It’s estimated that WHS incidents cost businesses around $31.4million in compensation payments each year in Queensland alone with an average of 25 days off work. Creating a safe working environment is a responsibility of all businesses, however companies who go above and beyond empower their employees with a feeling of security, helping to retain staff […]
Tonight, we will know the details of the 2016 Federal Budget, as Treasurer Scott Morrison hands down his first budget. Given the current mixed retail environment, we have been urging the Federal Government, in the lead up to the delivery of its third budget, to provide as much certainty and clarity as possible. The Australian […]
Late last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Innovation and Investment Summit, part of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Initiative. Throughout the summit, some of the world’s best visionaries in technology and innovation came together to share their insights and empower delegates to harness innovation. Each of the visionaries I had the pleasure […]
This week we look at a recent case where a club was ordered to pay over $415,000 in compensation when they breached multiple IR laws and engaged in adverse action by modifying an employee’s hours from full-time to part-time without mutual consent to avoid extra costs of a worker’s compensation claim. The reduction in hours […]
Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) are currently undertaking a review of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which is the national law governing fair trading and consumer protection across all jurisdictions of Australia. The National Retail Association (NRA) will be making a submission to CAANZ, on behalf of members and other interested parties, and […]
Information overload is an increasing problem both in the workplace and in our personal lives. We are no longer able to switch off with smart phones, tablets and laptops to keep us connected and up to date on the go. In office spaces, the problem seem to spread. When employees are overloaded there is a […]
Thank you to the NRA members who attended the recent BDO webinar. Inventory is one of the most important parts of any retail business. It is one of the biggest investments and something that most retailers spend a majority of their time managing. Adequate stock controls are needed to reduce inventory costs and increase stock […]
Running a sustainable business means investing time and energy, constantly analysing your operations and measuring performance to manage financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities. 2015 National Retail Association Rewards for Excellence Sustainability Excellence Award winners LUSH demonstrated a true commitment to maintaining a ‘green’ philosophy throughout their business. We recently caught up with […]
All Australian employees are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for their employer for a least 12 months: before the date or expected date of birth. Parental leave entitlements may include: • Maternity leave• Paternity and partner leave• Adoption leave• Special maternity leave• A safe job and no safe job leave• A right […]
Customer experience is more than a sales assistant smiling and ‘going the extra mile’ now means more than offering your loyal customers $2 off their next order. Consumers are demanding seamless, personable and extraordinary experiences from each interaction with your brand. From the initial search on Google to the unwrapping the parcel, each step requires […]
For a large percentage of consumers world-wide, Uber has become part of our everyday lexicon. As a business you know that if you type your company name into your phone and it doesn’t try to autocorrect it to something completely unrelated, you have succeeded in disrupting day to day activities. Whether you are pro-Uber, anti-Uber […]
In a new global report, “The Cashless Journey,” MasterCard Advisors tracked how 33 major economies are progressing from cash-based to cashless societies. The report identifies new technologies, government programs and consumer preferences as key factors that are driving this shift, creating more productive and inclusive economies. Cash still accounts for 85% of global consumer transactions […]
With reviews at the click of a button, consumers are no longer taking the word of a sales person as gospel. Online reviews can generate brand awareness, upsell customers, build trust and loyalty, however they can also create headaches for business with a few strokes of the keyboard. As a business are you aware of […]
Internet Retailing has launched the 2016 Top 50 People in E-Commerce publication. Selected by Internet Retailing and a panel of e-commerce experts, the annual Top 50 People in E-Commerce recognises the biggest and brightest talents in the Australian e-commerce industry. To be eligible, individuals must be responsible for driving e-commerce operations within their business, with […]
As the Chairman mentioned in last week’s message, we have farewelled CEO Trevor Evans, who has been preselected to contest a seat at the Federal Election on July 2nd. While the National Retail Association is strictly a non-partisan organisation, we do wish Trevor every success. It is important that we have Federal MPs who understand […]
Embracing the web is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. Digitally engaged businesses are four times more likely to be hiring, and double as likely to be growing revenue than those who don’t. That’s why we wanted to let you know about an upcoming Google livestream event that helps businesses learn new ways of […]
Could you be National Retail Association’s 2016 Rewards for Excellence Franchisee of the Year? As a finalist or winner, franchisees can boost morale and increase engagement within their business. Gaining recognition as a leader in the industry sets your business apart from the crowd. Awards increase interest, trust and respect for the brand as a […]
Shoppers are becoming exhausted by digital ubiquity and are therefore beginning to seek sanctuary in physical retail stores for the human to human experience that bricks and mortar provides. The ‘fittest’ retailers are able to capitalise on this consumer desire, by utilising the power of personalisation within the store experience. From using big data to […]
As a valued member of NRA, I would like to inform you ASAP that TOTAL Retail & Payments EXPO we have launched their visitor ticket. Click here to download the visitor ticket. This visitor ticket contains the FREE seminar theatre sessions, $150 off your conference ticket (discount code in the visitor ticket) and more! TOTAL […]
With customers mingling their purchases between online and in-store, the view they have when dealing with a retailer is one of unity. They do not define their relationship based on where they purchase but rather who they purchase with. The consequences of this run deep into in-store businesses and more importantly the role of staff […]