Modest August retail spending strengthens case for November rate cut

Spending in retail-related categories grew by a modest 3.7% in August compared to the same period in 2024, registering...

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...

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RBA’s interest rate hold concerns retailers ahead of peak retail season

Retailers say they are concerned the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision today to hold the cash rate at...

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...

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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 applaud Vic Opposition’s support for retail crime measures

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have today welcomed the Victorian Opposition’s support for stronger...

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have today welcomed the Victorian Opposition’s support for stronger retail crime initiatives, including the adoption of the knife protection measure Jack’s Law, which successfully works in Queensland. “Retail Crime is at a crisis point in Victoria. Unless we take active...

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Penalty Rates Bill slams the door on higher salaries, choice and flexibility

The passing of the Federal Government’s penalty rates bill undermines the independence of the Fair Work Commission and is...

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...

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Australian retailers committed to safer workplaces

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) confirmed today that retailers across Australia are making major...

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...

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New rules for WA produce & deli bags

Plastic barrier bags for loose fruit, vegetables, dry foods, meat, seafood, and dairy products are being phased out in...

Plastic barrier bags for loose fruit, vegetables, dry foods, meat, seafood, and dairy products are being phased out in WA. The change aims to reduce plastic waste and ensure compatibility with composting systems. What’s changing: From 1 October 2025: Plastic bags that don’t meet the new design standard for loose fruit,...

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Statement from the Alliance of Industry Associations on the Economic Reform Roundtable

An alliance of nearly 30 groups representing Australia’s small, medium and large businesses, universities, farmers, retailers, pharmacies and the...

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...

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Lower interest rates a welcome relief, critical banks pass on full cut

Retailers welcome the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) announcement today of a 25-basis-point cut to take the cash rate...

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...

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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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Retailers and their workers deserve greater choice and flexibility

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) say the Federal Government’s new penalty rates bill strips...

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...

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National Retail Association partner with Auror in fight against retail crime

The National Retail Association (NRA), soon to merge with the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) to become the Australian Retail...

The National Retail Association (NRA), soon to merge with the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) to become the Australian Retail Council, has formed a strategic partnership with global leader in retail crime intelligence, Auror, to work together to improve the safety of retail workers and address violence in retail crime...

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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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Interest rates hold a let-down for retailers as headwinds persist

Retailers said today’s Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to hold the cash rate at 3.85 per cent is...

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...

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Fair Work Commission’s McDonald’s ruling confirms risk of overreach in supported bargaining framework

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) are concerned by a recent decision of 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...

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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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