Last week, the ARA convened our inaugural Retail Crime Symposium, bringing together representatives from the nation’s top major retailers face-to-face to address this pressing issue.
Distinguished speakers at the symposium included the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and renowned forensic anthropologist and criminologist, Dr. Xanthé Mallet.
The symposium highlighted three critical priorities that retailers identified as essential in the fight against retail crime.
They include tougher penalties for those who assault retail workers, education campaigns about the far-reaching impacts of retail crime on staff and customers and the need for accurate statistics and data.
Our aim is to ultimately protect our retail teams and their livelihoods. That’s why we are taking a proactive stance to address this issue.
In other news, we’re proud to have this week officially kicked off our campaign to encourage a respectful and informed debate about the establishment of a First Nations Voice to Parliament, ahead of the referendum on 14th of October.
Retail has always been an intrinsic part of the Australian community – and we can’t be part of a community and ignore what is going on around us.
That’s why retailers have a long history of taking a stance around social issues – particularly those that affect their workforce – most recently including gender equality and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people.
However, I want to be clear that this isn’t telling people how to vote in the referendum.
Our campaign aims to connect members and their teams with the information needed to engage in respectful and informed discussions in the workplace.
You can read our media release here and visit our online resource to arm yourself for informed and respectful conversations.
