The comments below can be attributed to Australian Retail Council CEO, Chris Rodwell.
“David Jones is one of Australia’s oldest and most iconic brands. It has served generations of Australians and holds a special place in our retail history. In entering voluntary administration, it has the opportunity to reshape its operations so it can play a part in Australia’s retail future.
“The Australian Retail Council recognises there are significant challenges ahead for David Jones in determining how it might continue to serve Australians. We particularly recognise the impact this week’s decision will have on its team members. It employs people in cities, towns and suburbs across Australia.
“Its contribution also extends beyond its own workforce to the brands, suppliers and other local businesses it supports. Likewise, it is a challenging period for them as they look to define their future.
“At this moment it is critical every Australian back the retailers that back Australia. The pressures facing Australian retail are not new and we have been sounding the alarm for some time around the challenges Australian retailers are facing. Business costs keep rising, whether related to leases, transport, supply chains, energy, wages, or government taxes, charges and regulations.
“At the same time, household budgets are stretched and shoppers are thinking carefully about every dollar they spend.
Retail crime and ultra low-cost disruptive global platforms are also eroding Australian retail profitability.
While retailers are incredibly resilient, they need greater action from government to bring down costs and reduce unnecessary red tape. There has never been a more important time for governments to act.
“Retail does not operate in isolation – it is a vital part of our communities across our nation and a bellwether for our broader economy. Australian retail employs one in ten Australians and contributes $444 billion to our GDP.
Recent research tells us that around 64% of Australians either work in retail or have a close friend or family member who works in retail.
“We can’t afford to see this contribution fall prey to poor approaches to economic management and regulation, or a lack of efforts to hold ultra low-cost global platforms to the same standard as Australian retailers. Let’s back the retailers that back Australia.”
ARC will not be making further comment at this time.
About us: Australian Retail Council (ARC) represents a $444 billion sector that employs 1.4 million Australians across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities – making retail the largest private sector employer in the country and a significant contributor to the Australian economy. Our membership spans the full spectrum of Australian retail, from family-owned small and independent retailers that make up 95% of our membership, through to our largest national and international retailers that employ thousands of Australians and support both metropolitan and regional communities every day.
