Retailers support productivity focus by Albanese Government

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) strongly support the focus of the Albanese Government...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) strongly support the focus of the Albanese Government on productivity in its second term. Responding to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese’s National Press Club address today, ARA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Rodwell said: “Every Australian has a vested interest in...

Read More

Victorian retailers back urgent action to ban machetes

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) say the Victorian Government’s decision to ban the sale...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) say the Victorian Government’s decision to ban the sale of machetes is an important response to the horrifying events at Northland shopping centre last night, but broader reforms are urgently needed. “Data shows that criminals are increasingly using knives and...

Read More

RBA cash relief to boost retail recovery

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per...

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent was welcomed by the retail industry today, as an encouraging boost for Australia’s retail recovery. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said although the interest rate...

Read More

Modest retail spending uptick continues into March

Retail spending growth continued to increase modestly in March compared to the same period last year, with the latest...

Retail spending growth continued to increase modestly in March compared to the same period last year, with the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing consumer spending during March 2025 at $37.3 billion, 4% higher than March 2024. All categories were up year on year. The ‘other...

Read More

Fed-election: International student restrictions a setback for retailers

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have voiced concern over the Federal Opposition’s proposal to...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have voiced concern over the Federal Opposition’s proposal to cap international students and raise visa costs, which would significantly impact the retail workforce. International students are a vital part of the $430 billion retail sector said ARA Chief Industry Affairs...

Read More

PFAS session recording available

We understand that some businesses may still be experiencing confusion or challenges while preparing for the new PFAS controls due...

We understand that some businesses may still be experiencing confusion or challenges while preparing for the new PFAS controls due to come into effect 1 July.  On Friday 4 April, National Retail facilitated an Industry Information Session with guest speaker Sonia Goldie, Director – Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Section, DCCEEW. Ms Goldie provided an...

Read More

Retail recovery on hold (again) with today’s Reserve Bank decision

Retailers said today’s Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hold the cash rate at 4.10% is a significant blow...

Retailers said today’s Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to hold the cash rate at 4.10% is a significant blow for consumer and business confidence that will delay the recovery of the retail sector. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said weak consumer spending and high business...

Read More

Retail spending uptick continues into February with modest growth

Australians continued to spend more across retail compared to the same period last year, with the latest data from...

Australians continued to spend more across retail compared to the same period last year, with the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing consumer spending during February 2025 at $37.1 billion, 3.6% higher than February 2024. The ‘other retailing’ category – which includes cosmetics, sports, and recreational...

Read More

Retail recovery key to an economic recovery

Getting the retail sector back on its feet must be a priority in the Federal Election, with retail contributing...

Getting the retail sector back on its feet must be a priority in the Federal Election, with retail contributing almost one fifth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today. ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown says retail contributes...

Read More

“Knives in the wrong hands fuel retail crime,” retailers say

Retailers have identified knives and blades as a weapon of choice in retail crime, triggering calls from the sector...

Retailers have identified knives and blades as a weapon of choice in retail crime, triggering calls from the sector to cut red tape around wanding and increase restrictions on knife sales. Data recently released by retail crime intelligence software company Auror revealed knives and blades made up over 50 per...

Read More

Retail update around Queensland and Northern New South Wales store operations

As Cyclone Alfred and heavy rainfall continues to threaten Queensland and Northern New South Wales, retailers have put preparations...

As Cyclone Alfred and heavy rainfall continues to threaten Queensland and Northern New South Wales, retailers have put preparations in place to ensure the safety of their teams, customers and stores. The intensity of the weather event has meant that many stores in affected areas are now closed until conditions...

Read More

ACCC announces 2025-26 compliance and enforcement priorities

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to focus its compliance and enforcement work...

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to focus its compliance and enforcement work to promote competition among business, promote fair trading by business and protect consumers in their dealings with business. The ACCC recently announced their 2025-26 Compliance and Enforcement priorities, with a key...

Read More

Relief for retailers with RBA cash rate decision

Retailers have called today’s decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia a welcome confidence boost but warned tough times...

Retailers have called today’s decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia a welcome confidence boost but warned tough times are far from over for the retail sector. Peak bodies, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA), said the impacts of subdued consumer spending coupled with high costs...

Read More

ARA x NRA response to QLD knife incident

“The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) continue to call for strengthened safety measures to protect...

“The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) continue to call for strengthened safety measures to protect retail workers amidst a concerning wave of violence in retail settings, with around 700,000 retail crime incidents recorded nationally in the past year. “We fully support retailers who are taking initiatives...

Read More

The National Retail Roadshow is Back for 2025 – Bigger, Better, and Bolder!

Get ready, retailers – our leading retail industry event is returning in 2025! The National Retail Roadshow is back, and...

Get ready, retailers – our leading retail industry event is returning in 2025! The National Retail Roadshow is back, and this time, it’s bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Mark your calendars and prepare to discover fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and unparalleled networking opportunities. It’s the perfect opportunity to kick...

Read More

Retailers urge RBA rate cut after Black Friday boost

Retailers have urged the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in February after successful Black Friday/Cyber Monday...

Retailers have urged the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates in February after successful Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales in November. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), retail turnover rose by 3 per cent compared with the same time last year. National Retail Association (NRA) Acting CEO Lindsay...

Read More