Australia’s largest retail body, The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has outlined what retail businesses want from the major parties this election, with a focus on sustainability, upskilling and reskilling and greater resilience coming up trumps.

With the election falling during a time of intense global, social and economic uncertainty, the ARA says resilience measures to support businesses through the tough times ahead, need to be a focus.

“From the conflict in Europe to supply chain and chronic labour and skills pressures, rising inflation and unprecedented climate events such as the local flooding – the outcome of this year’s election will set the national agenda for decades to come,” said ARA CEO Paul Zahra.

“We’ve turned a corner on COVID, but it’s left an abundance of business challenges in its wake including our biggest ever disruptor – climate change. The business community needs evidence that all parties are approaching these challenges with a long-term, strategic mindset.”

The ARA has released five strategic priorities the retail community would like to see addressed: Labour and skills shortages, small business recovery, supply chain resilience, and creating sustainable and inclusive businesses.

Labour and skill shortages

Even before the pandemic, labour and skills shortages have been an issue in the retail sector. The ARA believes opening borders to bring qualified trades back into the country will help disaster-affected communities and supply chains get back on their feet sooner. The retail body also believes more needs to be done to address issues surrounding vocational training and upskilling.

Specifically, the ARA hopes any new government will expand existing programs that provide access to vocational training and career pathways to job seekers outside the current cohort of young people aged 18-24. By expanding programs to include existing workers, The ARA believes these employees can upskill and progress their career without having to find a new employer or move out of the sector. The ARA would also like to see more opportunities for meaningful employment opportunities for marginalised communities including older Australians, Indigenous people, people living with a disability and recently arrived migrants.

Small business recovery

With the recovery of the retail and hospitality sector being extremely hampered by the inability to find skilled staff.  The ARA is calling for the expansion of the Temporary Skills Shortage visa program to include hard-to-fill roles particularly in digital, strengthened by a pathway to permanent residency for roles where employers bring global talent into Australia to drive productivity and innovation.

Inclusive retail workplaces

According to the ARA Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) is a core priority for retailers.  The ARA has outlined its priorities for DEI in its its Position Statement for Gender Equality, in-line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Of particular focus is gender equality, where the association is advocating for more cost-effective access to childcare for working families; meaningful and flexible return-to-work options for parents returning to the workforce; and improved financial independence of women through their working life and in retirement.

Retail needs supply chain resilience 

With the ARA predicting supply chain issues could remain challenging for the next 18 months the retail body is lobbying for any newly formed government to address the current red tape hampering imported products. The ARA would also like to see increased support for local manufacturing capabilities. Especially where vulnerabilities exist along critical supply chains like food and healthcare. In addition, the ARA wants an increased focus on supply chain traceability and transparency to manage risks and address key challenges like modern slavery.

Move to sustainable business

With 85 per cent of Australia’s fast fashion ending up in landfills each year, it’s understandable that the sector is stepping up its efforts to be more sustainable. The ARA has launched a Net-zero Roadmap for the Australian retail sector and to accelerate that transition it is hoping for more support from government as it moves towards a low carbon circular economy.

One program they would like to see expand is the Recycling Modernisation Fund to improve the efficiency of collecting and segregating post-consumer waste and developing new markets for recycled content. The ARA believes this would make it easier for retailers and consumers to connect with circular solutions.

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