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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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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RBA cash relief to boost retail recovery

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per...

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent was welcomed by the retail industry today, as an encouraging boost for Australia’s retail recovery. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said although the interest rate...

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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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