State in crisis: Victorians demand action on retail crime

Victorians are calling for action on retail crime with new research revealing 79% are concerned about the state’s rising crime...

Victorians are calling for action on retail crime with new research revealing 79% are concerned about the state’s rising crime levels.  With retail crime at crisis levels, the research supports calls by retailers and unions for the urgent introduction of Workplace Protection Orders, tougher laws and a dedicated retail crime police...

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NSW Retail Crime Strategy strengthens protections for retail workers and customers

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the launch today of the New South Wales Police...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the launch today of the New South Wales Police Force Retail Crime Strategy to tackle retail crime and keep communities safe across the state. Operation Percentile, a policing model targeting recidivist offending and high-harm retail offenders, is a key element of...

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Victorian retail crime crisis – up 20% to highest levels on record

New Victorian crime data confirms retail crime is at crisis levels, with retail stores a top target peak bodies the Australian...

New Victorian crime data confirms retail crime is at crisis levels, with retail stores a top target peak bodies the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today. The Victoria Government’s Crime Statistics Agency’s (CSA) report for the year ending June 2025 showed recorded retail crime offences in Victoria rose...

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Retailers call for urgent, national response to retail crime

In response to the alarming rise in retail crime across the country, retailers, government, police, unions and crime experts...

In response to the alarming rise in retail crime across the country, retailers, government, police, unions and crime experts are coming together to help improve safety and crime outcomes for retailers, teams and customers. The Shop Distributive Alliance (SDA), Victoria Police, and the Victorian Government, today, join the Australian Retailers...

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SA delays deli bag ban by 2 years

The ban on non-compostable plastic barrier bags for unpackaged wet proteins – dairy products, meat, poultry, fish and seafood...

The ban on non-compostable plastic barrier bags for unpackaged wet proteins – dairy products, meat, poultry, fish and seafood – originally set for 1 September 2025 in South Australia will now commence on 1 September 2027. Since the ban was announced, government consultation has been ongoing with feedback and evidence...

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Permanence of Queensland’s Jack’s Law will help fight scourge of retail crime and violence

The National Retail Association (NRA) and Australian Retailers Association (ARA) commend the Queensland Government for making permanent the pioneering...

The National Retail Association (NRA) and Australian Retailers Association (ARA) commend the Queensland Government for making permanent the pioneering Jack’s Law, saying it will give police immediate powers to proactively target potential violent offenders. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the historic legislation introduced to parliament this week is a vital...

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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...

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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...

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SA retail crime improvement highlights impact of focused government response

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have acknowledged positive results released this week by South...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have acknowledged positive results released this week by South Australia around retail theft and broader crime categories, as an example of what’s achievable nationally. South Australian Treasurer, Stephen Mulligan, said the state has seen a drop for the fifth consecutive...

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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...

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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...

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New mandatory information standard for toppling furniture – how to apply to your furniture products

The ACCC declared a new mandatory product standard in May 2024 setting a series of labelling and information requirements...

The ACCC declared a new mandatory product standard in May 2024 setting a series of labelling and information requirements for a range of free-standing furniture. The standard will come into effect on 4 May 2025. Businesses can access the legislative instrument here. The ACCC has also provided a set of...

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Info session: NSW Plastics Plan

Free information session for businesses Thursday 24 October 3pm AEDT Earlier this year, NSW EPA heard feedback on the NSW Plastics:...

Free information session for businesses Thursday 24 October 3pm AEDT Earlier this year, NSW EPA heard feedback on the NSW Plastics: Next Steps issues paper, which helped to inform the development of proposed actions on plastic pollution in NSW. The NSW Government has now published the NSW Plastics: The Way Forward action...

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Australian Government: Packaging Reform Consultation

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water...

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT Stakeholder update on Packaging Regulatory Reform Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Webinar: 25 September 2024, 11am - 12pm AEST - SOLD OUT *First session sold out, Second session announced: Thurs 26 Sept 11.30am Register here > UPDATE: Paper released: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/reform-of-packaging-regulation Join DCCEEW for an...

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Have your say: NSW Plastics Plan 2025-2030

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission...

New NSW Plastics Paper open for industry feedback now NSW EPA published an exploratory paper with a consultation and submission period early this year. National Retail provided an extensive submission and attended consultation workshops outlining industry's roadmap for single-use plastics and our recommended strategies to develop a truly circular economy...

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NSW Plastics Ban important updates and webinar

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The...

Businesses are encouraged to ensure they will be compliant with the NSW Plastics Ban as previous exemptions end soon. The NSW Plastic Ban came into effect in two stages during 2022. The ban included a range of items, such as single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls and lightweight plastic...

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