Media Release

The passing of the Federal Government’s penalty rates bill undermines the independence of the Fair Work Commission and is a missed opportunity to create greater choice and flexibility that would lift salaries and improve job security, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today. ARA CEO...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) confirmed today that retailers across Australia are making major investments in creating safer workplaces in the face of significant industry challenges, especially in response to the surge in retail crime. Australian Retailers Association CEO, Chris Rodwell, reinforced that workplace wellbeing...

An alliance of nearly 30 groups representing Australia’s small, medium and large businesses, universities, farmers, retailers, pharmacies and the investment community is calling for red-tape reduction, planning and major project approvals reform, an innovation agenda, and a process for productive tax reform that doesn’t raise costs for consumers or...

Retailers welcome the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) announcement today of a 25-basis-point cut to take the cash rate to 3.6 percent as a vital confidence boost for their sector’s recovery. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said lower interest rates will encourage much-needed discretionary spending. “While...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) say the Federal Government’s new penalty rates bill strips away an opportunity for choice and flexibility for retailers and their employees to lift salaries and improve job security. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the Federal Government’s proposed bill effectively forbids...

Retailers said today’s Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to hold the cash rate at 3.85 per cent is a blow for consumer and business confidence and will undercut the recovery of the sector. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said retailers are disappointed by the...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) are concerned by a recent decision of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to issue a Supported Bargaining Authorisation covering McDonald’s franchisees in South Australia. This marks the first time such an authorisation has been granted in the retail...

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...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) today congratulated the members of the re-elected Labor Government ministry and welcomed the opportunity to work with Federal Cabinet to strengthen Australia’s economy. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said: “The need for productivity reform is urgent. We intend to forge...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) congratulate Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party on their return to government and stand ready to work together to improve conditions to allow Australia’s vital $430 billion retail sector to invest, grow and create jobs. ARA CEO and CEO...

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...