ARA and NRA revive merger plan.

 

Australia’s two leading retail organisations - the Australian Retailers Association and the National Retail Association - have signed a heads of agreement on a proposal to merge, a plan that was called off in 2019.

 

The amalgamation of Australia’s top two retail lobby groups will result in a single unified body representing the $420 billion sector.

 

“It makes absolute sense to create one voice for retail and to combine our strengths to support the growth of this vital sector, which employs one in 10 Australians,” Nicole Sheffield, ARA president, said.

 

“While the resilience of retailers has been second to none in recent years, the headwinds we face as a sector have never been more challenging – from supply chain challenges and retail crime to sustainability outcomes and the rise of artificial intelligence. Joining forces for the good of our industry is an obvious win for all parties,” she said.

 

As the two groups are expected to start collaborating on joint advocacy work covering retail crime, trading hours and the industry’s application to vary the general retail awards.