Media Release

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...

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...

Retail peak bodies, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) have announced a proposed amalgamation, which will once approved by their respective members create a single unified body representing the $420 billion sector. The two not-for-profit organisations have signed a heads-of-agreement for the amalgamation proposal and...

The National Retail Association has called on the Federal Government to address the cost-of-trading crisis confronting Australian retail in its May Budget, after ABS March trade figures revealed a 0.4 per cent (seasonally adjusted) drop in sales. National Retail Association Deputy CEO Lindsay Carroll said any momentum gained by Taylor Swift’s...

Implementing sustainable practices entail significant upfront costs for businesses, and as retailers struggle through a cost-of-trading crisis, owners are looking for cost saving measures in their transition to a low carbon future. According to a recent Retail Sentiment Report released by the National Retail Association, only 16 per cent of businesses will...

Ballooning wages bills, energy costs and insurance premiums are driving a pessimistic outlook for Australia’s retail businesses, promoting calls for the Government to put the cost-of-trading on the Federal Budget agenda. The National Retail Association today released its 2024 Retail Sentiment Report, which has revealed deep concerns among business owners...

Australian retailers are calling on the Reserve Bank to urgently cut interest rates as inflation slows and businesses struggle with high cost-of-trading. Governor Michele Bullock held interest rates at 4.35 per cent this month, citing slowed economic growth and inflation holding steady at 3.4 per cent over the year to January. National Retail Association...

Latest trade figures reveal the uphill struggle retailers face in 2024 if consumer sentiment remains low and trade continues to slow, despite Australia’s population boom. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today revealed spending in January rose 1.1 per cent following a stark drop of 2.1 per...

Desperate retail business owners are urging the Reserve Bank to release the handbrake on the economy, after the November retail trade figures showed the Melbourne Cup Day rates hike stopped spending in its tracks. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today revealed spending in November, which has...

Australian retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interest rates this month but have called for immediate rate relief as Christmas trade starts to quieten. New Governor Michele Bullock raised interest rates to 4.35 percent just before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to put a dampener...

Retailers are banking on a windfall from the Christmas sales period after the Australian Bureau of Statistics today revealed a 0.2 percent drop in sales for the month of October. This comes after a 0.9 percent sales boost in September, which was undercut by the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase...