ARTIFICIAL intelligence, biotechnology, ethical clothing and boutique wines are some of the big winners in the latest round of the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants for 2018.

A total of $286,000 will be shared between 16 local small businesses and social enterprises, with the council voting to also hold two funding rounds of the flagship grants program in 2019.

Chair of the Small Business, Retail and Hospitality portfolio, Councillor Susan Riley, said the two funding rounds would help the City of Melbourne to support more small businesses than ever.

“Small business is the lifeblood of our city, making up almost 80 per cent of Melbourne’s total businesses,” Cr Riley said.

“The Small Business Grants program is one of the most successful run by the City of Melbourne.

“Between 2006 and 2016 alone, $3.5 million in funding was provided to 200 small businesses, assisting them to generate $70.9 million of gross turnover, $58.3 million of equity investment, creating more than 900 jobs and $2.9 million of export earnings.

“These are incredible numbers and a testament to why providing support to small businesses is so vital."

Melbourne’s knowledge sector is front and centre of the successful 2018 grant recipients, with nine of the 16 recipients working in the technology, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology industries.

The City of Melbourne Small Business Grants Program has been running since 1996, awarding over $8.3 million in funding to almost 400 small businesses.

“Now more than ever we need to continue supporting new and emerging businesses that make Melbourne their home and are so crucial to our city’s economy and prosperity,” Cr Riley said.

“I’m incredibly excited to announce this year’s successful recipients, who represent some of the most innovative and unique businesses which are changing the face of our city.”

Notable previous Small Business Grants recipients include KeepCup (2008), KokoBlack (2003),Melbourne Rooftop Honey (2011), UbiPark (2015), Reground (2017), Code Like a Girl (2017), Hidden Secret Tours (2002), West Space (1999) and e.g.etal (1998), which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

“I look forward to seeing what this year’s grant recipients can achieve, and encourage those who may have missed out this year to apply for our new expanded program in 2019,” Cr Riley said.

An expanded Small Business Grants program will include two funding rounds each year, mentoring, an alumni network, support for Aboriginal businesses and a ‘new development’ grant category.

For more information on the Small Business Grants, and to view the 2018 successful recipients, visit the City of Melbourne’s Small Business Grants Program website.

2018 SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS: SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS

Startup Category:

• ColourSpace Gallery
• Dreamwalk Apps
• MagicPi
• Justice Denim
• Viva La Cup
• Tilly
• She’s A Crowd
• Act of Wine
• Umps Health
• Zero Impact

Expansion Category:

• 10 Tickles Animation & Design
• Christine
• Girl Geek Academy
• Ion Opticks
• Silverpond
• The Sneaker Laundry

WITH Santa and his reindeers scheduled to leave the North Pole in just a few short weeks, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan are predicting Australians to spend more than $51 billion over the Christmas trading period from November 9 to December 24, 2018.

The ARA expects Aussie shoppers will be dashing through local shops to purchase the ultimate gifts for their friends and family this Christmas, and Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA said shoppers will be turning to retail stores to tick presents off their lists.

“With the festive season commencing in less than two days, most Aussies will be in the process of setting-up their Christmas lights and decorating their Christmas trees in preparation for the upcoming festivities,” Mr Zimmerman said.

"Likewise, retailers have also followed suit, embellishing their store windows with captivating displays and offering a variety of new and exciting products for consumers to spoil their loved ones with.”

With the ARA and Roy Morgan expecting shoppers to increase their spending in the ‘Other retailing’ category by 2.7 percent, products from the Electronics and Hi-Fi categories are projected to be highly sought-after this Christmas, with Ryan Murtagh CEO at Neto explaining the uprise in popularity from this category.

“Being connected is now cheaper, easier and cooler than ever before. With new gadgets and technology hitting the high street, there is now a marketplace for both tech-savvy youngsters and adults to indulge in these products, providing significant opportunities for retailers who operate in this category,” Mr Murtagh said. 

According to the Neto State of E-Commerce report, the electronics category saw a 22 percent year-on-year growth in 2018.

With the average basket size for this category in excess of $116, Cameron Trainor, managing director at JB Hi-Fi, said the demand for personal devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops and advanced internet of things (IoT) connected devices like Google Home and Smart TVs have contributed to the high volume of rapid growth in the electronics category.

“Gaming, fitness accessories, smart home technologies and robotics are amongst the most popular items for consumers to purchase this Christmas. Our retailers are stocked and ready to go with innovative products to stimulate consumer preferences ahead of the upcoming festive season,” Mr Trainor said.

Hitwise’s Weekly Internal Site Searches data from eBay reveals gaming consoles, including Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, are the top trending products for Christmas, with wireless headphones and drones amongst the top 10 most popular searches, the ARA believe retailers who specialise in electronics will have a bountiful Christmas this year.

“As mentioned in Neto’s State of E-Commerce report, the electronics and hi-fi markets are worth a considerable $3 billion, and the ARA suspect gaming consoles and smart home technology products will be flying off the shelves this Christmas,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Christmas is the season of giving and with a fantastic range of technology on offer this festive season, Christmas trees across Australia will be filled with new and exciting and gifts to unwrap on the big day.”

ARA Roy Morgan Pre-Christmas Sales Predictions

November 9 – December 24, 2018

2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by Category

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

2018 Pre-Christmas Sales Growth by State

[ARA / ROY MORGAN]

https://www.retail.org.au/christmas-predictions/

Neto’s 2018 State of eCommerce Report

Hitwse’s Hot Holiday Products and Top Toys.

About the Australian Retailers Association:
Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 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 Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has acknowledged the passage of the Modern Slavery Bill 2018 through the Federal Parliament.

The new legislation introduces a mandatory reporting requirement for large businesses and organisations, among other means designed to tackle modern day slavery. 

According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index, modern slavery is estimated to affect 45.8 million people across the world. Under the new laws, businesses exceeding $100 million in annual turnover will be required to investigate their supply chains and report on their activities to stamp out instances of modern slavery.

The ARA expects the first modern slavery reports to be completed by the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.

Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the ARA, said many retailers have already employed ethical sourcing programs and are passionate about eliminating modern slavery from their supply chains.

“These new laws will introduce a collective approach to address instances of modern slavery, which will make it far easier for individual organisations to make a bigger impact through their supply chains,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“We believe a competitive, market-based approach to investigating and stopping modern slavery will produce results by encouraging a ‘race-to-the-top’ mentality amongst retailers.”

The ARA undertook comprehensive consultations with major retailers, submitted to three separate inquiries, and engaged directly with the Federal Government to ensure that the new requirements were flexible and practical for retailers.

“We have been extensively involved in the development of the new laws over the last 18 months and the ARA continues to be the only retail organisation advocating for a pragmatic approach on behalf of the industry,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“The complex and interconnected nature of many supply chains can cause major headaches for retailers when trying to eliminate unethical practices and potentially also when complying with modern slavery reporting.”

Mr Zimmerman said previous calls for strict penalties and the introduction of an Anti-Slavery Commissioner went too far, and that the new laws strike the right balance.

“The ARA will continue to represent retailers when the development of regulations and guidelines begins in-earnest over the next few months, to ensure that pragmatism prevails,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“Moving forward, we will be seeking for further clarity on behalf of retailers regarding a number of practical elements, including for concession retailers and resellers, as well as the financial impact of the extensive auditing which will be required to satisfy the reporting obligations.”

The ARA will has produced a brief explainer for retailers on what the changes will mean for their businesses, which can be accessed here.

Retailers can also stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments and guidance by visiting www.retail.org.au, or by checking the fortnightly Retail Voice newsletter.


About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s largest retail association, representing the country’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. As Australia’s leading retail peak industry body, the ARA is a strong pro-active advocate for Australian retail and works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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NATIONAL CONGRESS has reported that it is pleased that the final Joint Select Committee report on the Voice to the Parliament has recommended the constitutionally enshrined Voice and setting up of the truth and justice commission.

Now the National Congress of Australia's is urging the Federal Government to now accept the recommendations and act on them.

"We would like to thank the committee for their work and recognising the inputs and recommendations made by our peoples," reported a National Congress  official communique.

"We echo the recommendations that accepting the Statement from the Heart at Uluru will inform Australians of facts of what has happened in the past and continues today, knowing and understanding the truth and history will only strengthen the identity of this nation.

"The recommendations in the final report are received with the hope that its implementation should be first priority of the 46^th Parliament. We also hope that legislation is passed quickly to enact a process of truth-telling involving local organisations and regional communities and the creation of a truth and justice commission."

Recommendations made by the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples have been acknowledged and appreciated by professor Tom Calma in the report, underlining the work done by the organisation to further the rights of First Nationsl peoples and action on the voice to the Parliament.
 
Jackie Huggins, co-chair of the National Congress said, “We hope that the call to enshrine the voice, truth and justice commission in the 46^th Parliament is met. We urge the government to now legislate the recommendations without further delay." 
 
National Congress co-chair Rod Little said, "The government must realise there is much that can be done before the election to progress important work identified within the recommendations of the report. First Australians continue to be locked out of making decisions on matters that impact our families and communities and ultimately rightful recognition in the Constitution will go a long way to improving the lives of future generations.”

"The success of this country has been built on First Peoples suffering, however here is an opportunity to create a brighter future for this nation through equality and justice for all Australian’s including First Australians.

"This report needs to be embraced positively and legislative action is urged to set us on a path that would enable a partnership to seriously close the gaps and address concerns our people have faced for so long. We call on this government to urgently enact the reforms proposed in the final report, commencing with a truth-telling and agreement making commission."

About the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples

National Congress is the peak organisation representing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Congress was established following extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and leaders and has represented First People at the federal level since 2010. National Congress represents close to 10,000 individual members from across Australia as well as over 180 peak and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

www.nationalcongress.com.au

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