In a recent application for judicial review, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia dismissed Eliana Construction and Developing Group Pty Ltd.’s application stating that they had no basis for unfairly dismissing an employee who had suffered domestic violence by her partner, who was also employed at the same company. The company’s reason for dismissing the […]
Did you know that it’s Super Booster day on 15 September 2016? Leading up to this day you’re invited to make a pledge to add a little extra to your super. But it’s not just about boosting your super for one day, it’s thinking about boosting it for the rest of your working life. Your future self […]
When a customer stop purchasing from a company or cancels a service, more often than not, businesses try to legitimise the reasoning behind lost profit. “We didn’t want them as a customer anyway.” “They weren’t our target market.” Every user or customer, whether you believe they are your core market or not, can offer invaluable […]
Queensland’s Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, located on the Gold Coast, has taken out the Queensland Retail Property of the Year Award at the Property Council’s annual gala. Pacific Fair also took home the Excellence in Design Award and the Excellence in Marketing award on the night. Following a major $670 million redevelopment, which commenced in […]
Winemakers are the latest retailers to target the booming Chinese market, where Australian products are actively sort after. With the help of Alibaba and the Tmall.com platform, 10 Australian brands from eight regions will soon be offering their products through vinehoo.com. A further 20 brands are expected to be listed in the coming months. The […]
Embroiled convenience chain 7-Eleven has reacted to new claims of worker exploitation after revelations that the Fair Work Ombudsman is considering further legal action. While 7 Eleven has made efforts to change, including adapting its business model, changes to senior management and setting up compensation schemes to underpaid workers, new evidence has emerged that workers […]
Please note, further to our communication last week, that an error has been identified with calculations relating to the 2.4% wage rate increase for the Children’s Services Award, effective 1 September 2016. This error has been rectified and a new wage rate summary can be accessed by logging into our Members Resource Portal. Please accept […]
The Australian Government Department of Employment has published Australian Jobs 2016. The publication presents an overview of the current labour market and highlights the major changes which have occurred, including for industries and occupations. It is designed to meet the needs of a range of users, and there is a regional analysis of employment for all […]
This week the NRA Ready for Retail Program has reached our 51st job outcome for our program, which is funded through the Queensland Government Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) Program. Danielle Owen trained in our course in Chermside and undertook her work experience at the Chemist Warehouse in Ashgrove. She did a great job, with […]
We are pleased to welcome our new senior lawyer, Angela Szczepanski to the National Retail Association Legal Team. Angela joins the team with over 13 years’ experience in industrial relations and has worked for a number of employer associations, private enterprises as in house counsel and for the Queensland State Government. Angela has a wealth […]
Last week’s retail trade data may not have been the most high-profile activity performed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in recent months. That honour clearly went to the national Census. But in terms of outcomes, this exercise was almost as disappointing! The ABS reported that retail trade flatlined in July – in official terms, […]
Dark patterns are manipulative techniques used in interfaces to trick users into doing things they normally wouldn’t. Benefiting the company at the expense of the customer. Bait & switch, hidden costs, forced continuity and disguised ads are regularly used in businesses across the globe. The use of these sneaky techniques may increase your database, profit […]
The ACCC has hit online fashion retailer OzSale with a $500,000 fine for failing to comply with mandatory safety standards. Proceedings in the Federal Court alleged the member-only shopping club sold children’s nightwear between July 2014 and October 2015 which did not meet Australian safety standards in relation to at least five garments and made […]
The Victorian Supreme Court found an abattoir business to have breached its duty of care to an employee’s health by requiring them to work 70 hours a week and be on call 24/7. Due to Castricum Brothers Pty Ltd cutting its workforce, Joseph Roussety was promoted to plant manager, increasing his hours gradually from 40 […]
Almost 20 new asylum seekers have found new jobs with Woolworths and more than 60 gained valuable work experience, after the Australian supermarket chain connected with a life-changing program from the Brotherhood of St Laurence. One of Woolworths’ newest employees recruited under the Given the Chance for Asylum Seekers program, Taj, was just 16 when […]
This week NRA Training is travelling to Thursday Island to begin working with an NRA member, Islanders Board of Industry & Service, (IBIS). We will deliver a Certificate II in Retail Services to indigenous jobseekers who will be participating in face to face workshop training and work experience placement in the IBIS community stores. This training […]
2016 has been a hard year for fashion retailers with many shutting up shop, either by choice or necessity. Australian brand Willow, once estimated to be worth $20 million will be closing down in a month, less than three years after it ousted its founder Kit Willow. The brand has faced a decline in sales, […]
Each year, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) undertakes a targeted compliance monitoring and educational program across all industries it regulates. This program provides an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of trader behaviour and assists with developing strategies to provide education and encourage industry compliance. In 2015-16, programs that targeted the retail sector specifically […]
Alternative shipping and courier option are popping up all over the country and it seems Australia Post may be starting to pay attention. After facing a $222 million loss in FY2015, Australia Post has begun focusing on customer experience and faster more reliable delivery services. Earlier this year Australia Post announced they were the first […]
Iconic retail chain Australian Geographic has been saved from closure. All 67 adventure stores were likely to close by March 2017 after experiencing difficult trading conditions and strong competition from online retailers. Melbourne’s Myer family, which founded the department store of the same name have owned the chain since 2007 but had reportedly “given up” […]