VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone’s comments on the Toyota announcement:

- The timing of Toyota’s announcement is something of a surprise and we are obviously very disappointed because it has made a significant contribution to Victoria over many years.

- VECCI is already working with the State Government on responding to the cessation of vehicle manufacturing as a member of the Premier's Automotive Industry Roundtable.

- We have also had input into the initial work of the Federal Government’s Economic Review panel for Victoria, established to inform the design of its $100 million Growth Fund to support the changing manufacturing industry.

- We’ll now look at what further work we can do to support the business community as it responds.

- As the Victorian economy continues to undergo change it is more important than ever that governments work with business to capitalise on our enduring strengths and overcome the obstacles.

The Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) is the peak body for employers in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

www. vecci.org.au 

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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association today welcomes new NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs OAM and thanks former NSW Small Business Commissioner Yasmin King for all of her hard work and dedication to small business over the last few years.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the ARA is eager to work alongside Ms Hobbs once she officially begins her new role on 25 February 2014.

“The ARA looks forward to working alongside Ms Hobbs to ensure the retail sector remains viable and successful into the future. We are especially pleased to hear that one of Ms Hobbs’ first challenges is to review the Retail Leases Act.

“On behalf of the ARA and the wider retail industry, I would like to wish Yasmin King every success for the future. The retail sector have benefited greatly from Ms King’s ongoing support.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Australia's economy, representing 96 percent of all businesses in the country. In NSW alone, there are 680,000 small businesses employing around 50 percent of the NSW workforce,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 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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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said the seasonally adjusted rise (0.5 percent increase) in monthly retail trade figures (month-on-month) reported today by the ABS followed a 0.7 percent rise in November 2013.

These results are a positive sign that pre-Christmas sales were slow yet steady, with higher expectations for the January post-Christmas sales.

Year on year retail growth also increased to 5.6 percent.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the 0.5 percent increase in monthly retail trade figures is a positive sign for the retail industry following previous weak Christmas sales. This is also an indication that some categories remain on a slow growth path and the need to fix the GST tax inequality caused by overseas purchases is imperative.

“It is essential that the government finally makes a decision to close the low value GST loophole. Australian retailers have been competing at a disadvantage for too long, and it is only fair that the closing of the GST loophole is made a priority.

“We are certainly expecting higher trade results in January, as there have been reports that the post-Christmas sales period was extremely successful, fuelled largely by booming Boxing Day sales.

“Anecdotally, a number of retailers I have spoken to since Christmas have been blown away by how enormous Boxing Day was and we expect this will be evident in January’s retail trade figures.

“It’s no surprise that food retailing (2.5%) and cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.5%) were large contributors to the December results due to the warm weather and social events associated with Christmas parties, celebrations and end-of-year holidays.

“These rises were partially offset by falls in other retailing (-3.1 percent), clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-2.1 percent) and household goods retailing (-0.2 percent) following a strong November.

“The ARA was also pleased to see turnover rise in New South Wales (0.9%), Victoria (0.6%), Queensland (0.2%), Tasmania (1.8%), Australian Capital Territory (1.3%) and Western Australia (0.1%) in December and very strong year on year sales,” Mr Zimmerman said.

MONTHLY RETAIL GROWTH (November 2013 – December 2013 seasonally adjusted)

Food retailing (2.5%),

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (0.5%),

Department stores (0.3%),

Household goods retailing (-0.2%),

Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (-2.1%), and

Other retailing (-3.1%).

Total sales (0.5%).

Tasmania (1.8%),

Australian Capital Territory (1.3%),

New South Wales (0.9%),

Victoria (0.6%),

Queensland (0.2%),

Western Australia (0.1%),

South Australia (-0.2%) and

Northern Territory (-1.5%).

Total sales (0.5%).

YEAR-ON-YEAR RETAIL GROWTH (December 2012 – December 2013 seasonally adjusted)

Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (10.4%),

Food retailing (6.8%),

Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (5.5%),

Other retailing (3.8%),

Household goods retailing (3.3%), and

Department stores (-0.5%).

Total sales (5.6%).

Tasmania (8.0%),

Australian Capital Territory (7.2%),

New South Wales (7.2%),

Victoria (5.9%),

Queensland (4.8%),

South Australia (4.3%),

Western Australia (3.0%) and

Northern Territory (2.8%).

Total sales (5.6%).

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 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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PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is concerned for the future of small business after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the current cash rate of 2.5 percent unchanged today.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it continues to be extremely difficult for businesses, especially small to medium businesses, to expand and contribute their full potential to the Australian economy without sufficient financial support in the post GFC finance world.

“It is crucial that the RBA and government work together to find a way of supporting small business finance availability. Without access to much-needed finance, the retail sector will not be able to move forward and develop.

“The ARA is also worried that a rate stay at this time of year may reverse the positive results that the industry has worked hard to achieve over the last few months, particularly during the booming Christmas period.

“We were also hoping for a reduction in the current cash rate in order stimulate employment, particularly youth employment which has recently hit an 11-year low. The ARA is strongly concerned for the future of Australian retail workers and a reduction today would have certainly supported the retail industry and encouraged employment opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow.

“While business needs support it is also important for consumers to continue to have relief on their stretched budgets to allow them to support the retail economy.

“The ARA believes the current cash rate has room for further adjustment and we have every hope that with the RBA’s support, the retail sector will experience a healthier and more successful year compared to the last,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 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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