Australian retail poised to pass the $300 billion mark this year

The Australian retail sector is poised to smash through the $300 billion dollar mark for the first time this financial year, according to new research released today by Australia’s largest and most diverse retail industry association, the National Retail Association (NRA). The NRA has today launched the figures as part of its new quarterly industry […]

Kate Carnell appointment to small business ombudsman a win for retailers

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today congratulated former Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kate Carnell, on her appointment to the role of small business ombudsman. NRA CEO Trevor Evans applauded the government for recognising Ms Carnell’s wide ranging achievements in the business sector. “This appointment is a major win […]

Lower fuel prices give consumers and retailers a spending boost

Australian retailers are poised to benefit to the tune of $3.2 billion over the next six months if the current low fuel prices remain in place, the National Retail Association said today.NRA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Evans said with fuel prices falling below the $1 per litre mark in some parts of the country, households […]

New figures show retail jobs hit all-time high in frenzied pre-Christmas trade

Economic modelling by the National Retail Association (NRA) suggests the number of people employed in the retail sector in December ticked over the 1.3million mark for the first time in Australian history. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the data, collated this week, suggested as many as 13,000 new jobs had been created during December, bringing […]

Use local stores to ensure your legal rights on electronics, shoppers urged

The National Retail Association (NRA) has urged shoppers to use only reputable and established retailers when purchasing electrical goods, in order to ensure they are protected by consumer laws and guarantees. Following the recall of the eighth brand of imported “hoverboard” products, NRA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Evans said recent recalls of electrical goods underlined […]

Best year for retailers since the GFC

Australian retailers are poised to record their strongest year since the Global Financial Crisis, with solid growth in November and positive feedback from December pointing to a very strong finish to 2015. Australia’s largest and most diverse retail industry organisation, the National Retail Association, today welcomed growth of 4.1 per cent, in trend terms, for […]

Noel night-owls and early bird elves to shop around the clock tonight

The National Retail Association (NRA) expects tens of thousands of shoppers – particularly those stressing about finishing the Christmas shopping in time – to make like Dasher tonight and head out to Westfield’s Chermside and Garden City stores, which are both opening up to shoppers for a marathon 33.5 hour trading period. National Retail Association […]

All I want for Christmas is for my packages to make it on time

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today warned Australia’s keyboard Kris Kringles to make sure they hit ‘proceed to cart’ by Sunday evening, or risk having to hand over an IOU note instead of a perfectly-wrapped gift on Christmas Day. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the few days before Christmas were not just the busiest […]

Retailers well-placed to influence innovation package ideas boom

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today welcomed the Federal Government’s four-year, $1.1b plan to usher in an ‘ideas boom’, with innovation measures including the facilitation of greater risk-taking in investment and entrepreneurship, a greater focus on collaboration between education and industry, and the creation of higher opportunities for small businesses. NRA CEO Trevor Evans […]

Sales figures show retailers on track for steady Christmas spend

Aussie retailers are expecting a robust few weeks through to Christmas, after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its retail trade data for October. National Retail Association (NRA) CEO Trevor Evans said the August figures, which show a 0.3 per cent increase in trend terms and a 0.5 per cent increase seasonally adjusted, indicate the […]

One-off holiday trading in regional Queensland gets the green light

Shoppers in regional Queensland won’t be locked out on Monday, December 28, after the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) today handed down its decision to allow a one-off amendment to regional Queensland’s trading hours for the gazetted Boxing Day public holiday. Due to a quirk in this year’s holiday dates, major retailers in regional areas […]

Harmonised trading hours one step closer as SEQ hearing begins

The National Retail Association (NRA) is today making its case to allow all shops in south east Queensland to open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, during the first day of an anticipated three-week hearing in front of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC).  If successful, the NRA’s bid, which was lodged late in […]

New Boxing Day laws a boon for local NSW retailers

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today welcomed the decision of the NSW Government to allow NSW businesses to open their doors on Boxing Day.   NRA NSW State Director Michael Lonie said regional retailers will no longer be at an unfair disadvantage to their city counterparts. “For the first time, local retailers around all Sydney’s suburbs […]

Free Accredited Retail Training

Not since late 2011 has Brisbane seen the current levels of advertised job vacancies in retail. The average growth rates for advertised job vacancies since January 2014 has been 6.6% for retail managers, 7.2% for retail assistants, and 7.0% for all positions. “The retail industry is where most people will gain their first paid employment […]

Modest, reliable, sustainable – figures show retailers can bank on sense and sensibility this Christmas

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today released its pre-Christmas projections, suggesting the nation’s spending habits will be akin to having just a few glasses of wine rather than a few bottles on Christmas day, and finishing the evening off with only two servings of pudding, rather than three. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said that with […]

Change of Prime Minister delivers boost to retail trade in September

Today’s retail trade figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show an increase in consumer confidence off the back of the change of Prime Minister and Treasurer, the National Retail Association (NRA) said. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the August figures, which showed a 0.3 per cent increase in trend terms and a 0.4 […]

Retailers push for national tax debate amid flagged changes to GST and moves to adopt productivity reforms

The National Retail Association (NRA) has today called for a national debate on meaningful tax reform, after the Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull flagged taking an increase in the GST to the polls. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said tax reform was one possible way Australia could boost productivity and economic growth. “We would strongly support any […]

Positive ABS retail trade figures show renewed confidence in the sector

Today’s retail trade figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the economy is on the right track, the National Retail Association said. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the August figures, which showed a 0.2 per cent increase in trend terms and a 0.4 per cent increase seasonally adjusted, showed strong growth across the […]

Three time Young Retailer Finalist crowned Young Retailer of the Year

The National Retail Association (NRA) has awarded its most prestigious annual award, the 2015 Young Retailer of the Year, at a gala dinner in Sydney overnight. Frenchs Forest’s Medina Cicak, a 24-yo Graduate Leader – Human Resource Officer and RSC Generalist for Yum! Restaurants International for KFC Australia, became an award finalist for the third […]

Budget is the Abbott Govt’s chance to back Team Australia, retailers say

Date: February 10, 2015 The Abbott Government has the opportunity to throw its support behind “Team Australia” by backing local jobs and local skills as it sets about framing its second Federal Budget, the National Retail Association said today. In its pre-budget submission to the Treasury, the NRA has called on the Government to put […]