New NSW COVID-19 business support packages released

Businesses, workers and the performing arts across NSW are all set to benefit from a major financial support package...

Businesses, workers and the performing arts across NSW are all set to benefit from a major financial support package of more than $1 billion to help those that have been hardest hit by the Omicron wave. The package, which commences from February 1 includes: A minimum payment of $500 per...

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Peak retail body NRA announces new partnership with market leading super fund, Active Super

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed market leading super fund, Active Super, to its partnership network. The NRA...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed market leading super fund, Active Super, to its partnership network. The NRA considers Active Super’s investment philosophy, particularly surrounding the environment and education for women’s inequality in superannuation, a key priority. The NRA has an unparalleled track record amongst associations when it comes...

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BAC Wage Subsidy Program helping businesses with employee wages

DID YOU KNOW…  That businesses that enrol their staff in traineeships before March 2022 are eligible to receive a government...

DID YOU KNOW…  That businesses that enrol their staff in traineeships before March 2022 are eligible to receive a government wage subsidy of up $28,000 a year per employee? The incentive is a part of the BAC Wage Subsidy Program, which aims to assist in the recovery from the economic impact...

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ACT Government business support measures extended

The ACT Government will extend a range of existing support measures and introduce a 2022 funding round for the...

The ACT Government will extend a range of existing support measures and introduce a 2022 funding round for the successful Amp It Up! grant program. The measures to be extended include: the closing date of the Small Business Hardship Scheme from 31 January to 28 February the food business registration fee waiver...

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Rent relief schemes extended in Victoria and NSW

The National Retail Association is pleased to hear that the Victorian and New South Wales Governments have extended their...

The National Retail Association is pleased to hear that the Victorian and New South Wales Governments have extended their commercial tenancy support schemes to March 2022. The NRA has lobbied hard for this crucial support to be extended for struggling small business owners, and we continue to advocate for...

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Supporting retailers with the WA plastics ban

On 17 December 2021, the WA Environmental Protection Regulations Amendment (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2021 were published in...

On 17 December 2021, the WA Environmental Protection Regulations Amendment (Prohibited Plastics and Balloons) Regulations 2021 were published in the Western Australian Government gazette. This is an amendment to the previous regulations and the new regulations incorporating these changes will be available soon.   Help for retailers The NRA has been officially...

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Small business mental health service extended for those impacted by COVID-19 and natural disasters

Beyond Blue has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to continue its NewAccess for Small Business Owners service to December...

Beyond Blue has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to continue its NewAccess for Small Business Owners service to December 2022. The $4.1 million in additional funding for the service means Beyond Blue can continue supporting the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners impacted by the pandemic and natural...

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Message from the CEO | 11 January 2022

It’s traditional in our first newsletter each January to wish members and all retailers a happy new year. We...

It’s traditional in our first newsletter each January to wish members and all retailers a happy new year. We know from official data and industry feedback that many retailers ended 2021 very strongly. The Australian Bureau of Statistics this week reported a 7.3 per cent increase in turnover for...

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Now is the time to refocus and establish a strong financial foundation

Partner article   Now that the Christmas rush is over, it is important to refocus on your business and consider its...

Partner article   Now that the Christmas rush is over, it is important to refocus on your business and consider its liquidity and cash needs over the next two quarters. Successful businesses need a strong strategic foundation, detailed, accurate data and insights to make the right business decisions. All too often...

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Isolation exemption for workers critical to food supply

Critical workers in the food logistics and manufacturing sectors furloughed as close contacts in New South Wales will be...

Critical workers in the food logistics and manufacturing sectors furloughed as close contacts in New South Wales will be permitted to leave self isolation to attend work if they have no symptoms of COVID-19 to ensure the state has continued access to essential goods.  Workers will only be eligible to...

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Important changes for QLD essential workers

Critical Queensland workers will be able to provide essential services while they are classified contacts provided they meet strict...

Critical Queensland workers will be able to provide essential services while they are classified contacts provided they meet strict health criteria. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move was restricted to a narrow range of industries to ensure essential services and supplies like groceries, petrol, energy, water, freight and others could...

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Trading exemption for South Australian retailers this Australia Day

The Hon Rob Lucas MLC, Treasurer, has today declared an exemption for the Australia Day public holiday - Wednesday, 26...

The Hon Rob Lucas MLC, Treasurer, has today declared an exemption for the Australia Day public holiday - Wednesday, 26 January 2022, that will enable non-exempt shops in the Metropolitan Shopping District and Glenelg Tourist Precinct (the Adelaide suburban area) to trade between the hours of 11.00 am and 5.00 pm on that day. The National Retail Association...

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Sanity prevails as Victoria updates Public Health Orders

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has determined that from 11.59pm tonight, Victoria will update coronavirus restrictions to provide more freedoms. The...

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has determined that from 11.59pm tonight, Victoria will update coronavirus restrictions to provide more freedoms. The National Retail Association has been extremely vocal about the need for these changes are more stories of customer violence in non-essential retail emerged. We are delighted that our advocacy has...

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Retailers reveal spend for 10-day Christmas countdown

The National Retail Association (NRA) has revealed that Australians are set to splurge over $20.5 billion in the final...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has revealed that Australians are set to splurge over $20.5 billion in the final 10 days before Christmas. With just days until Santa rides his sleigh into town consumers are set to descend on shopping centres across the country in the mad final rush before...

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Message from the CEO | 14 December 2021

With 11 days remaining until Christmas, there is no rest for retail. The National Retail Association has predicted a massive...

With 11 days remaining until Christmas, there is no rest for retail. The National Retail Association has predicted a massive $20.5 billion spend to occur nationwide in these final days. Consumer sentiment has reached an 11-year high, and we expect to see an 8% increase on spending for the holidays. Further...

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Have your say on the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS)

Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Michael Sukkar today released consultation on Improving the effectiveness of the consumer guarantee and supplier...

Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Michael Sukkar today released consultation on Improving the effectiveness of the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The consultation paper includes options for civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers that fail to provide a consumer guarantees remedy, and manufacturers that...

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