Weekly CEO Update

As the voice of modern retail, the National Retail Association speaks up for our sector on important issues and – more importantly – works to develop solutions to help members and the wider industry.  Sometimes it can be very frustrating that these important issues don’t receive the serious consideration...

Industrial relations reform was a hot topic as Federal Parliament kicked off last week, for the first time this year. The Government has put forward an omnibus bill containing a raft of changes, but is facing resistance from the Opposition who have pledged to vote against the legislation. The NRA does...

One month into 2021 and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take centre-stage. On Sunday, Western Australia became the latest state to impose a short-term, hard-lockdown following a hotel quarantine guard contracting the virus. The WA lockdown is due to last until this coming Friday, depending on the size and scope...

Federal Parliament will resume for the year in two weeks’ time, and the NRA will be renewing our lobbying efforts on a number of fronts to ensure the concerns of retailers are front of mind for the government, and indeed all MPs.  No doubt the hottest topic of discussion...

Late last year the Federal Government released a couple of seemingly contradictory decisions that affect thousands of small Australian retailers.  The first was to allow the sale of e-cigarettes and smoke free tobacco products for the first time, but to restrict sales to pharmacies and only with a prescription...

It’s traditional in our first newsletter each January to wish members and all retailers a happy new year.  I think though, those words carry a special significance in 2021. After the most challenging calendar year in memory, I think we are all looking forward to a “new” year –...

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...

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...

The final month of the year has arrived and we’re into the home stretch before the Christmas and New Year break. If it didn’t yet feel like we were getting back to life as normal, the sight of bustling shopping precincts on Black Friday certainly did remind us of the...

There’s an old saying that a week is a long time in politics and our members in South Australia know that only too well given what has transpired in the last seven days. Following a rise in COVID-19 cases, last Wednesday the Premier announced a six day ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown....

After a turbulent year, the retail Christmas trading period has officially kicked off.  Before I detail the various forecasts and trends that the NRA expects to see over the next six weeks, I’ll begin by addressing the latest COVID outbreak in South Australia. At the time of writing, a...

Australian retail is now heading into the final stretch of what has been a surreal, challenging and bizarre year for the sector and life in general. It’s hard to believe that we are now just some six weeks away from Christmas. Getting our Victorian members to reopen their doors again...

It’s difficult to believe that we’re heading into the final stretch of the most whirlwind year in recent memory. We’re now less than two weeks from the official start of the Christmas trade period and we all know just how important this year’s festive season will be for our...

At long last Victorian retailers have been provided with some good news over when they will be able to reopen. After announcing a pause on a lifting of restrictions on Sunday, yesterday Premier Daniel Andrews announced that as of 11:59pm Tuesday night, Melbourne shops will be allowed to recommence...

With daily case numbers now down to single digits, the Victorian Government has finally provided some greater clarity regarding the lifting of business restrictions for retailers across the state. From 2 November, Melbourne retailers will be allowed to reopen for trade. There will be a ‘dark reopening’ from 28 October,...

Following a year that has thrown up nothing but challenges for the retail sector, there was some welcome relief in last Tuesday’s Federal Budget from Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. With economies across the world plunged into recession it is an agonising time for anyone who operates a business, which is why...