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Media releases
For media enquiries and interview opportunities, contact the ARC media team on media@retail.org.au or 0434 381 670
All ARC media releases
April retail sales subdued as most discretionary categories remain in decline
Australian retail sales remained subdued in April 2024, with a modest increase of 1.3% compared to the same month last year – and most discretionary categories remaining in decline. The
Retailers welcome Victoria’s new laws to protect retail staff
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), has welcomed the Victorian Government’s plans to introduce legislation to implement tougher penalties for people who assault or abuse retail workers.
Retailers rally behind First Responders Day – Thursday May 16
More than 60 Australian retailers, representing thousands of stores nationwide, will participate in First Responders Day tomorrow, Thursday 16 May, offering special deals as a thank you to our frontline heroes. Some of
Retailers welcome cost-of-living relief in Federal Budget, concerns remain around support for small businesses
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), has welcomed measures to address the country’s cost-of-living crisis announced in today’s 2024-25 Federal Budget. With retail employing one in ten
Retail sector unites around retail crime solutions
Australian retailers are uniting to tackle retail crime at the industry-wide Retail Crime Symposium on 18 July 2024 in Melbourne. In an industry first collaboration, Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and
Australian Retailers Association & National Retail Association announce amalgamation plans
Retail peak bodies, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) have announced a proposed amalgamation, which will once approved by their respective members create a single
Retailers welcome May cash rate relief
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), has welcomed the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision today to again hold cash rates at 4.35% following subdued retail trade
Victorian Budget a mixed bag for retailers
Australia’s peak retail body, the Australian Retailers Association, has welcomed measures to support families and small businesses in the Victorian Budget, but warned that mounting taxes and levies on large
Retailers welcome NSW Government reforms to reduce knife crimes
Peak retail industry body, Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s package of reforms around knife laws announced today. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the robust stance on
$1b cash splash on Mum for Mother’s Day this Sunday
Australians are set to spend $995 million on Mother’s Day this year – up $70 million, or 7.5% from 2023, research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in collaboration with Roy Morgan reveals. Popular gifts for Mum
March retail sales subdued despite early Easter
Australian retail sales remained subdued in March 2024, with a modest increase of just 0.8% compared to the same month last year, despite being bolstered by an early Easter. The
Nominations open for inaugural ARA Retail Awards
Nominations are now open for the inaugural ARA Retail Awards, which will celebrate excellence and innovation within the Australian retail sector. The 2024 ARA Retail Awards, sponsored by principal partner
ARC submissions
Given the important role that the retail sector plays in driving economic growth, we seek government policies that:
- Support the economic impact generated by the retail sector;
- Restore business confidence, particularly for small and medium businesses;
- Increase consumer confidence and disposable income;
- Apply downward pressure on business costs; and
- Reduce complexity by driving national alignment on state matters