Message from the CEO: 10 October 2016

As you know, the NRA speaks up on a range of issues that affect not only members and other...

As you know, the NRA speaks up on a range of issues that affect not only members and other retailers, but also their employees and the entire retail sector. And while we’ve had a lot of success in recent years bringing major issues to the attention of government, sometimes...

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Message from the CEO: 3 October 2016

Last week I mentioned the ongoing review of the General Retail Industry Award, and specifically the issue of penalty...

Last week I mentioned the ongoing review of the General Retail Industry Award, and specifically the issue of penalty rates for Sundays.  This week I attended a talk on the issue by the President of the Fair Work Commission, Justice Iain Ross.  While he didn’t comment on the likely...

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Message from the CEO: 26 September 2016

The NRA has this week led a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison,...

The NRA has this week led a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, and Queensland Senator James McGrath, to discuss the Coalition’s second term agenda, and to further expand on ways to reduce regulatory burdens which reduce business profitability,...

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Termination of bully upheld as a fair dismissal

A mineworker, along with two other colleagues who were dismissed for bullying a fellow employee by boxing his vehicle...

A mineworker, along with two other colleagues who were dismissed for bullying a fellow employee by boxing his vehicle in on a highway, failed to convince the FWC that they were dismissed unfairly. Rio Tinto subsidiary Coal & Allied Mining Services Pty Ltd (Mt Thorley) conducted an investigation into the...

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Message from the CEO: 19 September 2016

It’s been a big week for the NRA with our spectacular Rewards for Excellence Gala on Wednesday night in...

It’s been a big week for the NRA with our spectacular Rewards for Excellence Gala on Wednesday night in Sydney, and former CEO, Trevor Evans MP delivering his Maiden Speech to the Australian Parliament. The 2016 NRA Rewards for Excellence Gala was held on Wednesday night at the Sofitel in...

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Message from the CEO: 12 September 2016

This coming Wednesday evening September 14, the National Retail Association is eagerly anticipating one of our hallmark events for...

This coming Wednesday evening September 14, the National Retail Association is eagerly anticipating one of our hallmark events for the year, with our Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner occurring at the Sofitel Sydney. It promises to be a spectacular event, with winners to be announced in several award categories. Rewards...

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Message from the CEO: 5 September 2016

Last week’s retail trade data may not have been the most high-profile activity performed by the Australian Bureau of...

Last week’s retail trade data may not have been the most high-profile activity performed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in recent months.  That honour clearly went to the national Census.  But in terms of outcomes, this exercise was almost as disappointing! The ABS reported that retail trade flatlined in...

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Message from the CEO: 29 August 2016

There were two major developments in retail this week which show just how volatile our sector can be, and...

There were two major developments in retail this week which show just how volatile our sector can be, and how challenging the environment remains for retail business owners. The first was the seemingly inevitable announcement that the Masters hardware chain would close its doors before the end of the...

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Message from the CEO: 22 August 2016

There’s nothing more frustrating and soul-destroying for any business owner than to see the results of your hard work...

There’s nothing more frustrating and soul-destroying for any business owner than to see the results of your hard work disappear into the pockets of complete strangers. Yet we know that’s the daily reality for many small business owners in the retail space. That’s why your association is working actively with law...

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Message from the CEO: 15 August 2016

Last week we discussed the Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures for June, which continued a year-long pattern...

Last week we discussed the Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures for June, which continued a year-long pattern for the sector of almost standing still when population growth is factored in. As we’ve been analysing the highlights of the industry over the last year, however, there have generally...

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Message from the CEO: 8 August 2016

Last week saw two lots of major news for the retail sector, and overall it was a mixed bag....

Last week saw two lots of major news for the retail sector, and overall it was a mixed bag. Tuesday’s announcement by the Reserve Bank of a cut to official interest was good news at first glance, even though it carried the underlying warning from the RBA of weakness...

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A Message from the CEO: 1 August 2016

The NRA’s primary goal is to give our members the support and expert advice you need to see your...

The NRA’s primary goal is to give our members the support and expert advice you need to see your business prosper and grow. And that’s why we have a range of in-house expertise in human resource management, trading hours, product compliance, training, leasing and a number of other areas. As...

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A Message from the CEO: 25 July 2016

The National Retail Association (NRA) welcomes the reappointment of Senator Michaelia Cash as the Minister for Employment in the...

The National Retail Association (NRA) welcomes the reappointment of Senator Michaelia Cash as the Minister for Employment in the re-elected Turnbull Government. We view this as a very clear signal that the Government intends to pursue the industrial relations agenda for which it received a mandate at the election....

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A Message from the CEO: 18 July 2016

The re-elected Turnbull Government has this week shown a dawning awareness of the real challenges confronting the Australian economy,...

The re-elected Turnbull Government has this week shown a dawning awareness of the real challenges confronting the Australian economy, with a number of MPs drawing attention to unemployment and faltering economic conditions, particularly in regional areas. For the retail sector, the difficult trading conditions in some market segments were highlighted...

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Message from the Chair of the NRA

I am very pleased to announce that the National Retail Association has appointed Ms Dominique Lamb as our new...

I am very pleased to announce that the National Retail Association has appointed Ms Dominique Lamb as our new Chief Executive Officer. Many of you will already be familiar with Dominique, given her previous role as Principal of the Association’s law firm, NRA Legal. In this position she has...

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Message from the CEO: 4 July 2016

I’m sure most of us will be well and truly tired of the Federal Election campaign and the wash-up...

I’m sure most of us will be well and truly tired of the Federal Election campaign and the wash-up over the weekend, so I was hoping I would be able to use this column to reflect on the winner, and what it means for the retail sector. Of course,...

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