How do you implement customer centricity?

Earlier this month Myer announced its financial results for the 53 weeks to 30 July 2016, marking the first year of the New Myer strategy. Like many other ‘fit’ retail strategies today, the ‘New Myer’ strategy, aims to be truly ‘customer centric’, but what does this really mean? Customer centricity has become yet another buzz […]

Flat trend continues for retail

According to the latest report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for retail trade in July 2016, retail trade figures have continued the flat trend that they finished the 2015-16 financial year with. Seasonally adjusted, retail turnover for July 2016 remained more or less unchanged at 0.0 per cent, which follows a rise of […]

Gold Coast Students Ready for Retail

On the 13/09/16 the NRA Training Division commenced a Ready for Retail program at Broadbeach Surf Lifesaving Club on the Gold Coast, with ocean views and daily visits from passing dolphins and whales. The NRA has once again partnered with Coles to give a group of students with disabilities, real life experience and enhanced opportunities […]

Discrimination still a major player in organisations

Australia Post was ordered to pay $40,000 in compensation for a colleague racially discriminating against a worker. However, claims for aggravated damages and exemplary damages were rejected. A postal delivery driver for Australia Post was subjected to racial teasing by being called “a black bastard”, a “f@#*ing black bastard” and being told to “go home” […]

Australians spending even more time online

New research commissioned by the company rolling out the National Broadband Network (NBN) has found that internet users are expected to spend an extra 22 days online this year compared with two years ago. “Most of us are getting online when we open our eyes in the morning and before we go to sleep, while […]

Sweet expansion for Doughnut Time

From lawyer to King of Doughnuts, Damian Griffiths is expanding his empire to include a premium Sydney location. Doughnut Time has rapidly expanded since opening 16 months ago, growing from one small Brisbane store to over 27 stores across Australia. According to Griffiths, the key has been creating a recognisable and trusted brand with a […]

Christmas shoppers shop early and want more discounts

Commonwealth Bank Australia (CBA) says 74% of retailers won’t be changing their approach to sales this Christmas, even though about half (46%) of shoppers expect larger discounts during the festive season. According to CBA’s latest research from the Retail Insights Report, 18% of Australian retailers have commenced some form of Christmas sale, and 48% of consumers […]

7-Eleven denies unpaid tax claims

7-Eleven convenience chain has categorically denied claims by NSW Labor that is has paid no payroll tax for at least three financial years. A freedom of information (FOI) request revealed 7-Eleven is not registered for payroll tax in the state, according to NSW Labor. “7-Eleven engaged in the biggest wage-theft scandal in Australian history, it […]

Message from the CEO: 3 October 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

Last week I mentioned the ongoing review of the General Retail Industry Award, and specifically the issue of penalty rates for Sundays.  This week I attended a talk on the issue by the President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Iain Ross.  While he didn’t comment on the likely decision, he did make reference to […]

New Franchise TV show airs this Sunday

NATIONWIDE A new FREE-TO-AIR TV program called The Franchise Show, will launch Australia-wide on Channel 7, this Sunday 2 October. Hosted by finance commentator and consumer advocate Effie Zahos, the weekly half-hour program will explore the positives, the pitfalls, and the personalities behind the growing franchising sector in Australia.  “Franchising is a fundamental cornerstone of Australia’s economy, and has […]

Message from the CEO: 26 September 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

The NRA has this week led a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, and Queensland Senator James McGrath, to discuss the Coalition’s second term agenda, and to further expand on ways to reduce regulatory burdens which reduce business profitability, and in turn, the industry’s ability […]

Termination of bully upheld as a fair dismissal

A mineworker, along with two other colleagues who were dismissed for bullying a fellow employee by boxing his vehicle in on a highway, failed to convince the FWC that they were dismissed unfairly. Rio Tinto subsidiary Coal & Allied Mining Services Pty Ltd (Mt Thorley) conducted an investigation into the incident.  As a result of […]

Are online marketplaces right for you?

Indirect selling or third party online marketplaces, such as eBay, can be a great way to broaden your reach, trial new products, and test different regions with lower costs compared to setting up a new storefront. Groupon, eBay, Etsy and Zazzle are just a few examples of third party websites being used by Australian retailers […]

71% of people using mobile to make payments

Mobile commerce (mcommerce) is continuing to grow and if your business isn’t offering mobile payment options you could be missing out. Mobile commerce relates to the use of wireless handheld devices such as mobile phones and tablets to perform transactions. This includes everyday banking, consumer purchases, money transfers, mobile ticketing, mobile vouchers, and even information […]

Deloitte report: Technology predictions & trends in retail

Deloitte Australia has released their first volume in their Retail Trends series which will explore trends and issues in retail. The ‘Technology in Retail: from centre stage to supporting player’ report covers issues facing Australian retailers including predictions, disruptions, trends, consumer desires, customer experience and the state of omnichannel retailing. David White, of Deloitte Australia […]

NRA welcomes Troy Wild to the team

It is with great pleasure that I welcome Troy Wild to the National Retail Association as Director, Legal Division, and Principal of our in-house law firm, NRA Legal.  Troy joins us with an extensive background in industrial relations and employment law, as well as 13 years’ experience gained as a Criminal Investigative Police Officer. Troy […]

Three lessons for your business

More and more consumers are poised to enter the marketplace in the coming years and businesses will need to be ready for a wave of ethically conscious and gender aware shoppers. HSBC’s Future of Consumer Demand report highlights that data indicates 90% of the world’s population will be considered “consumers” by 2020. The report uses the World Bank’s […]

JB Hi-Fi buys The Good Guys

Following months of speculation, JB Hi-Fi has finally announced their takeover of rival electronics and whitegoods retailer The Good Guys. JB Hi-Fi placed a bid believed to be worth $870 million in order to acquire the 101-store Good Guys network. The acquisition will boost JB Hi-Fi’s total store count across Australia and New Zealand to […]