Consumer confidence uptick boosts retail sales in May

Stable interest rates, higher wages, and the anticipation of energy subsidies and tax cuts from the Federal Budget encouraged...

Stable interest rates, higher wages, and the anticipation of energy subsidies and tax cuts from the Federal Budget encouraged consumers to seize early end-of-financial-year sales in May. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) May trade figures reveal that retail sales increased by 0.6 per cent month-on-month, and 1.7 per cent year-on-year. National...

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ACCC Announces 2024-25 Product Safety Priorities

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the...

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the risks posed by unsafe consumer goods. The ACCC recently announced their 2024-25 Product Safety Priorities. Young children’s product safety Consumer product safety issues for young children, with a focus on the safety...

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Better product stewardship: A great product for Australian retailers

What happens to the products we buy when they reach the end of their useful life? Increasingly, this is...

What happens to the products we buy when they reach the end of their useful life? Increasingly, this is on both customers’ and policy makers’ minds: will today's essential purchase become tomorrow's landfill mountain or pollution risk? Product stewardship schemes, in which brands or manufacturers take responsibility for their...

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Reserve Bank’s next decision could make or break retail’s biggest sales season

The Reserve Bank's next decision in August, will determine the fate of retail’s biggest trading season – Christmas. The National...

The Reserve Bank's next decision in August, will determine the fate of retail’s biggest trading season – Christmas. The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser’s comments that the Reserve Bank will consider declining retail trade before the Reserve Bank meets in August. NRA Director Rob Godwin said...

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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...

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NRF APAC Singapore June 2024

The National Retail Federation Big Show is traditionally held in New York each January, with thousands of exhibitors and...

The National Retail Federation Big Show is traditionally held in New York each January, with thousands of exhibitors and over 10,000 attendees from around the world. For the first time, the event has expanded its scope by moving to Singapore with the support of retail associations, suppliers, retail brands,...

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Retail growth stagnates as RBA refuses to budge on rate cuts 

Australian retailers are calling on the Reserve Bank to urgently cut interest rates as retail growth stagnates from low...

Australian retailers are calling on the Reserve Bank to urgently cut interest rates as retail growth stagnates from low spending and high cost-of-trading. Governor Michele Bullock held interest rates at 4.35 per cent this month, citing that inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022. National Retail Association Director Rob...

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Statement from National Retail Association Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association’s (SDA) latest bid to launch a Fair Work Commission (FWC) case to...

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association’s (SDA) latest bid to launch a Fair Work Commission (FWC) case to abolish junior rates for workers aged between 18 and 20 will risk pushing young people out of the retail labour market. The junior rates incentivise young entry-level workers, with little to...

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Seamless Australia: Working together to change the way people choose, enjoy and recycle clothing

Seamless is Australia’s clothing stewardship scheme that enables the clothing industry to do what no single organisation can do alone: Transform how clothing...

Seamless is Australia’s clothing stewardship scheme that enables the clothing industry to do what no single organisation can do alone: Transform how clothing is ​made, enjoyed and recycled in Australia. It aims to make the Australian clothing industry truly circular by 2030 and significantly reduce the 200,000 tonnes of clothing that currently goes...

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National Retail Roadshow – Wrap up ‘Performance’ Stream

We had an exciting day at the ‘Performance’ stream of our virtual retail roadshow yesterday, and we couldn't wait...

We had an exciting day at the ‘Performance’ stream of our virtual retail roadshow yesterday, and we couldn't wait to share the highlights with you. From AI innovations to cybersecurity essentials and mastering the customer journey, our experts shared invaluable insights to turbocharge your retail strategies. Thank you for...

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Retailers’ let down by wage decision amid historic trade slump

The National Retail Association (NRA) today expressed disappointment at the 3.75 per cent award wage increase handed down by...

The National Retail Association (NRA) today expressed disappointment at the 3.75 per cent award wage increase handed down by the Fair Work Commission, saying it will intensify pressure on struggling businesses, particularly small businesses. The NRA advocated for the Commission to exercise restraint, given the current growth rate in retail...

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Retailers’ 2024 Federal Budget Take

Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll Measures contained in the recent Federal Budget, although generous in some areas, reflects a significant disconnect...

Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll Measures contained in the recent Federal Budget, although generous in some areas, reflects a significant disconnect with the challenges small retailers are currently facing. The $41.7 million over four years for supporting small businesses is a positive step but falls short of addressing the broader issues...

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April trade figures reveal unrelenting pressure on retailers

ABS April trade figures reveal the Federal Budget missed the opportunity to effectively address unrelenting pressures confronting retail owners. National...

ABS April trade figures reveal the Federal Budget missed the opportunity to effectively address unrelenting pressures confronting retail owners. National Retail Association Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll said April retail trade had gone backwards in real terms, given that the 0.1 per cent increase to sales can be tied to inflated...

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National Retail Roadshow – Wrap up

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, speakers, and attendees for making yesterday's virtual roadshow event a resounding...

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, speakers, and attendees for making yesterday's virtual roadshow event a resounding success. Your engagement and insights are invaluable as we work towards a more sustainable future in the retail sector. Here's a wrap-up of what we covered, plus some exciting announcements...

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Retailers back tough new penalties to combat assault on Victorian workers

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s move to implement tough new penalties for people who...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s move to implement tough new penalties for people who assault retail workers. The new laws will bring Victoria into line with other state and territories on the issue with a Bill to Parliament to be introduced in 2025. NRA Director of...

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Police and retailers collaborate to combat knife crime

The National Retail Association has officially partnered with the Queensland Police Service to educate retailers on new legislation which...

The National Retail Association has officially partnered with the Queensland Police Service to educate retailers on new legislation which will see knives and other controlled items prohibited from sale to minors, as well as requirements for secure storage of particular items prior to sale. The new laws are part of...

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