Sorry we’re closed: Many retailers shut up shop this Easter

Date: April 4, 2015 The National Retail Association is today warning that more businesses around the country will close their doors over this Easter long weekend than will keep them open, as employers struggle to pay their staff on public holidays. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said it’s a trend only set to grow with penalty […]

SA Workplace penalty rates deal could prove a blueprint for other states

Date: 24 March 2015 The National Retail Association (NRA) today welcomed an historic workplace deal in South Australia where penalty rates may be reduced or abolished for retailers in exchange for higher base pay and other improved conditions for retail workers. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the landmark deal could hopefully be replicated across other […]

Retailers welcome Hockey’s call for GST on imports

Date: March 31, 2015 The National Retail Association has today backed Treasurer Joe Hockey’s call for an end to the loophole that allows overseas businesses to sell their goods into Australia without charging GST. Media reports today suggest Mr Hockey plans to tell next month’s G20 meeting in Washington that foreign companies should collect and […]

Retailers welcome deferral of Labour Day switch until 2016

Date: March 18, 2015 The National Retail Association has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to defer changing the Labour Day holiday until next year, saying it provided welcome certainty for businesses. CEO Trevor Evans said while the Government had a mandate to reinstate Labour Day in May, the decision not to rush the change for […]

Retailers and Qld Govt collaborate to help Cyclone Marcia victims

Date: March 2, 2015 The National Retail Association (NRA) is welcoming the opportunity to work closely with the State Government to ensure Queensland households that went without power for a week in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Marcia will have access to extra food vouchers. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the extra assistance will be […]

Retail industry at stand still, April trade figures reveal

Date: June 4, 2015 Disappointing trade figures for April show the retail industry is struggling to find momentum and more needs to be done by governments across the country to stimulate confidence and spending. National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans said the result of 0.0 per cent growth, seasonally adjusted, was far from pleasing and […]

Retail can be the jobs engine room, if Government backs workplace reform

Date: August 4, 2015 The retail sector can become the jobs “engine room” so desperately needed in the Australian economy as mining and manufacturing recede, if government gets the workplace relations settings right. The National Retail Association today strongly backed the recommendations of the Productivity Commissions inquiry into workplace relations laws, and called on the […]

Rates cut carries a clear warning for political leaders, retailers say

Date: February 3, 2015 The National Retail Association welcomes today’s cut to official interest rates, with the move likely to put additional money into the pockets of consumers in coming months. However NRA Chief Executive Trevor Evans said the decision of the Reserve Bank Board also pointed to an underlying weakening of economic conditions that […]

NRA talks to Brisbane Council on proposed trading hours

Date: May 26, 2015 The National Retail Association will today address the Brisbane City Council on its application currently before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to harmonise trading hours across south east Queensland. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the move to unify 10 separate trading hours time zones between Noosa and Coolangatta and west to […]

NRA ramps up fight for action on South Australia’s shopping centre leases

Date: February 13, 2015 The National Retail Association (NRA) has today lodged a comprehensive submission to the Small Business Commissioner regarding the state of South Australia’s retail leasing legislation. Based on member feedback, the NRA has compiled its recommendations for the State Government, but is again urging all states to adopt a more uniform national […]

NRA cautious after RBA drops interest rate to historic low

Date: May 5, 2015 The National Retail Association (NRA) has cautiously welcomed today’s Reserve Bank decision to cut the official cash rate for the second time this year, which has taken it to an all-time low of two per cent. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said there was evidence that the February rate cut had prompted […]

NRA backs government moves to make life easier for small business owners

Date: March 12, 2015 The National Retail Association (NRA) today welcomed the Federal Government’s moves to establish an Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsmen. NRA CEO Trevor Evans said the announcement from the Minister for Small Business, the Hon. Bruce Billson MP, is a step in the right direction for the nation’s retailers. “Hard-working […]

No news could be good news, say retailers

Date: March 3, 2015 The National Retail Association said the Reserve Bank Board’s decision to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent could be a boost for consumer confidence. NRA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Evans said the decision could be viewed as a sign of stability. “Generally, retailers would welcome an interest rate […]

No more inquiries – time for action on shopping centre leases, retailers say

Date: February 13, 2015 The National Retail Association will today demand action on the long-promised concept of uniform national shop leasing laws, saying business owners are tired of inquiries into shop leasing arrangements that go nowhere. NRA Chief Executive Office Trevor Evans and retail leasing specialist Michael Lonie will give evidence to the Senate Standing […]

‘Netflix’ tax a win-win for government and Aussie jobs

Date: April 10, 2015 ‘Netflix’ tax a win-win for government and Aussie jobsThe National Retail Association is today thanking the Federal Government for closing the GST tax loophole that’s costing Aussie jobs and billions of dollars in lost revenue. NRA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Evans said it’s a welcome relief for Aussie retailers. “The NRA […]

Mums – expect to be spoilt this weekend

Date: 6 May 2015 Retailers across the country will be kept busy over the coming days as shoppers are expected to buy up big in the lead up to Mother’s Day. National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans said jewellery, flowers and perfume continue to be the most popular gifts of choice for children, young and […]

March trade figures show continuing growth for retailers

Date: 6 May, 2015 Strong sales growth in fashion and footwear, electrical goods and hardware, building and garden supplies was behind the positive retail sales results in March, according to today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics monthly figures. National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans said the results were an endorsement of the Reserve Bank’s decision to […]

Lower petrol prices boost consumer spending, trade data shows

Date: March 5, 2015 Australian retailers enjoyed a strong start to 2015 largely as a result of lower petrol prices, the National Retail Association said today.Retail trade data for January, released today by the ABS, showed growth of 0.4 per cent in January in seasonally adjusted terms, with discretionary items including restaurants, takeaways and department […]

Joe Hockey, we have a tax solution for you

Date: March 30, 2015 The National Retail Association is urging the Federal Government to close the GST tax loophole that’s costing Aussies jobs and billions in revenue.  NRA Chief Executive Officer Trevor Evans said it’s time for Treasurer Joe Hockey to take action when it comes to tightening up the Low Value Threshold (LVT) in […]

GST on imports – Time for WA Govt to stop playing games with Aussie jobs

Date: May 7, 2015 The National Retail Association has called on the West Australian Government to stop playing games with Australian jobs and end the political stand-off over closing the GST loophole for overseas retailers. National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans welcomed today’s confirmation that on-line media services were to be levied with GST in […]