VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone believes the Andrews Government’s Victoria’s Regional Statement has a positive focus on supporting skills, improving infrastructure, boosting connectivity and developing tourism in our regions.

"VECCI is pleased that the Premier has highlighted the importance of supporting regional businesses with a heartfelt presentation in Milawa today, which was supported by the business and local government communities in attendance," Mr Stone said.

He said especially welcome is the announced:

• $34 million Regional Skills and Training package to support access to training for people in need.
• $20 million investment in the next stage of the Macalister Irrigation District project which will benefit local agribusinesses.
• Improvements to mobile device reception through the Regional Rail Connectivity Project.
• The development of a pipeline of the 10 most significant regional tourism projects.
• Fast-tracking of major state and regional projects to boost local economies and create jobs. 

"It is encouraging that the Statement’s priorities are consistent with recommendations put forward at the VECCI Victoria Summit 2015 – Regional Victoria, our submission to the government’s review of regional service delivery and our ongoing dialogue with the Premier and senior ministers," Mr Stone said.

"VECCI welcomes these announcements as they will support the development of a skilled regional workforce, a more competitive regional business community and job creation throughout Victoria.
 
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Andrews Government on the implementation of these important measures."

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

vecci.org.au

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THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan Research annual Christmas spending figures indicate Australian shoppers will spend $46.7 billion in retail stores over the Christmas trading period from November 15 to December 24, 2015.

ARA executive director, Russell Zimmerman, said Australian consumers are tipped to spend 3.6 percent more on Christmas at Australian retail stores this year than in 2014, a fantastic rate of growth in light of current levels of consumer sentiment and the raising of interest rates by the major banks this month.

“While the ARA would obviously be thrilled to see higher levels of growth, given the current climate and underlying factors, we’re confident that retailers will see a robust Christmas trade that builds on the amount spent across the country last year,” said Mr Zimmerman.

The ARA has partnered with research partner, Roy Morgan Research, to put together the projections, which factor in aspects such as unemployment and consumer sentiment. In 2014, the ARA and Roy Morgan correctly predicted Christmas spending would reach $45 billion, representing growth of 4.3 percent, with actual sales hitting $45.2 billion for the period.

The ARA has provided pre-Christmas spending forecasts for more than 20 years.

“Victorian retailers particularly will be set for a rush in sales over the next six weeks, with forecast growth of 4.6 percent for the state, while Queensland shoppers will also be considerably active in stores to the tune of 4.2 percent growth,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Category-wise, retailers in the ‘other retailing’ category will be the winners this year, with 5.6 percent growth expected, while apparel stores will also see a 4.7 percent boost.

“The ARA and Roy Morgan have had almost pinpoint accuracy in our forecast for the last few years, and we’re pleased to see that consumers will continue to hit the shops in their droves in 2015.

“While the week before Christmas is traditionally the biggest shopping week of the year, there’s plenty of consumers who like to be prepared and get in early, with a good deal of Aussies starting to tick items off their Christmas lists from mid-November onwards,” he said.

See tables below for a full break down of the ARA and Roy Morgan’s predicted category and state pre-Christmas sales for November 15 to December 24.

ARA ROY MORGAN PRE-CHRISTMAS 2015 SALES PREDICTIONS

November 15 - December 24

2015 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by State

(ARA/ROY MORGAN)

2015 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by Category

(ARA/ROY MORGAN)

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $284 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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THE Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) would like to congratulate the National Roads & Motorists' Association and Mr Rohan Lund following his appointment as Group CEO of Australia’s customer owned business. The NRMA is a founding member of the BCCM.

BCCM CEO, Melina Morrison commenting on the news said:

"Customer owned businesses are experiencing a strong period of growth for the past 24 months as shown in the BCCM's 2015 National Mutual Economy Report with a 14% year-on-year increase in combined annual turnover for the Top 100 Australian co-operative and mutual enterprises (CMEs).

"Customer owned banking is another sector showing strong growth as KPMG’s Mutuals Industry Review 2015 has shown.

"The appointment of Mr Lund with his experience in communications and customer service is fitting, given it is an inherent and unique advantage of businesses owned by their customers."

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) is the national peak body representing the co-operative and mutual models of enterprise in Australia. Formed in 2013, the BCCM is led by the chief executives of Australia’s leading co-operative and mutual businesses and is the only organisation uniting the entire, diverse range of member owned business. 

www.bccm.coop

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WITH LESS than two weeks to go to the UN Conference on climate change (COP21) and the conclusion of the G20 last weekend, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) continues to engage its network in more than 130 countries to advocate for a climate deal that engages business to fully address the climate challenge.

"ICC has underscored the need for the G20 to show leadership in engaging and collaborating with the private sector in an unprecedented way to tackle the climate challenge," said Kersten-Karl Barth, Chair of the ICC Commission on the Environment and Energy.

As energy investment is expected to be the largest single area of overall infrastructure investment over the coming decades requiring US$1-2 trillion per annum over the coming decades - engagement of the private sector will be critical.