New state regulations for QR code contract tracing – what retailers need to know

Over the past few weeks, many State Governments have made contact tracing mandatory and introduced enhanced QR Code contact tracing measures to make the process more efficient...

Over the past few weeks, many State Governments have made contact tracing mandatory and introduced enhanced QR Code contact tracing measures to make the process more efficient and help stop the spread of COVID 19.    QR codes operate like barcodes and are read using smartphone cameras. If a patron does not have a smartphone, or chooses not to use a QR code to check-in, businesses must maintain a manual contact register,...

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Health Minister needs to listen to his government colleagues on vaping

Australian retailers have urged the Federal Health Minister to listen to his government colleagues and allow small businesses to...

Australian retailers have urged the Federal Health Minister to listen to his government colleagues and allow small businesses to supply smoke-free alternatives to current consumers of cigarettes and tobacco products. The Chair’s report from the Senate Committee on Tobacco Harm Reduction, released today, sets out a clear and rational case...

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New action on unnecessary plastic packaging  

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has published the APCO Action Plan for Problematic and Unnecessary Single-Use Plastic Packaging, designed to help Australia’s...

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has published the APCO Action Plan for Problematic and Unnecessary Single-Use Plastic Packaging, designed to help Australia’s packaging supply chain phase out problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through innovative and sustainable solutions.    The action plan will help drive the necessary change at each step of the packaging supply chain...

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Retailers back the Morrison Government’s vital industrial relations reforms

The National Retail Association has welcomed proposed legislation by the Morrison Government to provide greater clarity on casual employment...

The National Retail Association has welcomed proposed legislation by the Morrison Government to provide greater clarity on casual employment laws and prevent job-destroying backpay claims. The Bill to be introduced before Federal Parliament this week seeks to provide greater clarity to both workers and employers regarding pay entitlements while also...

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SafeCity Network Crime Alert: Counterfeit banknotes on the rise

Retailers have reported a rise in the frequency and quality of counterfeit bank notes. The busy Christmas shopping season...

Retailers have reported a rise in the frequency and quality of counterfeit bank notes. The busy Christmas shopping season is prime time for counterfeit notes to pass through without detection as staff don't have the time to check. Though fake $50 notes remain the most popular, with the release of...

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NEWSFLASH – SA Government seeking urgent input on the single-use plastic legislation

Green Industries SA (GISA) are urgently seeking South Australian business input via a survey designed to benchmark awareness and...

Green Industries SA (GISA) are urgently seeking South Australian business input via a survey designed to benchmark awareness and knowledge of the single-use plastic legislation. South Australian businesses, especially those in food and hospitality, should take notice and contribute their feedback as this legislation will affect your business. Businesses can be...

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Retailers call last straw for single-use plastics

The National Retail Association (NRA) supports the re-introduction of legislation to ban single-use plastic items in Queensland, starting with straws, stirrers,...

The National Retail Association (NRA) supports the re-introduction of legislation to ban single-use plastic items in Queensland, starting with straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates.   The NRA commends the Queensland Government’s strong track record reducing the devastating impact of plastic waste and protecting our environment and marine life.   The NRA is proud to be active...

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16 major Queensland towns facing a four-day grocery drought at Christmas

Queenslanders in 16 major regional centres have been warned to brace for an unprecedented four-day closure, as a result...

Queenslanders in 16 major regional centres have been warned to brace for an unprecedented four-day closure, as a result of the state’s antiquated trading hours laws.  Because of how the gazetted public holidays fall in 2020, major stores in regional areas will be forced to shut their doors at 6pm...

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WA retailers can trade longer for public holidays in 2021

The WA Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in metropolitan Perth on each...

The WA Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in metropolitan Perth on each of the three public holidays of Labour Day, Easter Monday and the ANZAC Day public holiday next year. The extension to permitted opening times means general retail shops will be able...

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E-commerce businesses pledge to improve product safety online

Today the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched the Australian Product Safety Pledge, aiming to protect Australian consumers...

Today the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched the Australian Product Safety Pledge, aiming to protect Australian consumers from safety risks when shopping online by strengthening product safety measures across online businesses. NRA advocacy Industry has pushed for online product safety to be on the agenda for regulators for a...

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Government drives demand for recycled materials

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released a new report Supporting Government Procurement of Recycled Materials aimed at driving...

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released a new report Supporting Government Procurement of Recycled Materials aimed at driving Australian demand for recycled materials through the sizeable impact of government procurement. The report outlines that: achieving the 2025 National Packaging Targets will require action throughout the packaging value chain, including...

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Grants available to improve Brisbane suburban shopfronts

Brisbane City Council is offering grants for suburban retailers outside Brisbane CBD to improve their shopfronts. The Suburban Shopfront...

Brisbane City Council is offering grants for suburban retailers outside Brisbane CBD to improve their shopfronts. The Suburban Shopfront Improvement Grant Program is designed to drive suburban economic vitality by helping businesses and property owners to upgrade their shopfronts. Grants Grants are available for long-term, street-level improvements to suburban...

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Empty suburban Brisbane shopfronts to be filled

As Brisbane recovers from COVID lockdown the Brisbane City Council is bringing the suburbs back to life by encouraging...

As Brisbane recovers from COVID lockdown the Brisbane City Council is bringing the suburbs back to life by encouraging pop-up use of empty suburban shopfronts. Suburban Shopfront Activation is an innovative pilot program that encourages property owners with vacant premises in Brisbane suburbs to provide temporary use of their spaces...

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Retail pushes for the safety of toys sold online

This World Children’s Day retailers and businesses are doing their part in protecting children by ensuring all toys sold...

This World Children’s Day retailers and businesses are doing their part in protecting children by ensuring all toys sold online are safe for children and removing unsafe toys immediately. The ACCC is co-leading the OECD global awareness campaign on the safety of toys sold online, which aims to help consumers make an...

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Retail applauds Woolworths ground-breaking sustainability targets

Woolworths, one of Australia's most popular supermarket chains, has announced that it will commit to source 100% of its...

Woolworths, one of Australia's most popular supermarket chains, has announced that it will commit to source 100% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2025. Peak retail body, the National Retail Association (NRA), has applauded Woolworths Group for its 2025 Sustainability Plan released yesterday which sets ground-breaking targets encompassing...

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Key guidelines on children’s apparel product safety released

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today released the second revision of the Children’s Apparel Product Safety Guidelines in...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today released the second revision of the Children’s Apparel Product Safety Guidelines in an effort to improve child safety. The guidelines have been researched and compiled by the National Retail Association Technical Standards Committee group of quality assurance and product compliance specialists. Children’s apparel...

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