shape your exporting future

The Australian Chamber conducts an annual International Trade Survey to underpin its advocacy efforts in this area and help make Australia a great place to do business. The survey helps the Chamber develop a profile of Australian business engaging in international trade, the benefits they are reaping as well as issues faced. It also informs […]

Retailers band together to combat scammers

Brisbane CBD and Fortitude Valley retailers will band together next week, in the Australia-first, National Retail Association (NRA) SafeCity Network trial to share their experiences of retail crime, on the back of a spate of scammer incidents in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. NRA Policy Manager David Stout said that local businesses were fed up […]

Fast fashion giants struggling in Australia

Mornings with Steve Austin The Retail Panel is back with more retail insights from Dominique Lamb (CEO NRA), Gary Mortimer (QUT School of Business), and Christine Moody (Brand Audits). Consumer demand is shifting away from fast fashion, and focusing more on unique, better quality products. A number of major international retailers are struggling in Australia. Have […]

ABS retail figures show stable period for July 2017

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures for July 2017 released earlier today show a stable start for the industry in the second-half of the year. For the month of July, the trend estimate for Australian turnover rose by 0.3 per cent, closely in line with 0.4 per cent increases recorded in May […]

Container deposit scheme proposed for Tassie

Container Deposit Scheme

POLICY & ADVOCACY > TASMANIA The Tasmanian Government has announced that it has instructed its Environment Protection Authority to provide advice on the possibility of introducing a container deposit scheme (CDS). Before the Government introduces any such scheme, the National Retail Association has asked that they consult with the retail industry to ensure that no […]

Sweet expansion for Doughnut Time

From lawyer to King of Doughnuts, Damian Griffiths is expanding his empire to include a premium Sydney location. Doughnut Time has rapidly expanded since opening 16 months ago, growing from one small Brisbane store to over 27 stores across Australia. According to Griffiths, the key has been creating a recognisable and trusted brand with a […]

Free returns lure new customers

Online fashion retail giant ASOS is going from strength to strength with sales surging in recent months and the company is only getting started. ASOS recently announced that shoppers will be able to return products free of charge. Working with Temando and Australia Post, customers were previously able to return goods for a fee. ParcelPoint […]

Google analyses the path to purchase

Understanding your customers’ journey to purchase isn’t always an easy process. As a retailer you are likely using multiple marketing channels to reach your customer and push your product. So how do you know which channels to push and when? Is there any point to paid search or email marketing? At what stage does your […]

Retail sales improve as temperatures plummet

South-east Australia has recently seen temperature plummet with wild weather bringing howling winds and light snow showers, even in the sunshine state of Queensland. Heaters have been dusted off and ugg boots finally seeing the light of day with weeks of winter chill predicted. Retailers however, should not start dreaming of summer just yet. The […]

Top tips for mature aged workers

It is projected that over the next 40 years, the proportion of the population over 65 years will almost double to around 25 per cent. At the same time, growth in the population of traditional workforce age is expected to slow to almost zero. With growth in the number of people of workforce age expected […]

Are you Australia’s next Medium Retailer of the Year?

The National Retail Association’s (NRA) Rewards for Excellence nominations are closing in just under 4 weeks’ time. Do you have between 20 to 199 employees? If yes, nominate today and your business could be crowned the NRA 2016 Rewards for Excellence Medium Retailer of the Year. This awards program, and in particular the Medium Retailer […]

2016 Top 50 People in E-Commerce published

Internet Retailing has launched the 2016 Top 50 People in E-Commerce publication. Selected by Internet Retailing and a panel of e-commerce experts, the annual Top 50 People in E-Commerce recognises the biggest and brightest talents in the Australian e-commerce industry. To be eligible, individuals must be responsible for driving e-commerce operations within their business, with […]

Next Generation Banknote Program

As part of the Next Generation Banknote Program (NGB), the Reserve Bank of Australia this week released images of the new $5 banknote that will be issued into circulation from 1 September 2016. Mindful of the increasing threat posed by counterfeiters, the NGB project will culminate in new, more secure banknotes being introduced over the […]

Moving from multi-channel to omnichannel retailing

In today’s digital world, it is not uncommon for retailers to trade through multiple channels. It’s almost become a mandatory accessory to have an online store associated to your physical store but at what point can you consider your retail business to be operating through multi-channels or an omnichannel business. The answer is simple. If […]

Working Holiday Visa – What you need to know!

The Working Holiday visa program in Australia is a great way for young people aged between 18 and 30 to visit Australia and earn some money while they’re here. It’s quick, easy and cheap to apply for if you’re from one of the countries party to an agreement with Australia. So why does the 417 […]

Have your say on the Australian Consumer Law

Consumer Affairs Australian and New Zealand is conducting a review of the Australian Consumer Law. An Issues Paper relating to this review has been released, which can be viewed here. Feedback is being sought on the following topics: 1. Consumer policy in Australia;2. The legal framework;3. Administration and enforcement; and4. Emerging consumer policy issues. The […]

Customer based sexual harassment prevalent in the Australian service sector

A recent study, published in Gender, Work and Organization, suggests that customer-perpetrated sexual harassment is prevalent across the Australian service sector, including the retail industry. The study, titled “‘But it’s your job to be friendly’: Employees coping with and contesting sexual harassment from customers in the service industry,” suggests that 9 per cent of all […]