Message from our CEO – 29 August 2023

I would first like to emphasise the commendable efforts of small and medium businesses throughout Australia as they strive...

I would first like to emphasise the commendable efforts of small and medium businesses throughout Australia as they strive to sustain our local economies. These enterprises play a vital role in the Australian economy, constituting over half of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By fuelling local economies, businesses...

Read More

Harsher penalties against worker abuse, retailers urge

The National Retail Association is calling for harsher penalties after it was announced today that a security guard was...

The National Retail Association is calling for harsher penalties after it was announced today that a security guard was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition after being attacked with a meat cleaver in a Gold Coast Shopping Centre. Chief Executive Officer, Greg Griffith, is concerned for...

Read More

SCCA Research: Retail Trade Analysis – July 2023 (First Release)

Retail Trade estimate increased by 0.0 percent in July 2023 and by 1.9 per cent year-on-year The latest release (July...

Retail Trade estimate increased by 0.0 percent in July 2023 and by 1.9 per cent year-on-year The latest release (July 2023) of the monthly ABS Retail Trade data indicates that the overall month-on-month (m-o-m) trend estimate increased by 0.0 percent, down from an increase of 0.2 percent in June 2023. In...

Read More

Choosing local: Celebrating Father’s day with a touch of community spirit

Father's Day is approaching with only less than 1 week to go and the mission to find the perfect...

Father's Day is approaching with only less than 1 week to go and the mission to find the perfect gift for Dad is underway. However, this year, let's shift our shopping routine by embracing the spirit of community and supporting local businesses. In an encouraging collaboration, Greg Griffith, CEO of...

Read More

“Think Small” to celebrate Father’s Day, gift shoppers urged

Gift buyers have been urged to “Think Small” this Father’s Day, and take the opportunity to support local and...

Gift buyers have been urged to “Think Small” this Father’s Day, and take the opportunity to support local and family-owned businesses. With just over a week to go until we celebrate Dads everywhere, the National Retail Association is reminding Australians that the overwhelming majority of jobs are created and sustained...

Read More

The Scope of ESG

Most of us appreciate that ESG (Environmental Social Governance) covers a wide range of issues, but we’d be hard-pressed...

Most of us appreciate that ESG (Environmental Social Governance) covers a wide range of issues, but we’d be hard-pressed to provide details of how it all comes together, particularly in the context of formal government policy and regulatory interventions. Whilst Australia doesn’t have an agreed ESG framework there are...

Read More

Director personally liable for wage underpayments

In a timely reminder about wage compliance, the Fair Work Ombudsman has recently persuaded a court to hold a...

In a timely reminder about wage compliance, the Fair Work Ombudsman has recently persuaded a court to hold a director personally liable for underpayments made to staff. This case serves as a reminder that those who make executive decisions that result in contraventions of minimum conditions, may be held...

Read More

Message from our CEO – 15 August 2023

We're amid a bustling period within the world of retail, gearing up for two of the most exciting occasions...

We're amid a bustling period within the world of retail, gearing up for two of the most exciting occasions in the industry’s calendar - Father's Day and Black Friday. In the weeks ahead, we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on some fantastic local businesses, and we're on the hunt...

Read More

Official Container Deposit Scheme Regulations | Stage 2

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been...

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been published on the Legislation Vic Website found here. Here is a brief summary of the changes: Regulation 4 amends definitions: in the definition of "donation partner" wording has changed to better...

Read More

National Packaging Targets with APCO

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the...

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is charged by the Australian government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 targets. Recently, APCO CEO, Chris Foley, and Packaging Technologist, Ian Hayes, joined our...

Read More

Everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual harassment

Since the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Act), employers have...

Since the passage of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Act 2022 (Act), employers have been grappling with how they can meet their duty to proactively prevent sexual harassment. The Act introduced a positive duty on employers to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate unlawful...

Read More

Calling all fabulous franchises to enter the 2023 National Retail Awards

This year’s National Retail Awards introduces a new category to celebrate the enormous contribution Australia’s franchisees make to our...

This year’s National Retail Awards introduces a new category to celebrate the enormous contribution Australia’s franchisees make to our industry, and their communities, every day. The Franchisee of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding franchisee who has demonstrated exceptional business success while going above and beyond within...

Read More

Message from our CEO – 8 August 2023

The National Retail Association team is enthusiastically preparing to create a spectacular evening for retailers at the upcoming National...

The National Retail Association team is enthusiastically preparing to create a spectacular evening for retailers at the upcoming National Retail Awards. With the event just around the corner, we're thrilled to announce that our Early Bird tickets are now up for grabs at a discounted rate for a limited...

Read More

Plastic bans – free info sessions

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply...

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. We work directly with multiple governments to deliver state-wide education programs to assist businesses impacted by sustainability policy such as single-use plastic bans. To support businesses impacted by single-use plastic...

Read More

The Importance of Prioritising Proper Performance Management

As a manager or human resources professional in the retail or quick service sectors, managing employee performance can easily...

As a manager or human resources professional in the retail or quick service sectors, managing employee performance can easily fall by the wayside amongst the hustle and bustle of day-to-day operations. In many cases, poor performance will fester because employees have not been made aware of their poor performance issues,...

Read More

The First Supplier Registration and Contracting System is now live.

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be...

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be considered a First Supplier. In Victoria, if you are a First Supplier according to the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (VIC), you have a legal obligation to participate...

Read More