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” […]
Rich Media facilitates a new kind of information delivery or messaging, in the form of digital content. The term “media” in “Rich Media” is an abbreviated version of the term “multimedia.” Multimedia goes beyond traditional text (including printed material). The term “rich” in “Rich Media” defines digital content, appropriately suited for the Internet. Rich Media […]
There were two major developments in retail this week which show just how volatile our sector can be, and how challenging the environment remains for retail business owners. The first was the seemingly inevitable announcement that the Masters hardware chain would close its doors before the end of the year. Although it can be argued […]
The Youth Jobs PaTH is a $752 million Australian Government initiative designed to support young people under the age of 25 years to gain the employability skills and real work experience they need to get and keep a job, and provides incentives for employers to take them on. The Youth Jobs PaTH provides three elements: […]
This week we have completed our third Ready for Retail course delivered in conjunction with MiHaven in Cairns. Using our industry endorsed training program, MiHaven and the National Retail Association have trained seven participants in a Certificate II in Retail Services, giving them skills in customer service, visual merchandising, point of sale and how to […]
Is your brain running out of steam? Workplace stress is now one of the highest costs for worker’s compensation claims in Australia. Mental stress may be a standard feature of our busy lives but it comes at a cost. Safe Work Australia estimates the loss of productivity and absence of workers due to stress in the workplace is costing Australian […]
The Olympics may have wrapped up for another four years, but the National Retail Association is starting to gear up for our very own medal ceremony. Australia’s top retailers are set to take home gold in a show of business prowess, dedication and innovation. Make the Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony a […]
7-Eleven shop owners aren’t the only employers short-changing staff and deliberately ignoring workers’ rights. A Malaysian restaurant in inner Sydney was last week fined almost $300,000 for using false records to disguise wage underpayments. Six staff members at the Mamak restaurant, five of which were visa-holders, were paid as little as $11 an hour between […]
You could be missing out on new customer enquiries by choosing the incorrect button for your Google ads. Google and Ipsos recently surveyed 2,390 Australian smartphone users who used or purchased something within the past six months to determine how they think about and interact with mobile ads. They found that 66% of customers said […]