Retailers encouraged to learn more about changes to workplace relations
The Australian Retailers Association is holding Employment Relations Briefings in Sydney and Melbourne next week to educate retailers and staff on changes in the workplace relations field.
Thu 16/05/2013 12:00:00 / Read More »Retailers warned to keep surcharges down under new credit card reforms
Retailers across the country are being reminded to monitor surcharges on card transactions in their stores, with new rules coming into place today controlling the amount retailers can charge for credit and debit card transactions.
Mon 18/03/2013 12:00:00 / Read More »Alert staff is central to stopping stock loss and shoplifting
Shoplifting is a big concern for retailers, but by staying on top of the ball and having a range of tools at their disposal, store owners and staff can drive five-finger-discounts out of their stores.
Wed 06/03/2013 12:00:00 / Read More »The Good Guys wins Roy Morgan Award for Customer Satisfaction
The Good Guys has beaten Ikea, Retravision, Dick Smith and Harvey Norman to win the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Award for 2012 in the Furniture and Electrical Category.
Fri 22/02/2013 12:00:00 / Read More »Grey skies: retailers see the threat while Canon sees an opportunity
We visit with Australian Retailers Association chief Russell Zimmerman to find out how retailers can respond to a tough market and catch up with Canon director Jason McLean to hear his thoughts on how to deal with the grey market.
Mon 20/08/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »Shorter shift times for retail workers will lead to "exploitation": SDA
The national secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, Joe de Bruyn, has slammed Fair Work Australia's decision to reduce minimum shift times for students, saying employees of all ages will be worse off.
Wed 16/05/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »More cash but less spending and a 'false economy', claim Budget analysts
The Federal Budget delivered overnight will result in more cash in consumers' hands but not necessarily in retailers' tills, claims one analyst, while the ARA has branded this surplus a "false economy" due to how it's been achieved.
Wed 09/05/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »Goodbye after-school jobs? Myer CEO calls for slashing of penalty rates
Following the release of disappointing half-yearly sales results yesterday, Myer CEO Bernie Brookes said retailers needed the freedom to cut penalty rates for staff in order to stay profitable. Otherwise, he said, casual jobs may be lost.
Fri 16/03/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »Industry lobby group calls on Government to halve Sunday penalty rates
As the Federal Government continues its review of the General Retail Industry Award, one lobby group has called for a reduction in penalty rates to help retailers cope with the "24 hour, seven day a week shopping economy".
Mon 12/03/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »Retailers urged to insure businesses as natural disaster season approaches
While natural disasters hit 1 in 500 businesses in Australia, almost half of those affected never reopen. As the bushfire and flood seasons get underway in Australia, retailers are warned to ensure they're insured.
Wed 18/01/2012 12:00:00 / Read More »RBA has listened to retailers at the coal face with rate cut: ARA
The RBA has lowered the official cash rate to 4.25 per cent, to help combat the "changed behaviour by households and the high exchange rate [that] have had a noticeable dampening effect" on the economy.
Wed 07/12/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA no longer happy, back to complaining about rate cuts
The Australian Retailers Association has recovered from the joy experienced from last week's interest rate cut to today complain that not all the banks have passed on the Reserve Bank's 25 basis point cash rate reduction.
Fri 11/11/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Carbon price will lead retailers to "shed staff": Industry survey
The Australian Retailers Association is predicting the Federal Government's new carbon pricing scheme will have tough consequences on retailers, according to a survey of 500 retailers released over the weekend.
Tue 09/08/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Warm but downbeat industry response to Productivity Commission report
The industry response to yesterday's draft release of the Productivity Commission's (PC) report into retail has been mostly positive, with retail groups happy that the report recommends lowering the GST threshold on imported goods.
Fri 05/08/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Good news for Gerry as report recommends more online GST
The Australian Government Productivity Commission issued a draft report today, providing "in-principle" support for the introduction of GST on imports below $1,000, but ultimately rejecting the measure as inefficient...for the time being.
Thu 04/08/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Think of the spooked consumers: ARA calls for hold on interest rates
The Australian Retailers Association has called on the Reserve Bank of Australia to consider the current weakness of the retail market and keep interest rates on hold.
Mon 01/08/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Government planned to lower GST threshold in 2010
The Federal Government was planning to lower the GST threshold on imports from $1000 to $500 in October 2010. That's according to claims made today by the Fair Imports Alliance, based on documents obtained under FOI laws.
Wed 20/07/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Carbon tax is mixed news for retailers says ARA
The Carbon Tax will hit retailers, but it will also give them the opportunity to adapt and strengthen their businesses to become more competitive, according to the head of one of Australia's leading retail advocacy groups.
Wed 13/07/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »NRA/ARA back at war with SDA over FWA decision
The latest round in the ongoing battle for reduced minimum shift times for casuals has begun, with Fair Work Australia today allowing an appeal to its decision last week to grant a reduction on certain school children shift times to 1.5 hours.
Wed 29/06/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »FWA win doesn't prevent ARA and NRA going to war for the credit
In a special news report we look at the extraordinary claims and counterclaims between the two bodies charged with representing the retail industry. Pettiness, resentment and sabotage are all themes in this amazing story.
Wed 22/06/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail minimum shift times for students halved
The minimum shift requirement for students in the retail sector has been halved from 3 hours to 1.5 hours, meaning businesses that operate for only a few hours after classes finish can still employ school and uni students.
Mon 20/06/2011 12:00:00 / Read More »Consumers to trawl technology aisles this Christmas
While economic analysts are forecasting a gloomy Christmas for retailers, there is some good news on the horizon as consumer electronics are tipped to be at the top of wish lists.
Mon 13/12/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA welcomes new PM despite past criticism
The Australian Retailers Association has congratulated Julia Gillard on her appointment as the new Australian Prime Minister, welcoming her statement that she 'believes in consultation'.
Fri 25/06/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail body slams Gerry Harvey
The Australian Retailers Association has criticised retail giant Gerry Harvey for being arrogant and lackadaisical after he recently laughed off the concerns of small retailers around the country.
Tue 15/06/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »A sigh of relief from retailers as interest rates remain unchanged
The Reserve bank of Australia has decided to hold interest rates at 3.75 per cent. The Australian Retailers Association has applauded this decision as it will provide retailers with a chance to post consistent growth.
Wed 03/02/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA warns of retail slowdown if rates rise in February
The Australian Retailers Association has warned that if there is a fourth consecutive RBA rate rise in February, retailers will suffer as much needed growth in consumer spending will be halted.
Mon 01/02/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »Retailers wary of new Fair Work laws
The Australian Retailers Association's latest survey on the effects of the Fair Work Act has highlighted that 72 per cent of retailers don't understand their obligations under the new laws and are wary of the effect it will have on their business.
Tue 12/01/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »Early retail figures hint at strong Xmas season
Recent Retail Trade Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that sales for the month of November were up 1.4 per cent on a month-by-month basis and up 7.3 per cent year-on-year.
Fri 08/01/2010 12:00:00 / Read More »$6.77 billion to run through the registers at post-Xmas sales
According to the Australian Retailers Association, consumers are expected to spend around $6.77 billion over the two-week post-Christmas sale period.
Thu 24/12/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA expects 4.7% year-on-year growth for retail sales
The Australian Retailers Association has forecasted that the retail sector will grow by 4.7 per cent year-on-year for 2009 with sales expected to reach $38.7 billion.
Fri 11/12/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail sales inch higher over October
According to the latest retail turnover figures from the ABS, sales for the month of October were up 0.3 per cent. Despite this, major retail bodies are warning retailers to prepare for the figure to drop, after three consecutive rate rises from the RBA.
Fri 04/12/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Third successive rate rise will hurt retailers
According to two of Australia's leading retail bodies, the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to rise the official interest rate for a third consecutive month will dramatically effect Christmas sales figures for retailers.
Thu 03/12/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail sales on the rise
According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics retail turnover for September in comparison to the same period last year rose 6.4 per cent in 2009. Sales also grew 1.4 per cent over the quarter.
Thu 05/11/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Visa to scrap credit card signatures to combat fraud
Visa has announced that over the next four years it will completely transition over to chip and PIN technology for all its credit card transactions, in a move to stamp out credit card fraud at the retail level.
Wed 04/11/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »'Reserve Bank is ignoring retailers': ARA
The Australian Retailers Association has slammed the Reserve Bank for raising its interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.25 per cent, and the damaging effects this will have on sales in the lead up to Christmas.
Wed 07/10/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA helps educate retailers over new workplace laws
The Australian Retailers Association, with support of the Australian Government, is launching a series of free seminars to educate retailers and their employees about their obligations under the new Fair Work legislation.
Wed 23/09/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA calls for full five year transitional period for new retail award
At the recent AIRC hearing on Wednesday, the Australian Retailers Association has called for a full five year transitional period to be utilised when introducing the new retail award.
Fri 17/07/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA executive director resigns
Richard Evans, the outspoken executive director of retail body the Australian Retailers Association, yesterday tendered his resignation effective immediately.
Fri 10/07/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retailers worried about access to credit and cash flow problems
A major retail body has revealed that despite rising confidence in the retail environment, retailers are very concerned that banks aren't doing their part to provide adequate cash flow.
Tue 07/07/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail body slams inaccurate analysis of unemployment figures
Many economic analysts have been reporting in recent weeks that unemployment is on the rise in the retail sector; a leading retail body has hit back and claims the figures are inaccurate.
Mon 29/06/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retail body slams economic commentators
One of Australia's leading retail bodies has publically slammed economic forecasters, who predicted that the economy was in a recession, claiming they are responsible for frightening consumers into financial hibernation.
Fri 05/06/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Household goods outperform other sectors in latest retail figures
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, retail turnover grew in line with predictions of 0.3 per cent in April. Household goods in particular were the star performers.
Tue 02/06/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA claims Budget was not focussed on saving jobs
Retail industry group the Australian Retailers Association, has commended certain aspects of the Federal Budget, but is disappointed by it not making hard decisions, spending more than what is earned and its lack of interest in job retention or creation.
Wed 13/05/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Consumers start spending again
According to two of the leading retail industry groups the ANRA and the ARA, Australian consumers are starting to regain their confidence in the economy and retailers are starting to see small improvements.
Fri 08/05/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Wage increases will hurt retailers
The Australian Retailers Association has encouraged the Government to defer introduction of the Modern Retail Awards for at least 12 months, due to fears retailers will not cope with the added pressure.
Fri 01/05/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Employment stability is the key to economic recovery
According to the Australian Retailers Association the Rudd Government should have a strong focus on jobs and strategies to keep prices low for the Federal Budget in May.
Mon 27/04/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Tenancy crisis hits retail sector
According to the Australian Retailers Association, retailers around the country are facing a tenancy crisis, but the Government aren't doing anything to solve the problem.
Fri 24/04/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »Retailers trying to retain staff despite tough times
The Australian Retailers Association has released the March Australian Retailers Index 2009, highlighting that despite difficult economic times a large proportion of retailers are trying to retain current staff levels.
Mon 20/04/2009 12:00:00 / Read More »ARA boss echoes McCain gaffe as he gets excited about rate cut
ARA executive director Richard Evans has made strikingly similar remarks about the economy as flailing US Presidential candidate John McCain. McCain changed his comments later, but does Evans really think the economy is strong?
Tue 07/10/2008 12:00:00 / Read More »
