Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

As we wrap up another big year, the ARA team recently came together to reflect on the challenges, opportunities and successes of 2024. We know it’s been a mighty effort from our sector this year in an incredibly tough economy. We wish our entire retail community a positive final days of trading before we move into the Boxing Day sales. From all of us at the Australian Retailers Association, thank you for your support and happy holidays!🎄✨ Stay tuned to the ARA social channels for our Boxing Day forecasts and Back to School predictions. #HappyHolidays #RetailCommunity #FestiveSeason 

It’s the most wonderful time of year for retailers who are pulling out all the stops for Aussies. Shoppers are expected to spend $69.8 billion during the lead up to Christmas, up 2.7% on last year’s figures, updated data from Roy Morgan reveals. In total, 16.7 million Australians will buy Christmas gifts in 2024, up 1% on 2023. On average, those shoppers are forecast to spend $707 each, up $61 on the average recorded a year ago.  ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown 🌻🌻🌻says it’s encouraging to see Australians eager to embrace the festive season despite cost-of-living challenges. “This peak season trading period is critical for retail, with many discretionary retailers making up to two thirds of their annual profit during peak season. " View media release - https://lnkd.in/dzpNxWzR

📢 Speaker Announcement: ARA Leaders Forum 25 We’re delighted to reveal the latest speakers joining the ARA Leaders Forum 25 lineup: • Natalie Phillips-Mason – Chief Ally and Founder, Inclusive Change • Mitchell Ross – Chief Executive Officer, Muru Office Supplies • Sandra McNeil - MBA, BSEE – Director of Operations, Amazon Australia • Sasha Titchkosky – Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Koskela • Maurice McCarthy – Managing Director, Customer Success, Optus • Ben Peacock – Brand & Creative Director, South Pole Full speaker lineup here - https://lnkd.in/diMKdKKz Join 400+ retail leaders and 70+ industry experts as we explore the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of retail on 26-27 February 2025 at ICC, Sydney. Don’t miss your chance to connect with Australia’s top industry leaders and gain actionable insights for the future of retail. Buy tickets now - https://lnkd.in/dKcuhcuT #ARALeadersForum #RetailLeadership #FutureOfRetail #Networking #RetailInnovation

👏👏👏 As our two retail peak bodies unite to form the Australian Retail Council (ARC) in 2025, we are excited to announce the incoming CEO for the new entity will be business leader Christopher Rodwell. Congratulations to Chris on his appointment. With an outstanding track record of advocacy and achievement on behalf of the business community, our team at Australian Retailers Association (ARA) are looking forward to working with Chris to support the growth of our $430 billion sector. More on Chris - and from Chris - at the media release link below https://lnkd.in/gtykAc57 Nicole Sheffield Tim Schaafsma Antony Moore CFE GAICD Lindsay Carroll https://lnkd.in/gcpF8Q6r

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) today announced Christopher Rodwell will be the inaugural CEO of the Australian Retail Council (ARC) supporting the establishment of the amalgamated entity from March 2025. As a proven leader in the Australian business community, Mr Rodwell will play a key role in elevating the critical contribution the retail sector makes to the Australian economy and communities across the nation. Media release: https://lnkd.in/gEvYFWbe

The retail sector has released its federal election priorities, calling on political leaders to adopt a growth-focused, forward-thinking approach to the sector which contributes more than 18% to Gross Domestic Product and employs one in ten Australians. Peak retail bodies, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) have released a collaborative agenda, highlighting the following policy priorities as political leaders prepare for a future election: 1. Embrace a growth mindset: strengthening consumer and business confidence  2. Grow the retail workforce: drive productivity through flexible policies and training 3. Collaborate on community outcomes: Tackling Crime, Cybersecurity, and Sustainability ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown 🌻🌻🌻says, “We can’t have an economic recovery without a retail recovery. We urge political leaders to adopt policies that will strengthen consumer and business confidence, lower costs, and align national policies to ensure sustainable economic growth." National Retail Association Interim CEO Lindsay Carroll says retailers are looking forward to working with governments to deliver policies that help retailers bounce back from a rough couple of years. View media release - https://lnkd.in/dGfV4Met Access the full policy priorities document - https://lnkd.in/dZD32YgN

Keynote speaker announcement: Chris Richardson joins ARA Leaders Forum 25 lineup     We are thrilled to announce renowned economist Chris Richardson as a keynote speaker for the ARA Leaders Forum 25, joining our session Retail’s Future Vision.    Chris will deliver his keynote, "Retail: What’s Next?", providing an unmissable analysis of how global trends, from AI and automation to shifting customer expectations, are shaping the retail landscape.    With his sharp economic insights, Chris will explore: - The impact of rising incomes and falling interest rates on retail in 2025. - How retailers can navigate the long-term challenges of sustainability, technology, and policy shifts. - The opportunities ahead for resilient and innovative leaders in a post-shock landscape.   Full ARA Leaders Forum 25 speaker lineup here: https://lnkd.in/diMKdKKz   Join 400+ retail leaders and 60+ industry experts at the ARA Leaders Forum 25, taking place at the ICC Sydney, 26 - 27 February 2025.   Buy tickets now: https://lnkd.in/dKcuhcuT   #ARALeadersForum #RetailLeadership #FutureOfRetail #RetailInnovation

The NSW Government, in collaboration with the ARA, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association and SafeWork NSW, is reminding everyone to treat retail workers with respect this festive season. The timely reminder to all customers that ‘violence and aggression against the retail workforce is never okay’ follows the Minns Labor government implementing the Crimes Legislation Amendment in June last year. Since its implementation, nearly 100 individuals have been charged with offences under the act with 44 individuals convicted of an offence and 13 individuals receiving a custodial imprisonment sentence. “Peak season trading and Christmas are one of the most important times of year for retailers. It’s also an exciting opportunity for Australians including younger workers to pick up casual employment. No one deserves to be spat on, threatened with weapons, intimidated or harassed for simply doing their job. Let’s work together to keep our retail staff safe this Christmas” said ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown. Media release: https://lnkd.in/gPAxHN8h Sophie Cotsis MP Bernie Smith Donna Davis Trent Curtin Angus Nardi

📢 Speaker Announcement: ARA Leaders Forum 25 We're excited to reveal the newest speakers joining the ARA Leaders Forum 25 lineup: - Scott Fyfe – Chief Executive Officer, David Jones - Lisa Keenan – Executive Director, M-Power, MECCA Brands - Aimee Dixon – General Manager, Enterprise Brand & Retail Marketing, Australia Post - Peter Carter - General Manager of Public Policy & Government Engagement, GS1 Australia - Gillian Smythe – Managing Director ANZ, Salsify ANZ - Hannah Udina – Head of Partnerships (ANZ), Shopify Full speaker lineup here - https://lnkd.in/diMKdKKz Join 400+ retail leaders and 70+ industry experts at the ARA Leaders Forum 25, taking place at the ICC Sydney, 26 - 27 February 2025.   Buy tickets now - https://lnkd.in/dKcuhcuT   #ARALeadersForum25 #RetailLeadership #FutureOfRetail #Networking #RetailInsights

The decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hold the cash rate at 4.35% is a missed opportunity to provide much-needed relief for households and businesses facing financial pressures across the festive season. ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown 🌻🌻🌻 said retailers continue to face the dual challenges of subdued consumer spending and rising business costs. “Small businesses are particularly vulnerable, grappling with rising costs in all areas, and continuing to feel the squeeze from economic pressures,” Ms Brown said. “With the peak trading period now underway, where many discretionary retailers make up to two thirds of their annual profit, a rate cut would have provided retailers with renewed confidence across Christmas and the New Year. “Retailers have been investing significantly in the Christmas season, from hiring additional staff to introducing new products and festive store displays,” she said. Ms Brown added that the ARA will continue to advocate for relief measures from the Federal Government to support the sector. “We urgently need action to ensure Australia’s $430 billion retail economy not only survives but thrives,” she said. View media release - https://lnkd.in/gFuu-wmd