“Release the handbrake on high interest rates,” retailers urge

Desperate retail business owners are urging the Reserve Bank to release the handbrake on the economy, after the November...

Desperate retail business owners are urging the Reserve Bank to release the handbrake on the economy, after the November retail trade figures showed the Melbourne Cup Day rates hike stopped spending in its tracks. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today revealed spending in November, which has...

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Advocacy for members takes Center Stage in Festive Season Media Coverage

One of the most important roles for an industry organisation is to ensure its members are represented in public...

One of the most important roles for an industry organisation is to ensure its members are represented in public debate and discussion. The National Retail Association has a strong track record of speaking out on behalf of our members and the retail sector generally.  Understandably, media interest is strongest...

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A Retailer’s Guide to Back-to-School Success in Australia 2024

As the Australian summer draws to a close, the anticipation of a new school year begins to sweep across...

As the Australian summer draws to a close, the anticipation of a new school year begins to sweep across the nation. For retailers, the Back-to-School season presents a golden opportunity to engage with customers and boost sales. In 2024, strategic storytelling will be a key driver in capturing the attention of...

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50 of retail’s brightest minds lend their skills to charity for one day only

Melbourne, Victoria: MI Academy today announced Hack for Heros, a new iteration of the award-winning annual Hack Games event...

Melbourne, Victoria: MI Academy today announced Hack for Heros, a new iteration of the award-winning annual Hack Games event taking place during Retail Week on the 28th February 2024. The event typically focuses on developing innovative commercial solutions for the retail industry but for 2024 it’s changing it’s focus to...

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Changes coming for seafood country of origin labelling for hospitality businesses

In late November 2023, the Australian Government announced new rules around seafood Country of Origin Labelling for hospitality businesses. Consumer...

In late November 2023, the Australian Government announced new rules around seafood Country of Origin Labelling for hospitality businesses. Consumer ministers voted to introduce the AIM model which will require business to show if seafood for sale is either: Australian (A) Imported (I) Mixed origin (M), if a dish includes...

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Regulations to ban additional plastic products in SA

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage...

South Australia is committed to phasing out additional single-use and other plastic products over a 3-year period. The first stage of these bans commenced on 1 September 2023, and included plastic pizza savers, plastic-stemmed cotton buds, single-use plastic bowls without lids for food and beverages, and single-use plastic plates for...

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New regulations for fixed term contracts commence today

Utilising employees on a fixed term basis is an important tool for many businesses to undertake projects, cover long-term...

Utilising employees on a fixed term basis is an important tool for many businesses to undertake projects, cover long-term absences, and manage their workforce. However, as of 6 December 2023, new restrictions on the operation and duration of fixed term contracts have commenced, after being introduced as part of...

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The ARL consumer insights report

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian...

Recycling is still seen as the most impactful everyday behaviour consumers can do to help the environment. The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released the ARL Consumer Insights Report, and in fantastic news, awareness of the label continues to grow, and three-quarters of consumers are asking to see...

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Dr Geoffrey Annison on the establishment of a federal Anti-Modern Slavery Commissioner

On 3 November 2023, the Federal Government introduced the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 into Parliament...

On 3 November 2023, the Federal Government introduced the Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023 into Parliament establishing Australia’s first federal Anti-Modern Slavery Commissioner. This milestone event was, of course, expected as it was part of the Government’s policy platform going into the 2022 federal election, and...

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Welcoming Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry...

The National Retail Association is pleased to welcome Minderoo Foundation’s Sarah McEvoy as a Sustainability Consultant. Sarah will support industry by making regular contributions to our member communications on the latest research and policy developments across sustainability, plastic pollution and impacts on human health. Sarah McEvoy joined Minderoo Foundation in April...

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Strengthening Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Retail Businesses: A Vital Initiative by the Albanese Government

In response to the mounting cyber threats faced by small and medium businesses, the National Retail Association welcomes the...

In response to the mounting cyber threats faced by small and medium businesses, the National Retail Association welcomes the Australian Cyber Security Strategy introduced by the Albanese Government. Under the leadership of Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil, this comprehensive strategy, offers support for businesses vulnerable to cyber incidents,...

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Retailers call for rate relief as festive trade slows

Australian retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interest rates this month but have called for immediate...

Australian retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interest rates this month but have called for immediate rate relief as Christmas trade starts to quieten. New Governor Michele Bullock raised interest rates to 4.35 percent just before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to put a dampener...

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Rebates available to trim business waste-lines

New incentives are on offer in NSW workplaces to reduce waste, increase recycling, and improve the bottom line thanks...

New incentives are on offer in NSW workplaces to reduce waste, increase recycling, and improve the bottom line thanks to a $6 million rebate initiative over the next three years. NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, Kathy Giunta, said businesses, organisations, and councils are invited...

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Message from our Co CEO – 29 November

With only 26 days remaining until Christmas, retailers are full steam ahead with preparations for the upcoming Christmas and...

With only 26 days remaining until Christmas, retailers are full steam ahead with preparations for the upcoming Christmas and Boxing Day festive rush. The National Retail Association are proud to release the latest Quarterly Economic Outlook Report, exclusively crafted for our members. This report offers vital insights into the economy...

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Retailers banking on Christmas after sales dropped in October

Retailers are banking on a windfall from the Christmas sales period after the Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed...

Retailers are banking on a windfall from the Christmas sales period after the Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed a 0.2 percent drop in sales for the month of October. This comes after a 0.9 percent sales boost in September, which was undercut by the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase...

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

Retail Trade trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent in October 2023 and by 1.5 per cent year-on-year The latest release...

Retail Trade trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent in October 2023 and by 1.5 per cent year-on-year The latest release (October 2023) of the monthly ABS Retail Trade data indicates that the overall month-on-month (m-o-m) trend estimate increased by 0.3 percent, equal to 0.3 percent in September and August 2023....

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