Are you hiring for the Omni-channel environment?

Recruiting in the retail landscape is vastly different from BI (before internet) days. When considering taking on new employees,...

Recruiting in the retail landscape is vastly different from BI (before internet) days. When considering taking on new employees, retailers must evaluate the technological capabilities of a candidate as well as their ability to deliver a great customer experience. Customer experience has extended from in-store sales service to online customer...

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Skilling Queenslanders for Work – Ready for Retail

More than 200 jobseekers across Queensland will receive training this year through the National Retail Association as part of...

More than 200 jobseekers across Queensland will receive training this year through the National Retail Association as part of the Queensland Government’s successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. The program helps to assist Queenslanders across the state to get job-ready for Retail. We have already delivered to over 100...

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Clothes for a Cause – taking training one step further

At the National Retail Association (NRA), we deliver retail training and work experience for students of all ages through...

At the National Retail Association (NRA), we deliver retail training and work experience for students of all ages through our accredited Ready for Retail Program. Retail is a great place to learn transferable skills, however we are taking it one step further. The NRA Training Team noticed that many students,...

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Business grants for Northern Adelaide

The South Australian Minister for Small Business, Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, has advised the National Retail Association of the...

The South Australian Minister for Small Business, Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith MP, has advised the National Retail Association of the launch of the Small Business Development Fund for Northern Adelaide. Small businesses based in the local government areas of Playford, Salisbury and Port Adelaide Enfield can now access a $10m fund...

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Australia’s work visa corruption allegations

With more than 1 million people working in Australia on temporary work visas, claims are revealing fraudulent visa applications...

With more than 1 million people working in Australia on temporary work visas, claims are revealing fraudulent visa applications on the black market and exploitation of Australia’s visa regime. The immigration department is currently facing more referred allegations of corruption in the past 12 months than the watchdog has...

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Message from the CEO: 20 June 2016

There are just 12 days left in the Federal Election campaign, and I think all Australians – including the...

There are just 12 days left in the Federal Election campaign, and I think all Australians – including the politicians – are well and truly ready to see the end of it. Regardless of which side you support, we know that these events can have a disproportionate impact on...

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Breakdown after dismissal breathes new life into unfair dismissal claim

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker...

A former employee’s unfair dismissal claim has been given new life at a Fair Work Commission hearing. A worker was granted permission by the Commission to pursue her unfair dismissal claim, 64 days outside the 21 day statutory limit. Senior Deputy President (Snr DP) Lea Drake considered the worker’s statement...

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Message from the CEO: 6 June 2016

Let me apologise in advance if this week’s message is a little dour, but I’m sorry to say it’s...

Let me apologise in advance if this week’s message is a little dour, but I’m sorry to say it’s been that kind of a week in the retail world. On Wednesday we received the news that the Fair Work Commission had decided on a 2.4 per cent increase in...

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Helping the next generation transition to work

There are nearly a quarter of a million young Australians out of work, and the number of people starting...

There are nearly a quarter of a million young Australians out of work, and the number of people starting an apprenticeship or traineeship has fallen by 40 per cent over the last three years. The National Retail Association (NRA) has partnered with Busy at Work to deliver the Transition...

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Message from the CEO: 23 May 2016

Taxation, employment, economic stability – they’re terms that get thrown about a great deal during a federal election campaign....

Taxation, employment, economic stability – they’re terms that get thrown about a great deal during a federal election campaign. But while they aren’t the most exciting concepts for the average voter, their long-term effects for retailers are profound. The GST Low Value Threshold (LVT) on imports under $1000 for example,...

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Free training for job-seekers

The National Retail Association, in conjunction with Hardware Australia are pleased to offer free* training to eligible job-seekers looking...

The National Retail Association, in conjunction with Hardware Australia are pleased to offer free* training to eligible job-seekers looking to start a career in hardware. The course aims to provide job-seekers with the skills and knowledge to work effectively in a hardware and customer service environment. This 7 week course consists...

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Message from the CEO: 16 May 2016

More than a quarter of employed young people aged 15 – 24 work in retail, so the announcement of...

More than a quarter of employed young people aged 15 – 24 work in retail, so the announcement of the youth jobs PaTH program in the budget should provide some encouragement for employees to actively engage young people into work. However, there has been some controversy surrounding the program, and...

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Women and the Australian retail industry

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both...

The Australian retail industry continues to be a key employer of women, providing a variety of opportunities in both sales, and non-sales roles, according to a recent report prepared by the National Retail Association (NRA). The report highlights the significant contribution made by women across the industry and gives particular attention...

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Empowering the next generation store associate

With customers mingling their purchases between online and in-store, the view they have when dealing with a retailer is...

With customers mingling their purchases between online and in-store, the view they have when dealing with a retailer is one of unity. They do not define their relationship based on where they purchase but rather who they purchase with. The consequences of this run deep into in-store businesses and more...

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Modern Award Review Developments

The National Retail Association (NRA) has been actively involved in the Fair Work Commission’s four yearly review of Modern Awards....

The National Retail Association (NRA) has been actively involved in the Fair Work Commission’s four yearly review of Modern Awards. Of key importance to our members is our push to reduce Sunday penalty rates and our opposition to claims by the unions, primarily relating to casual conversion and to increase...

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IR Update: Employer’s termination of latecomer commendable

In the recent case of Rooney v Pickles Auctions FWC 858 (9 February 2016), an employer has been...

In the recent case of Rooney v Pickles Auctions FWC 858 (9 February 2016), an employer has been commended for his efforts in following due termination process. The National Retail Association consistently reminds its members of the equal weight given to a valid reason for termination as well...

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