THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is looking forward to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Payments Systems Board making a final decision on Friday 20th May to accept a number of recommendations on payments system reform.

Australian retailers are looking to regulation to deliver efficiency, fairness and resolve the apparent market failure. The ARA is optimistic that that the RBA is looking to reign for those selected few high cost cards which would otherwise continue to cost merchants more.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said this is will be a positive sign of action from the RBA’s Payments System Board (PSB) that should deliver balance to our payments system, providing safe and affordable credit for shoppers and reasonable cost of acceptance for Australian retailers.

“The ARA has been working with the RBA seeking to have merchant fees reduced and aiming to have companion cards regulated. We are hopeful that we will see the RBA accept previous recommendations when they meet this Friday,” he said.

“Retailers have been in an ideal position to comment on how this can be achieved with the ARA intimately involved in the process to reduce costs for our sector,” Mr Zimmerman said.

The ARA considers the expected outcome a step in the right direction, through there are flaws that remain in the current system which are unlikely to be addressed on Friday. The largest of these issues is the lack of regulation of the plethora of very high cost and new payment systems coming on to the market.

Unregulated payment systems - including American Express, Diners’ Club, China Union Pay – carry greater costs to merchants than the regulated Visa and MasterCard. These excessive fees are forcing many retailers pass these higher costs onto their customers by surcharging.

“It is heartening that - at least in this case - the RBA is looking to reign for those selected few high cost cards which would otherwise continue to cost merchants more.

“Through the efforts of the ARA over many years we have been able to reduce costs on the three regulated payment schemes, EFTPOS, Visa and MasterCard,” Mr Zimmerman said.

The ARA is advocating for the regulation of all card schemes to reduce costs on all cards. Retailers are encouraged to support this position by refusing to accept high cost cards and surcharging, and discouraging acceptance of the high cost payment schemes. 

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $300 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) commends the collaborative innovation of eBay and Myer in creating the world’s first Virtual Reality (VR) Department Store, providing an exciting look into the future of retailing.

Launched yesterday, the trial of the VR department store concept is the result of a joint project between Australia’s largest online marketplace, eBay, and iconic Australian retailer, Myer.

Customers can browse Myer’s range of over 12000 products on eBay entirely within the virtual environment, made possible through a digital application and specifically designed VR headset.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, said this partnership reflects the commitment of these industry leaders in advancing the ecommerce experience and omnichannel approach to retailing.

“We congratulate Myer and eBay on this exciting initiative, and we look to the future of virtual shopping technology for both retailers and customers alike.

“This immersive platform blends both digital and physical retail environments, providing a seamless experience for consumers to personalise, explore, research and purchase products.

“Truly a first for the industry, the development and trial of this technology is at the forefront of retail innovation and represents promising new opportunities for retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Australian consumers can be the first to experience virtual reality shopping, with Myer and eBay offering 15000 cardboard virtual reality viewers free-of-charge. 

These ‘Shopticals’ are available from www.ebay.com.au/VR.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $300 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $293 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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RIVER CITY Labs is offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to apply for a corporate sponsored membership for their Startup within Brisbane's busiest co-working community.

The offer includes full-time desk membership, structured mentoring and publicity for the Startup for three months, fully sponsored.

• Applications Open: right now
• Applications Close: 20th May 2016 @ 7pm

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WINNER of the Small and Medium Enterprises category in the 2015 Premier's Sustainability Awards - Yarra Valley Estate - is now encouraging other sustainable businesses to enter the 2016 Premier's Sustainability Awards to celebrate their work.

Yarra Valley Estate is a conference, wedding and accommodation centre, located at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Formerly a deer park stripped bare of all its trees and shrubs, this 120 acre property has been nurtured and rehabilitated so that today it is surrounded by lush forest with organic vegetable gardens and a private wildlife rehabilitation centre, Babbajin Park. 

To ensure continual improvement, Yarra Valley Estate has measured its footprint and benchmarked operations locally and globally. The business has formalised policies and procedures to offset the business to carbon neutral and to remain in line with the purpose that the business perform public good through nurturing people’s wellbeing and helping reconnect them back to nature.

Louise Ward, owner of Yarra Valley Estate, encourages business owners all over Victoria to enter the awards this year.

"Winning the Award shows you don't have to be a big corporation or have a lot of budget to run a sustainable business," she says. "For our staff, our customers and our community, entering has been probably one of the best things we've ever done."

Sustainability Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan, congratulated the Yarra Valley Estate team for their sustainable project, and for their commitment to improving Victoria’s environment.

“Delivering these awards each year means we continue to discover the talent and passion Victorians have for protecting their natural environment and minimising the impacts of climate change.

“We encourage participation across all sectors, focussing on delivering a triple bottom line – environmental, economic, and social benefits for Victoria,” Mr Krpan said.

Now in their 14^th year, the Premier's Sustainability Awards continue to promote leadership and innovation in sustainability, and encourage a broader adoption of these practices by all Victorians.

There are 10 categories in this year’s awards program - Built Environment, Community, Education, Environmental Justice, Environmental Protection, Government, Health, Innovative Products or Services, Large Business, and Small and Medium Enterprises.

See Louise Ward's video story and more information at

http://www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au/small-and-medium-enterprises

Register now to attend an information session for guidance on preparing a compelling entry, to ask questions relating to category eligibility and hear about benefits of entering. 

To register email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Session dates are Wednesday 18 May (2-4pm) and Thursday 9 June (10am-12pm).

For more information, go to www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au

Entries close 5 pm Monday 27 June 2016.  

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