Message from the CEO: 15 August 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

Last week we discussed the Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures for June, which continued a year-long pattern for the sector of almost standing still when population growth is factored in. As we’ve been analysing the highlights of the industry over the last year, however, there have generally been two sectors performing ahead of […]

Message from the CEO: 8 August 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

Last week saw two lots of major news for the retail sector, and overall it was a mixed bag. Tuesday’s announcement by the Reserve Bank of a cut to official interest was good news at first glance, even though it carried the underlying warning from the RBA of weakness in the economy. We know that […]

Youth unemployment and the retail industry

Throughout the current federal election there has been a consistent focus on jobs creation, and how more Australians can be assisted into the workforce. As part of this discussion, there has been a particular emphasis on jobs for young people, and what initiatives will best address the current issue of youth unemployment across Australia. The […]

Blind Hiring – Is your company unconsciously biased when hiring?

Research has identified that organisations are unconsciously discriminating against gender types in the initial stages of hiring employees. In traditional corporate management roles, men are more likely to be hired than women. Whereas in nursing, men are less likely to be considered for the role over women as the role is considered feminine. Although discrimination is […]

MEMBER ONLY ARTICLE – Soft retail sales continue in April

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this week indicates that the soft retail sales that have been recorded since the beginning of 2016 have continued into the final quarter of 2015/16. The recorded growth of 0.2 per cent, seasonally adjusted, is below the figure forecast by the National Retail Association last month, […]

Message from the CEO: 15 January 2016

The jobs figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics were very welcome news for the economy, and for the retail sector. The ABS reported that 312,000 more Australians were in work in December compared with the same time 12 months ago, with most of those people finding full-time work. Additional Australians in work […]

Household goods continue to drive retail trade growth

The recent release of the November 2015 retail trade figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed continued growth in the Household Goods sector. As indicated in the graph below, the retail sector grew by 3.8 per cent nationally, with Victoria (5.5 per cent), Tasmania (4.3 per cent) and New South Wales (3.9 per cent), […]

Household goods make strong contribution to retail trade figures

The recent release of the September 2015 retail trade figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed continued growth in the Household Goods sector, and Footwear and Personal Accessories. As indicated in the graph below, the retail sector grew by 3.9 per cent nationally, with Victoria (4.9 per cent), South Australia (4.4 per cent) and […]