Innovation is the hot topic on everybody’s lips. From investors to start-ups to politicians, everybody is looking towards the future for improvements on current ideas or new ideas and technologies that can shape the way we live. Unfortunately many “higher-ups” who talk the talk, seem to disconnect when it comes time to walk the walk. […]
Locking penalty rates into law will lock out small business
Locking penalty rates into legislation will lock out small business from Sunday trading, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today. James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber, said: “If the unions have their way, we will soon have a situation where small cafes, restaurants and bars will find it too expensive to open […]
Innovation in the retail industry
Telstra has released new research into the dynamic and evolving trends shaping modern retail today and into the future. Innovation in Retail highlights the technologies that will shape the retail sector in the next 2-5 years – changes driven primarily by heightened customer expectations and increased competitiveness in the sector. The report also covers the […]
Costly ‘Australian Made’ infringement
The famous green and gold Australian Made kangaroo logo instils confidence in shoppers who want to support Australian businesses and manufacturing. Products that carry the Australian Made logo are trusted and can often sell at a higher price point as customers believe that are getting quality products, produced with local materials while keeping jobs in […]
ANZ adopts Apple Pay for Australians
Apple pay has been around since late 2014, however as Australians we are yet to fully embrace the software. That was until ANZ recently signed up to Apple Pay contactless. Becoming the first of the big four banks to implement the technology, ANZ customers will be able to use their mobiles as credit cards.Customers with […]
3 common retail myths debunked
Many retailers believe that digital and smartphones are hindering bricks and mortar. While smartphones and tablets are significantly impacting traditional B2C retail experiences, businesses that embrace the technology are coming out on top. Digital is no longer exclusive to large companies with big marketing budgets. Retailers of all sizes can adapt to technology without reaching […]
2 weeks left to nominate!
Is you CEO a highly regarded leader, a face of the industry and someone who dedicates their time to the overall improvement of the retail sector, not just the growth of their own business? Does your HR Manager demonstrate excellence through leadership, strategy and their achievement of business outcomes? The National Retail Association (NRA) is […]
Are you preparing for retirement?
Most people don’t plan on working forever. And many who do, won’t be able to due to the frailty that comes with age. So by choice or by necessity, at some stage most of us will need an income that is not linked to a job. The age that most of us will have to […]
Think big small talk
The Office of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has opened a consultation period to find out from small businesses, family enterprises and representative associations what the key issues are when running a business, and what they should focus on as a business advocate. If you have some suggestions, please register your ideas […]
The Future of IoT in Retail
While you might not have thought it, considering the rise of e-commerce, the future for in store retail is looking brighter than ever. Retailers who manage to harness the power of big data are now able to create custom, curated journeys for their customers – maximising personalisation and flow through the store to the individual, […]
Message from the CEO: 16 May 2016
More than a quarter of employed young people aged 15 – 24 work in retail, so the announcement of the youth jobs PaTH program in the budget should provide some encouragement for employees to actively engage young people into work. However, there has been some controversy surrounding the program, and it is disappointing to see […]
International Labour Organisation illustrates workplace stress impacts
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released a detailed report which illustrates the impact of workplace stress on the mental health and the wellbeing of workers. ILO’s Workplace Stress: A collective challenge report found that psychosocial risks are related to “health-related behavioural risk, including heavy alcohol consumption, overweight, less frequent exercise, increased cigarette smoking, and […]
BDO’s Federal Budget breakdown breakfast
Last week Mark Molesworth, BDO’s Tax Partner provided an analysis of the Budget and explain the implications for business, sectors and individuals. Dr Ray Weekes of The CEO Institute moderated a discussion with a guest panel to explore the wider impact of the 2016-2017 Budget. The panel of experts were: • Dr Adam Walk, Consulting […]
3 barriers to your email marketing strategy
Email marketing is still a key piece of the overall marketing strategy. However in today’s age of inbox overload, how do you encourage your customers to open and not archive, or worse unsubscribe from your communications? Julia Carter from our partners at Traffika have outlined the three barriers to your email marketing strategy. 1. Lack […]
Retail Customer Excellence Award Winners
Last Wednesday 11 May delegates attended an extravagant gala dinner in Melbourne for the Retail Customer Excellence Awards hosted by our partners Inside Retail. The awards night gives recognition to retailers in Australia who are creating Customer Centric organisations that have the customers’ needs and wants engrained into every company decision to deliver an extraordinary […]
Mobile wallets: how Amex plans to stay relevant
If sci-fi movies have taught us anything it’s that robots are coming, we will all pay for services using a chip in our arm and everything will be a hologram. Although we aren’t quite there yet, we are close. Robots are already being integrated in the retail process, whether it be as chat bots or […]
MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Exclusive NORA discount for NRA members
As a valued member of the National Retail Association, we would like to offer you $50 off when booking an event with our industry partners the National Online Retailers Association (NORA). Simply enter the promotional code 47492206 to receive your discount. NORA offers webinars, expeditions and more to educate you as a retailer and keep […]
2016 Budget – superannuation update
The Government announced a number of changes to super as part of the 2016/17 Federal Budget. Treasurer Scott Morrison said the objective of the changes is to have a more equitable system and to encourage Australians to save for retirement and not be dependent on the Age Pension. Some of the announcements include: • A […]
FREE customer service training
Exceptional customer service is a critical element for any business, continually improving skills to achieve peak levels of performance and sales success. One of the most popular training programs the National Retail Association (NRA) offers is the one day Customer Service workshop. More than 350 employees have participated in this interactive and practical workshop over […]
Train and retain your staff to be fitter for business
After our last webinar we called for YOU to decide the next topic. From all the ideas submitted, there was one recurring theme: your staff. When it comes to retail, your store staff are a vital component to delivering new types of value by matching the customer problem with the solution and helping to promote […]