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Wage bills swell as retailers fight to find staff - Inaugural ARA Australian Retailers' Index released yesterday

New research released yesterday in the inaugural Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Australian Retailers' Index revealed a decrease in employment but an increase in wages bills for the retail sector.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans launched the quarterly Index at the Retail World Management & Technology Exhibition in Sydney and said the net balance of 11 percent of retailers reporting an increased wages bill was well above the increase of eight percent for general SMEs.

"Retailers' wages bills are increasing even though there has been a decline in employment. The indicator for the decrease in retail employment is sitting at six percent compared to three percent for general SMEs," Evans said.

Evans said difficulty in finding and keeping staff was the prime concern for 14 percent of retailers.

"Retailers are paying more to retain experienced staff and to recruit quality employees but in the current environment retailers really need to get competitive and creative about staff retention.

"Employees aren't just looking for jobs. They want a learning experience and career pathway. They want a flexible workplace and they want employment conducive to work life balance. More and more we are seeing retailers providing new opportunities for their employees in a bid to remain competitive in staff retention," Evans said.

The Australian Retailers' Index analyses the Sensis® Business Index results for businesses in the retail sector, providing a snap shot of the retail sector every quarter in the following categories: Retailer confidence; retailer concerns; sales, profitability and employment; capital expenditure; wages and prices and assessment of Federal Government policies. The results of the ARA Australian Retailers' Index assist the ARA to maintain strong links with government and influence and direct policy that may affect the retail industry.

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.

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