Meet our Medium Retailer of the Year Champion, St Frock.

st frock

We interviewed our winners from the 2018 National Retail Awards. Meet Sandradee Makejev, owner of St Frock, our Medium Retailer of the Year.  Where did your retail journey begin? My retail journey began 8 years ago at Sydney’s Bondi Markets. I was working full-time in fashion PR & Marketing, and would run a small market […]

Meet our Small Retailer of the Year, Simply for Strings.

simple for strings

We interviewed our winners from the 2018 National Retail Awards. Meet Toby Cumpstay from Simply for Strings, Our Small Retailer of the Year.      Where did your retail journey begin? I quickly learned how to serve customers in my parents fast-food (kebab) shop when I was only 13 right through to when I graduated […]

Meet our Young Retailer of the Year, Nick Pearce

Young Retailer Nick Pearce

From the source: Nick Pearce, HoMie by Heather McIlvaine, Inside Retail  Nick Pearce is one third of the founding team behind HoMie, a Melbourne-based retail business that uses the profit it generates from selling a range of contemporary streetwear to help people experiencing homelessness. The concept evolved from an anti-child-trafficking fundraising bike ride Pearce took from Vietnam to Cambodia […]

Finalists emerge as some of Australia’s most innovative ‘next gen’ retailers

The National Retail Association’s (NRA’s) prestigious 2018 National Retail Awards line-up of finalists is proving to be one of the most innovative and diverse in the event’s long-running history. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said this calibre of entrants this year in particular, highlighted how quickly Australian stores were pivoting in such a rapidly-changing environment, to […]

5 Reasons Why You Should Enter the National Retail Awards

By now you are aware the National Retail Awards portal is open for nominations, but you might still be contemplating whether to enter. Look no further – here are 5 reasons why you should enter the National Retail Awards!  1.Gain national recognition The National Retail Awards are Australia’s highest retail achievement. Experience national recognition and gain credibility […]

Nominations open for 2018 Veterans’ Employment Program Awards

The National Retail Association is proud to support the 2018 Veterans’ Employment Awards. The Awards recognise the achievements of businesses and other organisations in creating employment opportunities for veterans and spouses of serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, and veterans who have made a significant contribution to their workplace. The Awards have been established under […]

Message from the CEO: 17 October 2017

The reporting over the past week on the penalty rates case has been fascinating to say the least. In many ways, it has illustrated how deeply Australian’s misconceptions have been about the issue, but more importantly, how easy it has been for those with a vested interest to heighten those misconceptions to erode the country’s […]

Message from the CEO: 3 October 2017

Two challenges to the penalty rates ruling brought by worker unions have now been heard in the Federal Court, with both cases heard together last week, in front of a full bench in Melbourne. After joining other employer and business groups including the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Hotels Association and the NSW Business Chamber […]

Young Retailer & company chaperone to receive New York trip

For the first time ever, the 2017 winner of Young Retailer of the Year and a chaperone from their company will receive a seven day trip to New York, valued at over $15,000, sponsored by REST Super and Scentre Group. The trip includes entry into the NRF Big Show, the world’s largest retail expo, a […]

Recognising Australia’s diverse retail leaders

The National Retail Association (NRA) has launched its new-look annual awards program, with a strong focus on inclusion and celebrating diversity, recognising not only retail businesses, but the people behind them. The 2017 awards will recognise people and businesses at all levels of the industry – from fast food franchisees to fashion chains; from young […]

Nominate now for QLD Training Awards

Queensland Training Awards 2017

Nominations for the 2017 Queensland Training Awards are now open. The Queensland Training Awards are a great opportunity for Queensland-based retailers to showcase our industry’s learning and development programs and commitment to developing the skills of our staff. Also, nominating staff is an excellent way to reward any workers who have achieved success through participating […]

A five-year win for Intrust Super

Intrust Super, the industry superannuation fund for the hospitality and tourism industries, has won Money magazine’s Best of the Best Value Insurance in Superannuation award for the fifth year in a row. Intrust Super’s continued success in this category reflects the quality of insurance it offers in all key areas such as life insurance, total […]

First place in sight for retailers

The Olympics may have wrapped up for another four years, but the National Retail Association is starting to gear up for our very own medal ceremony. Australia’s top retailers are set to take home gold in a show of business prowess, dedication and innovation. Make the Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony a […]

Young retailers impress awards judges

With just a little over 4 weeks until the winners are revealed, preparations for the 2016 Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony are ramping up. Last Tuesday saw the 25 Young Retailer of the Year Finalists wow the judges during their Skype interviews. Our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of talent […]

Modern Awards Update

Following the 4 yearly review of the Modern Awards by the Fair Work Commission, a number of changes have been introduced to ensure consistency around annual leave provisions. Under the updated Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2010: EFT: An employee paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) may be paid in accordance with their usual pay […]

A Message from the CEO: 1 August 2016

Dominique Lamb CEO National Retail Association

The NRA’s primary goal is to give our members the support and expert advice you need to see your business prosper and grow. And that’s why we have a range of in-house expertise in human resource management, trading hours, product compliance, training, leasing and a number of other areas. As a secondary goal, however, we […]

TV personality to MC Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner

The NRA’s Rewards for Excellence Gala Dinner is fast approaching … And what a night it is going to be! Finalists across 13 award categories have been announced and the Young Retailer of the Year Finalists are preparing for their interviews with the judges. The extravagant Rio theme and styling is set to impress and […]

Jobs for cash…Is it legal?

As an employer there is a lot of grey area when paying employees and whether paying in cash is legal. Surprisingly too many, employers who pay employees wages through cash is actually a legal practice in Australia, however, there are requirements that must be met. The term ‘cash-in-hand’ is however considered illegal as this phrase […]