WA Retail Barring Orders a major step forward in protecting retail workers and communities

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the WA Government’s introduction of the Retail Barring...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the WA Government’s introduction of the Retail Barring Orders Bill 2025 (RBOs) — a significant milestone in efforts to combat repeat retail crime and strengthen safety across the sector.  The new laws will allow police and retailers to issue...

Read More

Retailers welcome bipartisan focus to tackle retail crime in Victoria

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the strengthened, bipartisan commitment to address Victoria’s retail crime crisis– with both the Government and Opposition signaling support for stronger protections for retail workers, including Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs)...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the strengthened, bipartisan commitment to address Victoria’s retail crime crisis– with both the Government and Opposition signaling support for stronger protections for retail workers, including Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) and tougher assault penalties. ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the renewed focus across Parliament shows retail crime is a shared priority. “It’s encouraging to see both sides of Victorian politics recognise the scale of the crisis and take action,” Mr Rodwell said. “Retail crime is not a political issue – it’s a community safety issue, and an urgent one.” The ARA and NRA strongly support...

Read More

Retailers welcome Victorian Government commitment to Workplace Protection Orders and worker assault legislation, but warn there’s no time to waste

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the Victorian Government’s commitment to Workplace Protection Orders...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the Victorian Government’s commitment to Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) and long-awaited new laws to strengthen penalties for assaults, abuse and harassment against retail workers — and urge the Government to act quickly to deliver real change.  ARA CEO Chris...

Read More

Retailers commend Queensland Government’s forward-thinking commitment to small business safety

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the Queensland Government’s continued commitment to retail and...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the Queensland Government’s continued commitment to retail and small business safety through Round 2 of the $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program — a practical investment to help small and family-run retailers deter crime and protect their teams.  The Crisafulli Government’s...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

Retail Crime and Effective Security Measures with Professor Michael Townsley

Retail crime is rising, with customer theft significantly increasing in recent years. In response, retailers have enhanced security and...

Retail crime is rising, with customer theft significantly increasing in recent years. In response, retailers have enhanced security and tightened shop floor environments, deploying more physical and technological security measures. However, the most common theft tactics remain simple and require no tangible experience or skill. How can we explain...

Read More

QLD: Joint effort to address knife violence

The National Retail Association has joined with the Queensland Police Minister to launch a new knife crime prevention campaign...

The National Retail Association has joined with the Queensland Police Minister to launch a new knife crime prevention campaign ‘End Knife Violence’ aligned to new laws restricting the sale of knives and other items. The new laws will come into effect 1 September this year, with retailers being encouraged to...

Read More

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,...

Read More

Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season

Safeguarding Your Business and Finances: A Comprehensive Guide to Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season As the holiday shopping...

Safeguarding Your Business and Finances: A Comprehensive Guide to Combatting Emerging Scams During the Holiday Season As the holiday shopping season unfolds with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas approaching, the risk of cybercrime and scams heightens. Also on the horizon is Scams Awareness Week (27 November – 1 December...

Read More

Empowering Retail Communities to Combat Crime this Holiday Season

The National Retail Association is working with retailers, industry experts, police and justice representatives to support businesses in taking...

The National Retail Association is working with retailers, industry experts, police and justice representatives to support businesses in taking proactive measures against retail crime. Last week, Deputy CEO and Director of NRA Legal, Lindsay Carroll joined the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) at their Customer Aggression and Violence...

Read More

Retailers welcome legislation to protect community from knife violence

The National Retail Association has welcomed the announcement from the Palaszczuk Government, which will seek to introduce new laws...

The National Retail Association has welcomed the announcement from the Palaszczuk Government, which will seek to introduce new laws to Parliament to restrict the sale of knives, certain other bladed items, and replica firearms (including gel blasters) to juveniles, in a commitment to protect the community and further combat...

Read More