Flat consumer confidence highlights need for Government to step up and support retail sector

 

PEAK retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) was somewhat disappointed to see consumer confidence remain flat after the Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment rose by only 0.3 percent in April to 99.7. 

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retailers were hoping for a better result, given that the index has fallen by a total of 9.6 percent since November. 

“Consumers need to see some of the Government’s promised boosts to increasing hip pocket flexibility delivered by the Senate such as the abolition of the carbon tax. 

“What the industry also needs now is Government support through cutting red tape, greater employment flexibility, addressing the GST loophole and reducing other burdens on Australian businesses who are struggling to keep their heads above water. 

“Employment flexibility is a major for issue for the retail sector - retailers must be able to trade when customers want to shop. Today we live in a global market and we will only lose trade to overseas competitors if we do not trade to meet customer requirements. 

“All levels of Government and the Fair Work Commission (FWC) must recognise the need to broaden the definition of normal working hours for those employees who wish to be flexible. 

“It is perfectly reasonably that many employees are happy to start at 10am or 11am and finish work at (a still reasonable) 6pm or 7pm, allowing them to coordinate child, school and other duties with their partners. 

“Why, in this day and age, retail businesses are punished for opening after 6pm, when many families find these flexible times fully reasonable, is anachronistic,” 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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