In today’s increasingly fragmented yet hyper-connected society, consumer behaviour can no longer be predicted, and yet all voices still need to be heard. As retailers attempt to be more relevant to their target audiences, and cater to their unique needs, retailers are adapting their service offers and store experience strategies to engage with prosumers. By […]
Thank you to the National Retail Association members who attended the recent BDO webinar. The retail sector is an engine room of tax generation when it comes to existing taxes such GST, land tax and payroll tax. Small businesses have fought long and hard for the government to remove the $1000 threshold, arguing independent retailers […]
In a recent case before the Fair Work Commission, a human resources manager has been held responsible for failing to adequately prepare their colleague in the investigation of an employee. The employee, who had provided over 30 years of service to K&S Freighters Pty Ltd, was called to a meeting with the area manager to […]
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) announced this week that James Pearson would be appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer, replacing former CEO Kate Carnell. Mr Pearson will take up his role at the end of the month and brings with him a wealth of knowledge from both private and public […]
The recent release of the February 2016 retail trade figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed flat growth in retail sales, although strong performance is still being recorded in some key divisions of household goods and clothing. As indicated in the graph below, the sector grew by 3.7 per cent nationally in trend terms, […]
This week’s Australian Bureau of Statistics results for February showed a continuation of the longer term growth in our sector we have been witnessing for some time now. The headline figures were no doubt disappointing – showing effectively no change from January’s results. However, the annualised growth rates showed a 3.7 per cent increase compared […]
In today’s digital world, it is not uncommon for retailers to trade through multiple channels. It’s almost become a mandatory accessory to have an online store associated to your physical store but at what point can you consider your retail business to be operating through multi-channels or an omnichannel business. The answer is simple. If […]
We asked this question when we recently visited fashion retailer, Mimco’s, flagship boutique on Pitt Street, Sydney. Upon entering the store, you are greeted by a 360 degree projection ring with seamless inspirational content running above the merchandise throughout. The focal point of the digital activities instore is the interactive touch table. The table (similar […]
Much has been made of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ figures showing the nation’s unemployment rate fell from 6 to 5.8 per cent in February (released Thursday), but the unemployment rate doesn’t specifically tend to affect retailers, the number of job vacancies is far more significant, because labour demand has a profound effect on cash […]
Is digital technology in our shops more about the sizzle than the substance? Is investment in digital technology really about the brand statement than the actual facilitation of the higher sales and margin improvement? Retailers up and down our high streets are investing more than ever before in their digital retail offer, but do they […]
Dancing CEOs is shaping up to be the most highly anticipated event on the 2016 Fundraising Calendar. To help raise money for the prevention of domestic violence, 12 brave CEOs will swap their suits for sequins on April 15 in a hotly contested dance-off at Brisbane City Hall. All 640 seats in the main auditorium […]
The Retail and Commercial Leasing Guide was recently released by the South Australian Office of the Small Business Commissioner. The Guide has been prepared to assist current and prospective tenant deal with some main elements of the Retail and Commercial Leases Act, namely: Lease terms Rent Lease assignment Condition of the premises Relocation Demolition The […]
This week, we’ve seen suggestions in the media that recent high-profile collapses like Dick Smith, Masters and Laura Ashley signal that the retail industry is entering a period of ‘doom and gloom’. Negative commentary never helps consumer confidence and retail spending. The National Retail Association has been working hard to point out that retail is […]
A recent study, published in Gender, Work and Organization, suggests that customer-perpetrated sexual harassment is prevalent across the Australian service sector, including the retail industry. The study, titled “‘But it’s your job to be friendly’: Employees coping with and contesting sexual harassment from customers in the service industry,” suggests that 9 per cent of all […]
The National Retail Technical Standards Committee will be meeting in Sydney later this month to discuss the current challenges of product safety and compliance. The committee is an important forum for the development of the retail industry policy. It communicates regularly with government decision-makers and agencies, including Standards Australia, the ACCC, offices of Fair Trading […]
Following early trials of beacon technology at Westfield Hornsby in NSW, the Internet of Things revolution for retail is a reality. Zebra Technologies’ senior technical director for Asia Pacific Wayne Harper imagines a scenario in the near future: one where in-store IoT systems power dynamic cross- or up-sell opportunities. You pick up some pasta in […]
The hardware, building and garden supplies category of retail is expected to generate in excess of $18.2 billion in turnover this financial year, representing growth of 6.9 per cent. Following a busy holiday trading period for the retail industry in general, the Australian economy, and retail in particular, is beginning to head in the right […]
The National Retail Association (NRA) has launched the Foundation Skills for Retail Web Portal, providing free training and professional development resources for language, literacy and numeracy practitioners operating across the Australian retail industry. The portal has been produced by the NRA with the assistance of funding provided by the Australian Government through the Department of […]
The retail trade figures for January, released today, showed a steady start to the year with an increase in turnover 0.3 per cent for the month, seasonally adjusted, and a 4.0 increase compared with January last year. This steady, if not spectacular, growth is welcome as we see consumer sentiment stabilising and spending patterns becoming […]
Merchants are increasingly serving connected consumers who want to shop anytime, anywhere and with any device. With Visa Developer, merchants can create innovative retail experiences and offer a more secure and seamless shopping experience. The recent launch of Visa Developer offers access to some of the most popular Visa products and services, including secure and […]