Because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, an extra public holiday was gazetted by the Queensland Government on Monday 28 December. For major retailers in regional areas of Queensland, this meant that they could not open their doors for four consecutive days over the Christmas Period – namely December 25, 26, 27 and […]
This week the federal government announced its response to the Harper Competition Policy Review foreshadowing some of the most significant business reforms in two decades. The final report made 56 recommendations for reforms across three key themes: competition policy, laws and institutions with 44 of those recommendations being supported whole or in part by the […]
Aussies are spending more than ever before but visiting stores less, according to a snapshot of the country’s retail sector released this week. The annual Roy Morgan State of the Nation report this year featured a special focus on retail. It found spending on commodities topped $100 billion for the year to June, with approximately […]
The National Retail Association (NRA) is today making its case to allow all shops in south east Queensland to open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, during the first day of an anticipated three-week hearing in front of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC). If successful, the NRA’s bid, which was lodged late in […]
We are fast approaching one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year. This week, we’ve seen a landmark law passed in New South Wales, with the NSW Government allowing regional businesses to open their doors on Boxing Day, just in time for this year’s Christmas season. The NRA strongly supported […]
The Retail Trading Amendment Bill 2015 (NSW) was introduced on the 11th of November and is the first major reform of trading laws since 2008. The bill (which has passed but will come into effect on the date of assent) removes the restrictions on NSW businesses from operating on Boxing Day (26th December). Previously, trading […]
On Monday this week the Federal Government released its response to the Financial System Inquiry. Of most interest for retailers was a commitment to prohibit merchants from levying credit card surcharges “that are greater than the cost to them of accepting payment by card”. A delegation from the NRA met with the new Treasurer, Scott […]
In 2014 the NSW Government introduced extended Christmas shopping hours to help give NSW retailers a boost during the vital shopping season. All shops within a business zone will be allowed to open 24 hours a day from 12:00am Friday, 11 December 2015 until 11:59pm Thursday, 24 December, without planning approval for the additional trading […]