As the approaching Christmas season brings 2018 inexorably to a close, the NRA’s Legal Practice Director and Deputy CEO, Lindsay Carroll reflects on a year that has been a challenging time for retailers and business in general. Never before has compliance with industrial laws been so far at the forefront of the national consciousness, with […]
It’s no secret we’re addicted to our phones – just think about the panic most of us feel at the thought of losing ours! While it’s also no secret these little devices have revolutionised our industry, the latest research from Salesforce suggests they are going to play an even greater role in the lead up […]
We interviewed our winners from the 2018 National Retail Awards. Meet Toby Cumpstay from Simply for Strings, Our Small Retailer of the Year. Where did your retail journey begin? I quickly learned how to serve customers in my parents fast-food (kebab) shop when I was only 13 right through to when I graduated […]
How do I find and keep great staff is a question as old as time, but the times are changing. As more and more millennials move into the workforce, we are increasingly seeing retailers invest in dedicated leadership training to inspire and retain their staff. Earlier this month, we brought together a diverse panel of retail […]
Written by Sooraj Sidhu and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal According to recent analysis by global job search platform Indeed, 67% of Christmas job opportunities in Australia are created in the retail sector to help serve the Christmas shopping frenzy. Last year, Australians spent in excess of $26 billion during the month of December which would […]
Written by Calum Woods and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal In a recent application for relief from unfair dismissal, Commissioner Cribb considered circumstances where an employee requested changes to her working arrangements, and then resigned her employment when the employer was unable to accommodate those changes. The employee argued that she was forced to resign her […]
China has become Australia’s largest market for total spend and visitor nights. As of March 2018, 1,403,600 Chinese visited Australia with total spending’s of $10.9 Billion in the twelve month period of 2017, a 13% increase from the previous year. The NRA has recently partnered with AXCEN to help members benefit from their expert Chinese […]
Understanding when to pay uniform and laundry allowances prescribed by modern awards is an issue that is commonly misunderstood by employers. The misunderstanding often arises because employees can claim such allowances on their tax return. However, employers may be in breach of a Modern Award if applicable uniform and laundry allowances aren’t paid. NRA’s Fair […]
From the source: Nick Pearce, HoMie by Heather McIlvaine, Inside Retail Nick Pearce is one third of the founding team behind HoMie, a Melbourne-based retail business that uses the profit it generates from selling a range of contemporary streetwear to help people experiencing homelessness. The concept evolved from an anti-child-trafficking fundraising bike ride Pearce took from Vietnam to Cambodia […]
By Alex Millman and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal In a decision handed down on 16 August 2018, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia has thrown casual employment, and the efficacy of its use, into a tailspin. In a case which is likely to be appealed to the High Court by the employer, […]
By Victoria Hansen and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) released its findings on Degani Bakery and Café (Degani) Compliance Activity (Activity) last week, finding non-compliance at 15 out of 16 Degani outlets operating under either a licensee or franchisee arrangement with Degani Australia Pty Ltd. Background The FWO commenced the Activity […]
Mary Booth’s vitality certainly belies her age – something that could be down to the exceptional lifestyle where she lives in the Hunter Valley! As the 76-year-old accepted her NRA Lifetime Achievement Award in Melbourne, Ms Booth shared the story of a long career devoted to retail, and how it led her to creating the […]
The Australian retail industry has honoured its long-standing legends and recognised its innovative rising stars in a glittering awards ceremony in Melbourne overnight. The nation’s premier industry honours – the National Retail Awards – were presented to outstanding retailers from across Australia at a glittering ceremony in the spectacular Myer Mural Hall in Melbourne. […]
Commsec has released its business sales index report for July 2018 and it is welcome news for the retail sector. The data – which measures the value of credit and debit card transactions processed via Commonwealth Bank merchant facilities – has seen a July annual growth rate of 16.6 per cent for retail stores, the […]
Written by Alyce Mokrzycki, News Xtend With over 4 billion global users, the internet has become a veritable smorgasbord of possibilities for businesses looking to generate website traffic and find the customers of tomorrow, today. Reasons for generating website traffic are varied, and should strategically align with a businesses objectives. From showcasing a new product […]
By Christine Moody, Brand Audits What’s in a brand name? Brand identity is fast becoming one of the most valuable assets for a business. Contemporary asset value (for intangible assets such as brands) is now nearly 85% of the market value of S&P 500 companies, according to an annual survey by Ocean Tomo in 2015. […]
You have your accounting software. You have a HR system. You have stock control processes in place. You have the huge beast that is ‘marketing’, and the monster workload and management needed to support it. There is literally a bottomless pit of software you could implementing across all the aspects of the business, but smaller […]
By Sooraj Sidhu, NRA Legal You might have heard in recent months the term ‘gig economy’ being thrown around by politicians, lawyers and leaders in workplace relations. The term, which has become buzzword of the century, refers to the burgeoning number of workers engaged in short-term or temporary positions, either through labour-hire, independent contractor or […]
By Emma McCourt – Strategic marketing specialist working for World’s Biggest Garage Sale. She has expertise in fashion, mass customisation, and brand engagement This Brisbane-based company generate profit for purpose by re-commercing unwanted consumer goods, now they are now taking their unique business model global. Think for a moment about your home… how many goods […]
Written by Maggie Hill, News Xtend Ever wondered what it takes to tackle the world of Facebook advertising? It’s no easy task; with Facebook certifications taking from hours to days to weeks to earn, Facebook can feel like your best friend, or your worst enemy. That’s why we’re going to talk you through the Top […]