As we enter the final week before Christmas, I will keep it nice and brief for this week’s CEO column. The Australian retail sector is again on track to record the highest level of sales for the Christmas trade period. We have forecast $48 billion to be spent nationally in retail sales throughout this period, […]
Brisbane retailers are teaming up with the Brisbane City Council and Crime Stoppers in a high-tech bid to stamp out crime in the CBD and Fortitude Valley. The National Retail Association’s SafeCity Network will be switched on in March next year, thanks to backing from the Federal Government’s Safer Streets program and support from the […]
There has been more in the media this week about retail stores doing it tough and some having to close up shop. While we love to celebrate the retail success stories in this industry, we know that behind every one, there are countless others that don’t turn out so rosy. There’s no denying it’s a […]
As buy now, pay later options sweep the retail industry, the National Retail Association has partnered with Openpay to ensure members remain at the forefront of modern payment systems. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is quickly moving from a trend to an expectation for consumers that want, or need, to afford to spend more. With […]
Today the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its retail figures for October which show an increase in retail turnover of 0.5 per cent, seasonally adjusted. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that the figures show that retail is awakening from its slumber following sluggish results in previous months. “Australian retail had experienced three consecutive months […]
After what seems like an eternity, the penalty rates issue flared again this week, after the Senate passed measures to reverse the decision of the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to reduce Sunday and public holiday rates. Labor teamed up with the Greens and some crossbenchers to pass amendments to the Government’s bill, […]
Why we won’t be taking money from Amazon to advocate its agenda over yours After months of speculation, Amazon’s soft launch on Friday came and went without much ado, however we would be foolish to underestimate how aggressive the behemoth’s market entry will become over the coming months, and years. Amazon has established its extraordinary […]
Australia’s two leading retail industry groups have joined forces to help retailers move in response to the rapidly changing business environment. Australia’s largest and most representative retail industry group, the National Retail Association, and the established business network connecting and supporting online retailers, NORA, have today announced a national-first partnership. The new partnership will allow […]
Today we can share with you an exciting development for the association, that will open up entirely new avenues for retailers all across the nation. After almost a century representing retailers of all sizes across the nation, we have today announced a national-first partnership with the National Online Retail Association (NORA), allowing us to combine […]
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 […]
Retailers praise Federal Court for preserving independent umpire’s integrity, after union challenge to penalty rates quashed The National Retail Association (NRA) has this morning praised the Federal Court for rejecting the unions’ attempts to have the penalty rates ruling of the independent umpire, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), overruled. The Court has this morning handed […]
The National Retail Association (NRA) has today welcomed the arrival of Australia Post’s new shipping membership program, Shipster, as a crucial move toward helping Australian businesses keep up with a rapidly-changing consumer market. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said while innovative retailers were constantly changing up their business models to keep step with consumer demand and […]
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 […]