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Industry Updates

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About

the Australian Retailers Association

We are a community of Australian retailers that are working together to provide a united voice for the industry to local, state and federal government, media and other key stakeholders.

As the oldest and largest Australian retail industry group, we represent the $325bn retail sector that employs approximately 1.2 million people.

We are a not-for-profit, so every dollar is reinvested back into our members. We have a pro bono Council of member representatives with a leading executive team that help navigate the retail industry challenges and collaborate on opportunities.

We know what it takes to inform, protect, advocate, educate and provide value for our member community. The ARA provides expert advice to a wide range of businesses, from small independent retailers to the major companies. Whether you are a startup or pure play retailer or a traditional or omni-channel retailers we can help you across workplace relations, leasing, tax, digital transformations and more.

We have a diverse national team, with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We’re also a proud Registered Training Organisation - the Retail Institute, a peak training body for the retail sector.

The ARA provides opportunities to engage, learn and network with industry peers through events, workshops, courses and webinars. Members also benefit from key advocacy committees, support, exclusive access to and discounts on their insurance and services.

On this site you’ll find the latest news and updates, information impacting the retail sector and interesting stories from our members.

Our mission: To unite and represent the voice of the Australian retail community - sharing their perspective, concerns and communicating a compelling and inspirational image for the sector. We do this by creating and facilitating initiatives that support and educate members and overall grow the sector.

Become a member

Why join the ARA?

You’ll get exclusive access to industry experts and business advice across multiple disciplines including employment relations, leasing, wage rates and more.

Member benefits

Industry news

and insights

The ARA is constantly providing members and industry with breaking, relevant news and updates, offering advice and information about issues impacting Australian retail businesses.

Industry and Events Networking

The ARA hosts and facilitates events that connect you with like-minded retailers, industry leaders and change-makers. We provide our members exclusive access to training webinars to support your staff and business, as well as virtual and face-to-face experiences – including executive lunches, briefings, conferences, gala awards, forums, webinars, roundtables, workshops, training and other special events and co-created initiatives.

How to apply

Employment Relations and Legal Advice

We have an experienced retail focused telephone consulting team who are on call to provide members with up to date advice on all employment matters

Human

Resources Portal

Your membership includes access to the ARA Employment Relations Management System (ERMS) – everything you need to make retail HR administration easy and compliance simple. Once you’re a member we’ll provide you with a specific login and username so you can access the portal 24/7.

ERMS portal

Retail workshops

and courses

We have a huge variety of events, workshops, courses and webinars providing opportunities to engage, learn and network with industry peers. Through your membership, you will receive exclusive and discounted education and training opportunities including those offered through our RTO, the Retail Institute.

Benefits

Regular communications, events, and complimentary member-only webinars that keep you up to date with the retail environment

Initial fee advice on tenancy
Training to Diploma level, with a complimentary development needs consultation with the sector-leading Retail Institute
Retail-related workshops and short courses running in many states
Advocacy and policy assistance to retailers through the ARA’s lobbying.

Advocacy

ARA Committees, representing all facets of retail

Our collective of ARA Committees represents our members across a wide variety of important areas.

The committees are comprised of subject matter experts whose job it is to advocate for changes to regulation, funding, legislation and the perception of consumers and the public. Committees pre-empt regulatory road-blocks or signal upcoming challenges and apply solutions to proposed changes through the experience and knowledge of participants. Committee Chairs are supported by an industry expert as an advisor to drive engagement with regulators and stakeholders.

Become a member

Policy

Tenancy

Learning and development

Workplace Health & Safety

Inclusion & Diversity

Together we can shape  the Future of Retail

A really tangible way to show how we can support and be a part of  the retail industry’s plans for the future

Partnering with the ARA puts you in front of our audience, comprised of 40,000 retail stores. Our members are engaged, dynamic, exclusive and make-up 80% of Australia’s top 20 retailers, approximately 7,300 small to medium sized retailers.

We partner with organisations that align with our vision and share our values.

Are you committed to helping the Australian retail sector grow and thrive? Can you contribute thought-leading expertise, insights, guidance and advice to our members on the issues that matter most to them? We’d love to hear from you and create a strategic partnership that will help you amplify your brand, products and services to our retailer ecosystem

Partner Benefits

Get in touch