Retailers welcome common-sense move to reopen Victorian shops

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the common-sense announcement by the Victorian Premier that the state’s retailers will...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the common-sense announcement by the Victorian Premier that the state’s retailers will be able to reopen from 11:59pm this Tuesday night. It follows Victoria recording no new COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time since June. NRA Deputy CEO Lindsay Carroll...

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COVID-19 Update | 18 October 2020

Date for Victorian retail reopening has been announce In a much anticipated announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews has today confirmed that...

Date for Victorian retail reopening has been announce In a much anticipated announcement, Premier Daniel Andrews has today confirmed that Victorian hairdressers may reopen from 11.59pm tonight with strict safety protocols in place, and retail will reopen at 11.59pm on 1 November 2020. From this date, all remaining retail will open. Restaurants, cafes and...

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Extended supports for Victoria’s commercial tenants and landlords

The Victorian Government has made changes to extend the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (the Scheme) until the end of this...

The Victorian Government has made changes to extend the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme (the Scheme) until the end of this year. Under these changes, an eligible tenant who is seeking rent relief must apply to their landlord in writing with evidence that they are eligible for the Scheme as soon as possible. This is important as rent relief is only available from the date a tenant...

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COVID-19 Update | 27 September 2020

Victoria announces restrictions to ease from tonight in metropolitan Melbourne Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that from 11:59pm tonight,...

Victoria announces restrictions to ease from tonight in metropolitan Melbourne Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that from 11:59pm tonight, metropolitan Melbourne will be taking the second step on the Roadmap to Recovery. The National Retail Association welcomes further steps towards reopening, in particular noting that partial return to work...

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COVID-19 Update | 22 September 2020

Queensland releases updated COVID Safe Industry plan for Retail, Hair and Beauty Today the Queensland Government has released an updated...

Queensland releases updated COVID Safe Industry plan for Retail, Hair and Beauty Today the Queensland Government has released an updated version of the COVID Safe Industry Plan. Under Public Health Directions businesses must have plans to show how they will maintain compliance with the Directions. You can find the updated...

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Keeping customers engaged in the age of a pandemic

As personal interaction remains minimized, the time to optimize businesses’ online engagement is upon us. The unprecedented instantaneous economic challenges...

As personal interaction remains minimized, the time to optimize businesses’ online engagement is upon us. The unprecedented instantaneous economic challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on businesses on a global scale. To keep doors open, business owners across almost all sectors have no choice but to pivot,...

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COVID-19 Update | 6 September 2020

Victoria announces roadmap to reopening, retail to experience protracted wait time Premier Daniel Andrews today unveiled time frames to getting...

Victoria announces roadmap to reopening, retail to experience protracted wait time Premier Daniel Andrews today unveiled time frames to getting Victoria open again after the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, Melbourne is in Stage 4 restrictions. From 11:59pm on 13 September, they will take the First Step towards COVID Normal. Regional Victoria,...

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COVID-19 Update | 22 August 2020

Queensland imposes new COVID-19 restrictions Following a cluster of six cases of COVID-19 at a youth detention centre, the Queensland...

Queensland imposes new COVID-19 restrictions Following a cluster of six cases of COVID-19 at a youth detention centre, the Queensland Government has imposed further restrictions on gatherings in that State.   Gatherings in private residences and public spaces, such as parks, in the Greater Brisbane area will be limited to 10 people...

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Retail sales rebound in July, long road yet to recovery

Retail sales rebounded solidly to kick-start the 2020-21 financial year according to the preliminary report for July, released by...

Retail sales rebounded solidly to kick-start the 2020-21 financial year according to the preliminary report for July, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. The sector recorded a nationwide rise of 3.3 per cent on the June figures, while each state and territory experienced increased turnover except for...

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COVID-19 Update | 20 August 2020

Victorian Government extends ban on evictions and rental increases The Victorian Government will extend a ban on evictions and rental...

Victorian Government extends ban on evictions and rental increases The Victorian Government will extend a ban on evictions and rental increases until the end of the year, increase assistance and ensure tenant turnover is taken into account in rental negotiations – giving tenants certainty and security they won’t lose their...

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COVID-19 Update | 16 August 2020

Further clarification surrounding SA COVID Marshals As announced on Friday, 14 August, the South Australian Government will require hospitality and...

Further clarification surrounding SA COVID Marshals As announced on Friday, 14 August, the South Australian Government will require hospitality and certain retail venues to have a COVID Marshall on premises from Friday, 21 August 2020. You must have a COVID Marshal if your business or activity is or involves any of the following: Hospitality: Any business...

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COVID-19 Update | 14 August 2020

"COVID Marshalls" to become mandatory in South Australia COVID marshalls will soon be required at licensed premises, cafes and food...

"COVID Marshalls" to become mandatory in South Australia COVID marshalls will soon be required at licensed premises, cafes and food courts, large stores including Supermarkets/retailers/hardware, gyms, freight distribution centres, shopping centres/precincts and places of worship. The marshalls will be specially trained to ensure venues don’t exceed capacity, physical distancing is maintained...

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Retail Smarts Podcast | Face masks and #BunningsKaren with HygiMed

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Retail Smarts Podcast. National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb discusses the requirements to...

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Retail Smarts Podcast. National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb discusses the requirements to wear face masks in Victoria - so what mask should you choose? Dean Templeman and Julie Bebbington from HygiMed talk all things face masks, sanitisation, supply chain and PPE in...

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COVID-19 Update | 10 August 2020

Metropolitan Melbourne food courts to stay closed  The Victorian Government has decided that as part of metropolitan Melbourne stage 4...

Metropolitan Melbourne food courts to stay closed  The Victorian Government has decided that as part of metropolitan Melbourne stage 4 lock downs, food courts in shopping centres are to remain closed. Despite the fact that food and drink businesses in metropolitan Melbourne can stay open for takeaway and delivery only, the...

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COVID-19 Update | Summary of Stage 4 Restrictions in Victoria

Can I continue to trade? Only some retail businesses are allowed to be open to the general public. Others are...

Can I continue to trade? Only some retail businesses are allowed to be open to the general public. Others are permitted to operate in a limited capacity, such as providing delivery services and ‘click and collect’ for online orders. If you have a warehouse or distribution centre that dispatches online...

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COVID-19 Update | 5 August 2020

Victorian Government introduces "Permitted Worker Permit" From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August 2020, the Victorian Government is requiring the close down of...

Victorian Government introduces "Permitted Worker Permit" From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August 2020, the Victorian Government is requiring the close down of almost all businesses in the state, with the exception of specifically permitted industries and businesses. Please see below for the National Retail Association document outlining affected businesses in metropolitan Melbourne. The Victorian Government...

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