Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its monthly retail trade data for January 2024. Once again, discretionary categories experienced a predicted softening in spending in line with the cost-of-living pinch across the country. You can read the ARA’s response to the data here.
For broader insights around what 2024 holds for retailers, don’t miss our newly released ARA Retail Insights Report 2024. It’s packed with exclusive data and predictions from our expert contributors and truly sets you up for the year ahead. You can view the report and our retail Digital Dashboard here.
This Friday we host the ARA International Women’s Day Lunch in Melbourne with the event now sold out. Whilst there is a long way to go on our journey towards true gender equality, we will also celebrate the achievements and genuine progress of our members.
For those interested in doing more, the ARA has a Gender Equality Position Statement that many of the country’s leading retailers have signed on to – you can learn more about our members’ efforts and how to get involved here.
Today we released a report recommending widespread adoption of twilight trading hours in Melbourne CBD. Commissioned by the City of Melbourne and Victorian State Government, the report confirms there is more unmet consumer demand in Melbourne city after 5pm than before 10am which reflects a shift in pedestrian foot traffic in recent years. You can read more about the Twilight Trade project here.
More positive news out of Victoria with the Federal and State Governments investing $3.4 million for six new recycling projects across the state.
The ARA has been a strong advocate of deeper investment in recycling infrastructure – with retailers playing their part in strengthening circular economy efforts. Governments have placed a significant onus on the retail industry to reduce waste to landfill – however this effort is for naught without the adequate recycling infrastructure in place.
We will continue to advocate for similar commitments made across the country as we continue to embrace sustainability. More in our ARA pre-budget submission here.
