Why don’t we talk about the cost-of-trading crisis?

Deputy CEO Lindsay Carroll Entering the new year, cost-of-living has been making headlines across Australia, in our households and within...

Deputy CEO Lindsay Carroll Entering the new year, cost-of-living has been making headlines across Australia, in our households and within the halls of power alike. Every policymaker in the country, from parliamentarians to the Reserve Bank, seem to be throwing every tool in their war chest at the elusive issue....

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Foodbank records high volumes amid surging demand for food relief

Foodbank Australia announced that it sourced a record 51 million kilograms of food and groceries in 2023, equivalent to...

Foodbank Australia announced that it sourced a record 51 million kilograms of food and groceries in 2023, equivalent to 92 million meals. This comes at a crucial time when the cost-of-living crisis has significantly increased the demand for food relief across the nation. The Foodbank Hunger Report 2023 illustrates a...

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Missing in action: When is an employee considered to have abandoned their employment?

When an employee doesn’t show up to work and is unable to be contacted, termination seems like the next...

When an employee doesn’t show up to work and is unable to be contacted, termination seems like the next obvious step; however, acting hastily can result in the termination being overturned. Recently, the Fair Work Commission (Commission) held that an employee is entitled to pursue his general protections claim...

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Western Australia single-use plastic ban update

In the past few months, the National Retail team have delivered a dedicated website, a suite of resources, online...

In the past few months, the National Retail team have delivered a dedicated website, a suite of resources, online information sessions, engaged with suppliers, contacted peak industry bodies, and answered hundreds of business calls on the Stage 2 Plastic bans. Our team has hit the streets visiting thousands of retailers...

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Introduction of a Designated Complaints Function Within the ACCC

The Albanese Labor Government has established a Competition Taskforce located in the Commonwealth Treasury, staffed by a team of...

The Albanese Labor Government has established a Competition Taskforce located in the Commonwealth Treasury, staffed by a team of competition experts and advised by an expert advisory panel, the taskforce's role is to produce practical policies that will boost competition and help fuel innovation and wage growth. According to the...

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ARL Program Updates

Update on New Zealand Kerbside Standardisation As of 1 February, ARL users should refer to the NZ kerbside implementation guide...

Update on New Zealand Kerbside Standardisation As of 1 February, ARL users should refer to the NZ kerbside implementation guide for the ARL program when conducting PREP assessments for projects in the NZ region. This document is intended to highlight the areas of difference and similarity between PREP assessments and...

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Retail trade stagnates despite booming population

Latest trade figures reveal the uphill struggle retailers face in 2024 if consumer sentiment remains low and trade continues...

Latest trade figures reveal the uphill struggle retailers face in 2024 if consumer sentiment remains low and trade continues to slow, despite Australia’s population boom. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today revealed spending in January rose 1.1 per cent following a stark drop of 2.1 per...

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Closing Loopholes Bill No. 2 passes Parliament

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that both Houses of Parliament passed the second tranche of amendments to the...

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that both Houses of Parliament passed the second tranche of amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) under the Albanese Government’s Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 (Bill), with amendments as proposed by the Senate last week.    We will update our...

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“National Retail Association welcomes stricter penalties against retail crime in WA”

In a pivotal move to address the rising tide of violence against retail workers in Western Australia, the National...

In a pivotal move to address the rising tide of violence against retail workers in Western Australia, the National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the announcement by the State Government to introduce stricter penalties against retail crime. The proposed legislative changes, set to be implemented in WA, are a...

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Closing Loopholes Bill, one step forward and two steps back on productivity

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. A French expression, meaning the more things change the more they...

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. A French expression, meaning the more things change the more they stay the same, a phrase that seems to sum up Australia’s productivity problem. However, it is hard to be productive when you’re overregulated, constrained, and floating in a sea of...

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Focus Sharpens on Green Credentials

Late 2023 marked a significant milestone in Australia's commitment to environmental responsibility, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission...

Late 2023 marked a significant milestone in Australia's commitment to environmental responsibility, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) releasing comprehensive guidance for businesses on making accurate environmental claims. Building on this momentum, January 2024 witnessed The Treasury's release of a climate-related financial disclosure legislation exposure draft for...

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Reserve Bank urged to show retailers some love

Australian retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interests rates this month but have called for industry to...

Australian retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to hold interests rates this month but have called for industry to be shown some love after record-low Christmas sales. Governor Michele Bullock raised interest rates to 4.35 per cent just before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to put a squeeze on...

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Navigating Redundancy and Avoiding Pitfalls

Redundancy is a complex process that requires careful consideration and planning. Redundancies can be difficult for both employers and...

Redundancy is a complex process that requires careful consideration and planning. Redundancies can be difficult for both employers and employees, and if not managed properly, can result in negative outcomes such as low morale, decreased productivity, and legal implications. To avoid the common pitfalls of a redundancy, it is important...

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National Retail Association and the Industry Workforce Advisor Program supports small businesses to secure $250,000 in government grants

Victoria Hansen, Industry Workforce Advisor for the retail and personal services sectors has worked with over 50 Queensland small...

Victoria Hansen, Industry Workforce Advisor for the retail and personal services sectors has worked with over 50 Queensland small businesses to improve their workforce planning skills and develop workforce plans. These businesses, with the support of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the Workforce Connect Fund...

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The RBA’s decisions have put the lights out on festive spending.

Latest trade figures reveal the series of interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank have nipped Christmas sales in...

Latest trade figures reveal the series of interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank have nipped Christmas sales in the bud, risking the future of Australian retailers. Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal spending in December grew by just 0.8 per cent compared with last...

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ATO Launches Free Online Learning Platform to Support Small Business Owners

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced a new online learning platform aimed at assisting small-business owners in navigating...

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced a new online learning platform aimed at assisting small-business owners in navigating their tax and superannuation obligations. Named "Essentials to strengthen your small business," the platform offers over 20 free short courses and a calendar highlighting key lodgment due dates. Deputy Commissioner Will...

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