Media Release

Fair Work Commission approval paves way for new era of unity and leadership in retail  The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) approval of their amalgamation — the final step in establishment of the Australian Retail Council (ARC), which will officially...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have welcomed the passing of Workplace Protection Order (WPO) legislation in the South Australian Parliament — a landmark moment for retail worker safety and a major step forward in the national fight against retail crime.  ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the...

Today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing a 4.3% rise in retail spending over the past year reflects a solid foundation for retailers as they enter the vital pre-Christmas trading season the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today. The Monthly Household Spending Indicator for September 2025 shows total...

Retailers have applauded plans to introduce a new bill into South Australian Parliament to establish Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs), giving police and courts stronger powers to keep repeat offenders out of retail stores. Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Chris Rodwell said the SA Government is setting the standard in leading...

Abolishing junior wage rates would significantly reduce retail employment opportunities for young Australians, and many small businesses say it would force them to select more experienced workers, according to new research. The results come at a time when youth unemployment is rising and sits at more than double the...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have cautioned that the Federal Government’s proposed supermarket pricing legislation risks tangling business in unnecessary red tape, running counter to the Federal Government’s commitment to improve productivity. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the best way to improve competition and put...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have welcomed the Federal Government’s refinements to Australia’s upcoming merger control regime, including an important exemption for routine retail leases and other low-risk transactions. The changes, announced today by Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Dr Andrew Leigh...

A Federal Court judgment regarding historical entitlements of salaried staff under the General Retail Industry Award (GRIA) will be far-reaching and add further complexity and red tape to salaried employment across all industry sectors, Australia’s leading business groups said today. In a joint statement, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and...

Spending in retail-related categories grew by a modest 3.7% in August compared to the same period in 2024, registering $37.8 billion in sales, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This moderation in recent performance underlines the need for the RBA to stay vigilant in considering...

Retailers say they are concerned the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision today to hold the cash rate at 3.6 per cent will suppress spending during the most important retail sales period of the year. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said a pre-Christmas rate cut...