As we progress towards the unification of our industry with the proposed amalgamation of the NRA and ARA, we look forward to providing regular updates to keep our member community informed.
Latest News
Media Release
New retail peak body to be named Australian Retail Council
The name of Australia’s new peak retail body has been revealed as the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) build towards a proposed amalgamation.
The proposed entity will be known as the Australian Retail Council (ARC) and will feature a unified national presence. The two not-for-profits are aiming for amalgamation by end of financial year 2025, following Fair Work Commission (FWC) ratification.
Catch up on the key amalgamation updates from ARA President Nicole Sheffield, NRA Chairman Tim Schaafsma, and our Board, Council and executive teams.
This session covers important updates on the proposed amalgamation of the NRA and ARA, aimed at unifying our industry. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to keep our member community informed on this significant initiative.
Member FAQs
The final timeline for amalgamation will be agreed with the Fair Work Commission who are overseeing the process. This will include a formal ballot of the members of both organisations who need to approve the amalgamation. We anticipate that Day 1 of the new organisation will be in the first part of calendar year 2025.
We are committed to offering the strongest possible value to our members. We can commit that there will be no change to how we set your membership fee in 2025.
Our current pricing policy for members will stay the same across 2025 and we will communicate fees for 2026 well in advance. We will be working to ensure all members continue to get value for money and also to recognise foundational members of the amalgamated organisation.
The two organisations will formally amalgamate after FWC approval and a membership ballot, overseen by the Australian Electoral Commission. This is expected to be complete in the first part of calendar year 2025 and we will keep you updated about the timing of this.
The two organisations are now starting to act as one particularly around advocacy matters and will build a shared calendar of events for 2025. The two organisations are also now actively engaged on the search for a new CEO who will lead the amalgamated organisation.
You will continue to contact your current membership person until amalgamation is official.
Yes, you can participate in a number of events. Most events are open to NRA and ARA members now.
Both organisations have agreed to start a formal process to appoint a new CEO to lead the amalgamated organisation and this is now underway. We are working hard to ensure that the new CEO can be announced to members over the next few months.
Both teams are involved in the planning for the amalgamation. As part of the detailed work to plan for the new organisation we will be working to confirm the new organisation and roles for the current teams.
Governance
Subject to review and approval by the Fair Work Commission, the new entity will be governed by a new board with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 members with the Chair of the board appointed from within. The new entity Board will ensure that smaller retailers are represented with a minimum of 2 members being from retailers with between 1 and 9 retail stores. It will also ensure gender balance with no gender holding less than 40% of board seats.
We will be establishing a transitional board which will come into being on the first day of the new entity. This will be drawn from members of the ARA Council and NRA Board. This board will serve until elections for the new entity Board are held.
Members are eligible to be represented on the Board of the new entity subject to fulfilling the ordinary nomination processes and being elected in accordance with the rules of the new entity, once approved by the Fair Work Commission.
We will ensure SMB representation by ensuring a minimum of 2 seats on the board are from organisations with between 1 and 9 retail stores.
A simple majority of votes cast in the ballot to approve the amalgamation is required to approve the amalgamation with both organisations needing to have approval from their members for the amalgamation to progress.
Each member has one vote.
One vote per motion.
Each member is entitled to vote at the AGM of the organisation to which they have current paid membership. If they are a paid member of both the ARA and NRA they are entitled to vote at each AGM.
