That time has arrived once again – we are officially in ‘pre-Christmas trade’! As we all know, that can mean frantic attempts keep clothes on hangers rather than change room floors; clearing tried-on footwear again and again and again; helping indecisive gift-buyers find that special something; and the never-ending carols loop (that sends your staff […]
Two weeks ago I wrote to you about the New South Wales Government’s reforms to gift cards, extending the minimum validity period to three years. As I said at the time, the NRA was not supportive of the changes, but we understood the government’s motivation in terms of protecting consumers and helping them to maximise […]
The SMH this week reported that consultancy firm McKinsey has forecast the volume of freight passing through Australian cities is projected to increase 40 per cent by 2050, driven in part by ecommerce. With the added weight of Urban Futurist Stephen Yarwood’s predictions online retail could fast-tract autonomous transport, it’s easy to feel a sense […]
This week we saw the NSW Government pass its laws extending the minimum lifespan of gift cards from one year to three years. I know from speaking to many members that this will cause headaches in a range of areas – from accounting for unused cards on your balance sheets through to regulatory red tape […]
The reporting over the past week on the penalty rates case has been fascinating to say the least. In many ways, it has illustrated how deeply Australian’s misconceptions have been about the issue, but more importantly, how easy it has been for those with a vested interest to heighten those misconceptions to erode the country’s […]
It’s that time of year again – the dust has settled on the annual ‘too soon?’ media narrative after the fruit mince pies have hit the grocery store shelves; the warm weather’s sparking daydreams about tropical, end of year holidays; and staff in corporate offices are locking down dates for the work Christmas party. For […]
Two challenges to the penalty rates ruling brought by worker unions have now been heard in the Federal Court, with both cases heard together last week, in front of a full bench in Melbourne. After joining other employer and business groups including the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Hotels Association and the NSW Business Chamber […]
Last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) began rolling out the new $10 note into the Australian economy, equipped with a raft of security measures to safeguard against counterfeiting. Just like with new $5 note introduced 12 months ago, the flashy new note features a clear window from top-to-bottom, complex holograms and parts that […]
We would like to take this opportunity to notify our membership that we are farewelling Troy Wild, NRA’s Director, Legal Division, who has been a great support to all of you over the past 12 months. We thank Troy for his contribution to the NRA and the retail industry and wish him well in his […]
The retail trade figures for July released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week showed that the industry enjoyed a solid start to the financial year. I’m always aware that these figures vary from state to state and sector to sector, but on the whole it was encouraging to see the 3.5 per cent […]
With another Father’s Day done and dusted the retail industry will now set its sight towards the busy Christmas trade period. While we don’t quite have the final figures yet, the NRA is confident that total retail sales for Father’s Day 2017 tipped the $800 million mark for the first time ever. I hope that […]
The retail sector is showing signs of recovery after a relatively flat year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) trade figures released Thursday have revealed a 0.3 per cent increase in June to $26.15 billion seasonally adjusted. Retail sales have now risen for three consecutive months, with June’s higher than the market expectations of 0.2 per […]
Is speed really the new currency of business? There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year for retailers, as consumers continued tightening their discretionary spending purses. Shoppers have been rather prudent, and Deloitte Access Economics’ Retail Risk Review has forecast that it could take some time for this to turn around, and lift from its […]
We’re never really not shopping, we’re just doing it differently. Take the mid-season sales for example, which have been in full swing around the country. Consumer outcomes are maximised during retail events like the seasonal sales, which play an integral role in retailers’ overall marketing strategies. Usually, consumers will shop around their lifestyles, but when it comes […]
We had high hopes for this year’s Federal Budget, delivered in the midst of major challenges to the retail landscape, including weaker retail sales over three of the past four quarters, and an ever-increasing influx of overseas competitors. Despite it following the tough medicine approach of 2014 that sent shockwaves through retail, and the next […]
MEDIA RELEASE The National Retail Association (NRA) has warned that Labor’s private members bill, introduced to parliament today to block the Fair Work Commission’s reduction in Sunday penalty rates, sets a dangerous precedent for all independent ruling bodies across the nation. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that leveraging political interests to undermine the independence of […]
This week, the Federal Opposition has indicated it will move a private members bill to retrospectively legislate against any cuts to penalty rates, after the independent Fair Work Commission’s ruling of a reduction in five out of the 122 modern awards. While it was an entirely independent decision, made by a Commission who thoroughly examined […]
A fortnight on from the penalty rates decision, the accompanying discourse seems to be taking on a life of its own, and devaluing the lengthy and carefully-considered processes behind the decision from the Fair Work Commission. I’ve been particularly saddened to see this independent decision politicised and brandished as a weapon in the gender equality debate […]
MEDIA RELEASE March 6, 2017 The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today released its retail trade figures for January 2017, which demonstrate a solid increase of 3.2 per cent on the January 2016 figures. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the figures represented a promising sign to the start of 2017 for retail. But Ms […]
Last week, the NRA was concerned to hear the Federal Government announce that they would be cracking down on so-called ‘dodgy franchisees’ through the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017, which currently sits before the federal parliament. The legislation seeks to make franchisors more responsible for underpayment of employees by franchisees and in […]