Christmas comes early for NSW retailers who can now trade 24-hours-a-day

THE Australian Retailers Association congratulates the New South Wales (NSW) Government’s decision to allow eligible retailers to trade 24-hours-a-day in the two weeks before Christmas.

Starting today, retailers and local shopping centres can offer shoppers more flexibility by extending their trading hours without requiring specific planning approval.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said the industry strongly supported the changes, provided retailers who didn't want to open for extended hours during the Christmas shopping period were not forced to do so.

“This is a first for NSW and a great opportunity for retailers. The ARA would like to thank Minister for Planning Pru Goward and Minister for Small Business John Barilaro for supporting this initiative which will no doubt give local retailers a much-needed boost during the crucial shopping season.

“This move should help NSW in continuing to be the growth engine for the Australian economy while other states are going through structural adjustments.

“With only 14 days until Christmas, we’re confident that this move will also support the ARA’s predicted pre-Christmas sales figure of $45 billion to go through retail tills before 24 December 2014.

“The ARA now calls on state Labor and the NSW Upper House independents to support the government and allow Boxing Day trade for all retailers who want to open - not just the current restricted areas which kill trade for small and large businesses on the busiest trading day of the year,” Mr Zimmerman said.

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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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