The National Retail Association (NRA) has released an ambitious blueprint designed to tackle the unprecedented challenges confronting the sector and set Australian retail on course for recovery.
The full impact from the outbreak of the Coronavirus is yet to be fully felt and it follows a summer of devastating drought and bushfires, as well as a number of established retail brands closing their doors in the last 12-18 months. The NRA is therefore advocating to respective state and federal governments the following:
- 12-month payroll tax ‘holiday’;
- Annual Wage Review exemption for bushfire & Coronavirus affected communities;
- Funding for financial education assistance;
- Instant asset write-off; and
- Safe Retail Precincts program extended to regional areas.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that although there was no silver bullet, the measures outlined in the Blueprint for Retail Recovery would great assist in getting the sector off the canvas.
“Coronavirus and its impact on retail is just the latest challenge to face the sector, following a summer of devastating drought and bushfires, as well as a flat economy more generally,” Ms Lamb said.
“The NRA is calling on all state governments to provide a temporary 12-month payroll tax ‘holiday’ to provide immediate financial relief to relevant businesses so that they can hire more staff and boost productivity.
“We’re advocating that businesses who have been directly impacted by the devastating bushfires and the outbreak of the Coronavirus be exempt from any changes emanating from the Annual Wage Review.
“The NRA is also urging the federal government to invest in a financial education assistance program to both engage and teach new small business owners on how navigate the financial challenges of running a business.
“The instant asset write-off has been an overwhelming success, however, it remains a year-by-year proposition in the Federal Budget. By elevating the scheme to a permanent status, the government would be providing greater certainty to SMEs to plan asset investments over the long term.
“The Safe Retail Precincts program, run by the NRA in conjunction with the Federal Government, has been highly successful in metropolitan areas in safeguarding shopping centres from threats such as crime and severe weather events. Extending the program to regional areas will assist in making a retail business in those communities more attractive, safer and affordable.”
A full copy of the Blueprint for Retail Recovery document and further details can be found attached.
Read our Blueprint for Retail Recovery
The National Retail Association is Australia’s most representative retail industry association, with more than 24,000 shop fronts nationwide. It has been serving businesses in the retail and fast food sectors for close to 100 years.
Dominique Lamb is available for interviews in Brisbane today.
Please contact the NRA’s media unit on 0467 792 013 or 07 3221 9222.