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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]