November miracle for Australian retailers points to positive Christmas trade

Australian retailers enjoyed a pre-Christmas miracle in November, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting a 13.3 per cent...

Australian retailers enjoyed a pre-Christmas miracle in November, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting a 13.3 per cent increase in turnover compared with 12 months earlier. The ABS today released its final figures for November, announcing an increase from October of 7.1 per cent, seasonally adjusted. The strongest growth areas...

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Greater Brisbane lockdown: What you need to know

From 6pm tonight, people living in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands will be required to stay home until Monday 6:00pm in a bid to stop...

From 6pm tonight, people living in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands will be required to stay home until Monday 6:00pm in a bid to stop the spread of the highly-infectious United Kingdom strain of the virus. All residents in those areas need to stay at home unless it is for essential work, providing healthcare for a...

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Next phase of JobKeeper commences today

In accordance with previous announcements, the next phase in the winding-back of the JobKeeper Payment Scheme takes effect from...

In accordance with previous announcements, the next phase in the winding-back of the JobKeeper Payment Scheme takes effect from today, 4 January 2021. The amount of JobKeeper payments will be reduced as follows:     Businesses who have been receiving the payment also need to undertake the following tasks:   Re-assess business eligibility Businesses will only...

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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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Boxing Day shopping splurge to cap off festive season

The National Retail Association (NRA) is forecasting shoppers to splurge on Boxing Day purchases to cap off a successful...

The National Retail Association (NRA) is forecasting shoppers to splurge on Boxing Day purchases to cap off a successful festive season for one of Australia’s largest industries. Boxing Day is one of the signature events on the Australian retail calendar, with consumers descending on shopping centres in the hunt for...

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Queensland introduces mandatory electronic check ins

As of 1am, Wednesday 23 December 2020, all Queensland hospitality venues must have QR codes or electronic devices to...

As of 1am, Wednesday 23 December 2020, all Queensland hospitality venues must have QR codes or electronic devices to record patrons' attendance. Manual registers will no longer be allowed as all registration of patrons must be electronic moving forward. Electronic capture options include: QR code-accessed online forms Club membership visitation data Online...

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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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Message from the CEO | 15 December 2020

As we enter the final few weeks of a hectic year, there is no rest for retail. Christmas shopping continues...

As we enter the final few weeks of a hectic year, there is no rest for retail. Christmas shopping continues to go well across the country, thanks to consumer sentiment reaching a 10-year high. With Australians not descending across the world for holidays throughout summer, we are optimistic that discretionary...

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7 ways 2D scanners can transform your retail operations

The main interaction shoppers have with a retailer often comes at the point-of-sale. Retailers need fast and accurate transactions...

The main interaction shoppers have with a retailer often comes at the point-of-sale. Retailers need fast and accurate transactions to keep queues flowing smoothly, keep their customers returning time after time and provide an exceptional customer experience. Enter 2D scanners. 2D scanners can help retailers improve their customer service, encourage...

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South Australia introduces mandatory QR code check ins for retail

There have been updates to the mandatory QR code. Click the button to see the up-to-date information. [button size="" text="See...

There have been updates to the mandatory QR code. Click the button to see the up-to-date information.   From today, all general retail industry premises in South Australia must have a completed COVID Safe Plan and a QR code that customers will...

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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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Message from the CEO | 8 December 2020

There has been big news out of Canberra this week after the Morrison Government unveiled key industrial relations reforms...

There has been big news out of Canberra this week after the Morrison Government unveiled key industrial relations reforms that strongly relate to the retail sector. As you’re all aware, ever since a 2018 Federal Court ruling there has been a high degree of uncertainty across several industries in relation...

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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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Business Interruption Insurance Claims & COVID-19

Authored by Natasha Milne, Vincents   Last month, the NSW Court of Appeal ruled against insurers in the business interruption Test...

Authored by Natasha Milne, Vincents   Last month, the NSW Court of Appeal ruled against insurers in the business interruption Test Case, potentially opening the door for thousands of businesses to make an insurance claim. Covid-19 has caused significant disruption and losses of billions of dollars to businesses across many industries. Business interruption...

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Registrations have opened for the JobMaker hiring credit

Eligible employers are now able to register for the new JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme, being administered by the Australian...

Eligible employers are now able to register for the new JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme, being administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on behalf of the Government. The JobMaker Hiring Credit payment is a wage subsidy paid directly to employers that will help to accelerate growth in the employment of...

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