.jpg)
Shoppers hungry for multi-channel innovation: IBM
Over 60 per cent of Australian consumers identify themselves as “apathetic” in their choice of primary retailer, according to the latest IBM study.
December retail results disappoint
Despite the slight optimism from retailers prior to the Christmas sales, the results for December has unfortunately fallen short.
RBA holds cash rate leaving retailers mixed
Retailers have mixed feelings about the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave the cash rate unchanged at 3 per cent.
Coles' price cuts leave bittersweet aftertaste
Following Cole's decision to discount prices on more products, some retail body associations have shown their support for it while it's being dismissed by others.
Christmas spending almost doubles
Retailers are expected to cash in a total of $12 billion from Christmas shopping this week.
Christmas shopping in full force
As Christmas fast approaches, Australians will lift their interest in shopping.
Plans for 24 hour retail trading: NSW
Retailers welcome NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard’s plans to introduce 24 hour trading before Christmas.
Retail trade lifted in August
Signs that consumers are spending is becoming more evident as retail turnover for August rises 0.2 per cent, according to the latest Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures.
Low value import parcels: Change needed
The Federal Government has publicly released the final report of the Low Value Parcel Processing Taskforce, which suggested any streamlining of the processes involved in the handling of low value imported parcels would require significant change.
Retail trade figures flatline
The ABS trade figures show that while brighter trade results of 1.2 per cent were achieved in June, they have flatlined in July with turnover falling 0.8 per cent, seasonally adjusted
Future of Australian retail: positive and exciting?
UTS will be hosting a panel event where attendees will hear from fashion designer Carla Zampatti, ANRA's Margy Osmond and Westfield's Andy Hedges. They will give insight into the future of retail.
More men head in-store than women
They say women are better shoppers than men but according to the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) the winter sales are indicating otherwise.
FWA increases minimum wage
The Fair Work Australia's decision to increase the minimum wage by 2.9 per cent has left many retailers heart broken as it ignores strong signals that the sector is struggling.
Retail trade figures "disappointing"
While the two interest rates cuts were welcomed with open arms by retailers at the end of last year it didn’t change the attitudes of consumers as the latest ABS retail trade figures show that retail turnover in November 2011 was flat.
Christmas spending warms up
Spending levels are predicted to be up on 2010 as retailers enter into the peak Christmas shopping period this week, according to the ANRA.
Govt establishes Retail Council of Australia
To advise the government on the future of the sector, the council will work closely with the Council Australian Governments where it will be able to raise collective concerns on behalf of the retail industry.
Tax summit: Retailers demand GST changes
ANRA CEO Margy Osmond said if the government is serious about reform, lowering the threshold to $100 and enable retailers to compete on the global should be a key.
Reforms needed, Productivity Commission says
The draft report - Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry - examines the implications of globalisation for the retail industry and the appropriateness of current policy settings.
Consumer confidence rocked by carbon tax uncertainty, say retailers
The Australian National Retailers Association has blamed carbon price uncertainty for keeping consumers out of shops leading to a drop in sales.
Retailers slam FWA for wage increase
Some Australian retailers will be hard hit with Fair Work Australia's decisions to increase modern award minimum wages by 3.4 per cent.
Budget 2011: Some light for retailers
Small businesses will be allowed to claim up to $5,000 as an immediate deduction for any car purchased during the 2012-13 financial year.
Reality of retail in trade figures
Retail trade figures released by the ABS has dropped 0.5 pr cent in March 2011 where the only positive turnover was seen in othing, footwear and personal accessory retailing up by a 0.1 per cent.
Cash rate held for the fifth time
his news has been welcomed by both the ARA and the NRA that have suggested keeping the cash rate stable for retailers as to continue their recovery.
A step to flexibile hours
NSW retailers have welcomed the state government’s decision to think twice before prosecuting closed stores for restocking the shelves during the Easter shutdown, the ANRA said.
February flood boosts retail trade
Both the ARA and the ANRA saidQueenslander's need for new household goods following the natural disasters of late December and January drove the 0.5 per cent growth in retail trade.
ANRA calls for wage increase
The retail industry is an award-dependent sector and has absorbed the wage increase of 2010 and a strategy is needed to ensure not to burden those sectors still moving towards recovery.
Time to make adjustments: retailers
A new survey from the ANRA showed that at least three quarters of Australians used the internet to help them out with their shopping in the past three months
Retailers keeping fingers crossed
Following the Productivity Commissions’ call for submissions from retailers for its inquiry into the Australian retail industry, the ANRA said 2011 will be a critical year for retailers.
Retailers concern about future trading
The latest retail trade figures from the ABS have confirmed that consumers continued to remain cautious during the crucial December period.
The aftermath of cyclone Yasi
Both Woolworths and Coles are still on the ground and have begun assessing the condition of stores, indicating little damage was done except Woolworths at Mission Beach suffered some roof damage.
Retailers praise RBA
Retailers have welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to keep interest rates at 4.75 per cent as the early part of 2011 continues the 'challenging' theme of the 2010 for the sector.
Retailers get behind flood victims
Leading supermarkets and retail organisations are working together to resupply existing stores, Scott Driscoll, United Retail Federation national president, told Retailbiz.
Growth in retail sales is not enough
Released on Monday, figures revealed that Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in November 2010, seasonally adjusted, following a revised fall of 0.8 per cent last October.
Retailers help flood victims
The ANRA continues to identify the areas most in need of help and provide support to get trucks through as quickly as possible.
Gen Y only interested in bargains
Generation Y is leading Australia's new discount driven shopping culture with more than one in two under 25 year olds waiting until the sales to do their shopping.
Dismal retail growth of just 0.2%
The latest ABS Retail Trade figures show that retail sales increased 0.2 per cent in June, seasonally adjusted, compared with an increase of 0.2 per cent the previous month.
Hope for retail recovery as RBA keeps rates on hold
The Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to leave the official cash rate unchanged at 4.5 per cent for the third month will give struggling retailers a glimmer of hope for retail trade recovery.
Consumer sentiment surges as financial outlook improves
A spike in consumer confidence shows the impact interest rate stability has in improving the financial outlook for Australians, but may not result in higher retail sales.
Relief for retailers as interest rates remain at 4.5 per cent
Keeping interest rates stable will give retailers breathing room to build on recent small gains in the sector.
Retail turnover up by just 0.2%
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that retail sales rose 0.2 per cent in May, seasonally adjusted, compared with a rise of 0.6 per cent the previous month.
Retailers discount heavily at winter sales
Consumers can expect better than usual winter sale bargains this year as retailers discount heavily to keep customers coming through the doors.
ABS retail sales up 0.6 per cent, retailers remain cautious
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics retail trade figures show that sales in April rose 0.6 per cent compared with a rise of 0.8 per cent the previous month.
March retail sales rise 0.3%
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures released today show a 0.3 per cent growth in March sales as a result of an early Easter four day break.
Rate rise to stall retail recovery and cost jobs
Retailers will feel the brunt of the Reserve Bank of Australia's fifth 25 point interest rate rise since October last year, taking the cash rate to 4.25 per cent after dismal retail trade continued in February.
Shoppers only interested in bargains
Research shows that while the majority of Australians believe the global financial crisis is behind them, canny consumers will not part with their money lightly in 2010.
November sales up 1.4% on previous month
ABS Retail Trade figures released showing 1.4 per cent growth in sales, compared with a rise of 0.4 per cent the previous month, was the first official sign of a strong Christmas very early on in the season.
Retail sales are up 0.3%
The ABS October retail turnover figures show sales continue to be sluggish. In October retail sales were up 0.3 per cent, after a fall of 0.2 per cent in September and 0.5 per cent growth in August.
Three rate rises set to cut Christmas spending
Retailers will feel the brunt of the third successive interest rate rise as consumers will be spending less this Christmas.
Perth shoppers to benefit from extended hours
From January next year, more Perth retailers will get the opportunity to open their doors on weeknights and weekends.
Strong sales of gift cards expected this Christmas
According to the recent American Express Annual Christmas Survey, the most popular present this year may be the practical gift card. This poses a challenge for retailers, to see who will be able to drive the most consumers to their store.
Fashionistas still spent big despite downturn
While financial markets were collapsing globally last year, women in Sydney and Melbourne were spending up big on special occasion fashion purchases, according to American Express Merchant Services credit card usage data.
Labor back flip on Perth trading hours extension
The WA Labor Party has back flipped on an election promise and denied Perth retailers the opportunity to extend their trading hours.
Retail turnover drops 1.4 per cent in June
The stimulus effect is fading according to the Australian National Retailers Association, with the ABS retail trade figures for June revealing retail turnover fell 1.4 per cent.
Large supermarkets already display unit prices
Australian consumers are already benefiting from unit pricing at the country's largest supermarkets, said the Australian National Retailers Association.
Cash handouts contribute $758 million to retail sales
The retail sector has grown by close to four per cent since the government introduced its first stimulus package, said the Australian National Retailers Association.
Retail sector loses 6400 jobs in 3 months
According to the latest jobs data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the retail sector has been hit hard over the last three months, with 6400 workers made redundant in the sector.
Consumer credit bill puts retail jobs at risk
Thousands of retailers could be forced to stop providing point-of-sale finance to their customers if the Federal Government introduces proposed consumer credit legislation.
Federal Budget step in right direction, says ANRA
The 2009-2010 Federal Budget takes a long-term and hopeful view of Australia's powers of recovery. It is a 'dig deep and hope the recession ends soon' approach, according to the Australian National Retailers Association.
Interest rate cut was necessary, says ANRA
The interest rate cut announced Tuesday by the Reserve Bank is a modest but necessary step to sustain economic growth, according to the Australian National Retailers Association.
