RFID Coalition launched to support the Australian retail industry

A group of like-minded retailers, brands, solution providers and trade associations joined forces on Thursday 22 March 2018 to bring the benefits of RFID technology to the Australian retail sector. Calling themselves the RFID Coalition, the group agreed to share projects, experiences, solutions and case studies with the aim of understanding how the technology can […]

Retailers committed to working with NSW Govt on Gift Card reforms

Australia’s largest and most diverse retail industry association, the National Retail Association, has affirmed its commitment to working with the New South Wales Government to help introduce new consumer protections for gift cards. NRA Manager – Industry Policy David Stout said retailers would be keen for further input as the change to a three-year minimum […]

Retailers and Department work together on plastic bag ban

The National Retail Association and the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection are working closely to ensure that Queensland’s proposed plastic bag ban is implemented with as little inconvenience to retailers and consumers as possible. The state-wide ban on the supply of lightweight plastic shopping bags is due to come into effect on 1 […]

Sales figures show retailers on track for record Christmas spend

The retail industry is on track for record sales during the Christmas trade period, according to the latest round of retail figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS figures for October 2016 reveal that retail turnover rose by 0.5 per cent, seasonally adjusted, which follows a rise of 0.6 per […]

Retailers throw doors open at 7am for 1st day of extended SEQ trading hours

The National Retail Association (NRA) has ushered in a new era for south-east Queensland retailers, shoppers and workers, on the first day of its landmark extended and harmonised trading hours. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the new, relaxed trading hours, which kicked off at 7 this morning after the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission handed down […]

New research a wakeup call for retailers when it comes to price strategy

New research revealed in the Commonwealth Bank’s Retail insights report should act as a wakeup call for retailers when developing pricing strategies, particularly as the industry heads into the busy Christmas and New Year period. The report demonstrates that there is no one-size-fits all approach when it comes to pricing strategies for retailers. NRA CEO […]

Christmas shopping to top $1 billion a day

Retail sales increase

With 50 shopping days until Christmas, the National Retail Association (NRA) has today released its pre-Christmas and Boxing day trade projections which show that Australians are poised to spend more than a billion dollars a day during the busiest trading period for the year. The pre-Christmas and Boxing Day trade period runs from the final […]

NRA calls on NSW Government to consult with retailers on container deposit scheme

The National Retail Association has called on the New South Wales State Government to conduct further consultation with retailers on whether participation in the proposed container deposit scheme (CDS) is to be mandatory. NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said that the Government needed to work with the retail industry to ensure that retailers will […]

Consumers, workers and retailers all win from SEQ trading hours ruling

The National Retail Association today welcomed the ground-breaking decision of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to extend trading hours in the state’s south-east corner, and to create greater harmony in shopping times across the region. NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said the decision, handed down this afternoon, would add in excess of $100 million […]

August retail figures show slight growth for retail trade

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures released today show a slight increase on the July 2016 figures, but still demonstrate that the sector is experiencing a flat period.  In seasonally adjusted terms, retail turnover rose by 0.4 per cent in August, which follows the stagnant figures recorded for July 2016.  NRA Chief […]

Retailers call on Migrant Workers Taskforce to help small business protect workers

The National Retail Association has called on the newly formed Migrant Workers Taskforce to present proposals that assist small business in protecting migrant workers from being exploited by employers. Federal Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, today announced a new Migrant Workers Taskforce, to be chaired by Professor Allan Fels AO, that will […]

Gold medals all-round for Australian retailers

Australia’s retail superstars took home gold amidst a flurry of feathers and maracas at the National Retail Association (NRA) 2016 Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held last night at the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth. This year’s ceremony took inspiration from the Rio Olympics with an extravagant night of colour, music and glamour to […]

Retailers call for reform to trading hours in Queensland

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today welcomed State Government moves to establish a committee to review retail trading hours, after a proposal to make Easter Sunday a public holiday in Queensland was announced. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said she was looking forward to working closely with the State Government on this matter. “The NRA […]

Don’t short-change Dad this Father’s Day

Australians are set to splurge close to $800 million on Father’s Day, but dads are still getting short changed compared with mums, research from the National Retail Association has shown. NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said Mums were spoiled with an average spend of $70.40 on Mother’s Day, compared with the $51.60 average spend […]

Retail records an ordinary end to an ordinary year

The Australian retail trade figures for June have rounded out a flat financial year, with retail trade barely growing over the 12 months since June 2015. The National Retail Association (NRA) said the increase of 0.2 per cent in May in trend terms (0.1 per cent seasonally adjusted) showed the retail trade sector was suffering […]

Retailers welcome RBA rates decision

Australia’s largest and most representative retail industry organisation, the National Retail Association, has welcomed today’s cut in official interest rates saying it will help fire consumer confidence and safeguard jobs. NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said the RBA’s decision to cut rates by 25 basis points would help achieve the Bank’s goal of supporting […]

NRA launches free rostering tool to help retailers with award compliance

Retailers will have free access to an online tool to help ensure they meet their legal obligations to employees, following the launch of the Roster Coster product today by the National Retail Association and technology provider Rision Ltd. NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said the release of the Roster Coster follows a series of […]

NRA ensuring retail students are dressed to impress ahead of new jobs

The National Retail Association (NRA) has embarked on a ‘recycling’ initiative aimed at helping students in its accredited Ready for Retail Program take a well-heeled step into retail jobs, through its Clothes for a Cause initiative. NRA Program Manager and Trainer Deb Baker said the first steps toward independence could be daunting, but were made […]

Anxious wait over for national retail Finalists

Innovative, resourceful, self-starting, and downright talented. These are the words used to describe the crop of incredible retailers who’ve made it through to be named Finalists in the National Retail Association’s (NRA’s) 2016 Rewards for Excellence. The NRA has today revealed who’s in the running for the most prestigious Awards in the country, which acknowledge […]