Have your say: NT single-use plastics ban

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The...

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The following items are being considered for phase-out: Plastic bags (heavy weight) Plastic straws Plastic utensils and stirrers Plastic bowls and plates Expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers EPS consumer goods...

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NSW retailers welcome move to criminalise worker abuse

Peak industry body the National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed New South Wales Labor's move to make it an...

Peak industry body the National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed New South Wales Labor's move to make it an offence to assault retail workers, as the country becomes one step closer to criminalising this behaviour nationwide. Chief Executive Greg Griffith said the move aligns with the NRA’s position to protect...

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Message from our CEO – 14 March 202

Australia’s $400 billion retail industry is experiencing seismic shifts in the way households adapt to the cost of living...

Australia’s $400 billion retail industry is experiencing seismic shifts in the way households adapt to the cost of living pressures and interest rates. While it is near impossible to predict consumer behaviour in the months ahead, members can prepare for the next quarter with an understanding of the sector’s economic...

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Changes to Workplace Gender Equality Agency reporting for 2023

Last week many organisations around the country celebrated International Women’s Day, however statistics show that there is still plenty...

Last week many organisations around the country celebrated International Women’s Day, however statistics show that there is still plenty of work to do to achieve true gender parity. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) report that Australia’s current national gender pay gap is 13.3%, meaning on average for every...

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Inflation and its impact on rental and resale retail services

Article by: Salim Biskri, National Leader, Retail Partner, Audit and Assurance at BDO Australia --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just like the rest of the world, Australians...

Article by: Salim Biskri, National Leader, Retail Partner, Audit and Assurance at BDO Australia --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just like the rest of the world, Australians are feeling the pinch. With increasing energy costs, higher food prices and the biggest jump in interest rates in decades, households are expected to cut back on discretionary spending. Reuters reports...

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Message from our CEO – 7 March 202

Last week the National Retail Association (NRA) released the 3rd edition of our Quarterly Economic Outlook Report, delving into...

Last week the National Retail Association (NRA) released the 3rd edition of our Quarterly Economic Outlook Report, delving into the key statistics from the December quarter and what to look out for in the months ahead. In what is typically the strongest period for retail, new market shifts have emerged...

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NRA welcomes grants to improve energy efficiency among SMEs

The National Retail Association (NRA) has urged small and medium businesses to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $62...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has urged small and medium businesses to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $62 million grant program to help lower the cost of energy bills. The Government announced that from today, a $16 million investment to fund energy-saving measures such as high-efficiency air-conditioners or replacing...

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Hand them over: First charges under WA Work Health and Safety Act may result in fines of $1.87m

Western Australia’s WorkSafe regulator (WorkSafe), the State’s body tasked with enforcing the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA)...

Western Australia’s WorkSafe regulator (WorkSafe), the State’s body tasked with enforcing the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) (Act), has laid charges under the Act for the first time against a company for failing to produce documents. The recently amended Act, which came into force in March 2022, provides...

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2023 Easter and Anzac Day and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions

The National Retail Association (NRA) has updated our Easter and Anzac Day Public holidays and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has updated our Easter and Anzac Day Public holidays and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions factsheet. Our factsheet details a complete summary for each State and Territory, including changes that have recently been made in Western Australia and South Australia and whether you are entitled to...

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Cost of living crunch causes a slow start for retail spending

The Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures released today reveal a spending increase of 1.9 per cent, as...

The Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures released today reveal a spending increase of 1.9 per cent, as Aussie consumers reel in their spending to manage the cost of living crisis. National Retail Association CEO Greg Griffith said the slow start to the year was expected as the impact...

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Message from our CEO – 28 February 2023

Last week the federal government announced a $62 million grant package to give retailers some relief from the rising...

Last week the federal government announced a $62 million grant package to give retailers some relief from the rising cost of energy. I encourage members to apply for a grant between $10,000 to $25,000 to go towards energy-saving measures for your business, such as high-efficiency air conditioners or the installation...

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Stay up to date with the latest sustainability movements

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their...

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. 1. Single-Use Plastics Summary table: See the latest update to our summary table of all single-use plastic regulations in Australia and New Zealand: https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/action-on-single use-plastics/    2. Plastic bans across AU/NZ: Need...

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July 1 Student visa changes loom as a challenge for retail

Retail and hospitality businesses that employ student visa holders need to be aware of looming changes to limits of...

Retail and hospitality businesses that employ student visa holders need to be aware of looming changes to limits of work hours, which will take force from July 1. Student visa holders will be limited to 48 hours work per fortnight, which the Federal Government says will enable them to...

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WA passes more plastic bans

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and...

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and containers, over the next 3 years. The National Retail Association delivered a comprehensive engagement program in WA in 2022 to assist with the Stage 1 ban, visiting over 4300 retailers, providing...

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SMEs urged to take advantage of energy efficiency grants

The National Retail Association has urged small and medium businesses to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $62 million...

The National Retail Association has urged small and medium businesses to take advantage of the Federal Government’s $62 million grant program to help lower the cost of energy bills. The Government announced this week that grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 will be available to SMEs to fund energy-saving measures...

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Message from our CEO – 21 February 2023

The NRA is leading retail through a new wave of ESG, with the appointment of our new specialist policy...

The NRA is leading retail through a new wave of ESG, with the appointment of our new specialist policy consultant, Dr Geoffrey Annison. The expansion of our policy and advocacy to focus on the broader pillars of sustainability, health and corporate social governance is an indicator of how much the...

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