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Retailers call on Govt for confidence boost - August Retail Trade Trends released today

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the retail trade trend estimates released today showing a turnover increase of 0.3 percent for August 2008 would need a serious government focus on the economic destruction of the past to continue the upward trend.

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the retail trade trend estimates released today showing a turnover increase of 0.3 percent for August 2008 would need a serious government focus on the economic destruction of the past to continue the upward trend.

According to the ARA's Executive Director Richard Evans the increase in August 2008 retail trade is notice for Canberra to hold a steady hand to the wheel of government and provide confidence to the community.

"The August Retail Trade Trends are only a glimmer of light for retailers who have been suffering for most of the year after ten years of economic sunshine came to an end. But the damage caused by decreases in retail sales and turnover will require positive narrative from Canberra and a government focus on economic conditions.

"It's positive that the largest increases in the trend were for the industries which have been suffering the most (clothing and soft good retailing, food retailing and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services all +0.5%), but retailers are still concerned about the economic climate.

"Recently released figures in the September ARA Australian Retailers Index revealed that retail SMEs are more worried than any other sector, with confidence falling 34 percentage points compared to the same time last year.

"Now is not the time for the Rudd Government to burden small business with extra costs and compliance requirements for the proposed paid parental leave, emissions trading scheme, new industrial laws and the lack of flexibility in award modernization.

"The narrative of government needs to change and leave behind the politicisation of the serious issues confronting us. Ideology and populist politics need to be placed on the back burner while we wade through the economic destruction of retailers over the past six months," Evans said.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Richard Evans contact:
Kath Christie, ARA Policy & Media T: 0422 293 544 E: kath.christie@retail.org.au

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