Recent changes to the ARA are a clear indication to its members and the sector that the council is determined to establish the Australian Retailers Association as a truly national organisation maintaining its peak industry body status. Leaders can come and go but the status of retailing will always continue to be an important indicator to the health of the Australian economy. Consumers drive growth and therefore it is vital the ARA prepares the sector with opportunities to grow and prosper.
Your council has determined a strategy to increase services to you under five pillars which will be the focus of the ARA during the next strategic period.
Representation:
Australian retailing is a major contributor to Australia both in economic and social capital terms. It provides many Australians the opportunity to be their own boss and the major chains play an important role in providing many young Australians their first job opportunity. The retail sector’s critical role to Australia both socially and economically means that it requires a strong voice with all level of governments. Retailing is fragmented in Australia and because of that its influence is weakened. The immediate goal of the ARA is to provide a louder voice for you so that the issues retailers face can be heard.Education:
Without doubt a sure way to increase sales is to educate and train retail operators and their staff. Our key assets go home every day and we hope they turn up the next day for without staff we don’t have a business. Some of us do not recognise the importance of this concept so the ARA believes we have to prepare retailers to embrace the “work on your business rather than work in your business” model. Educated and well-trained staff could mean the difference between profitable future or struggling to make ends meet. The operational goal of the ARA is to expand our education offerings to help you grow and prosper.Retail Consulting:
The source of retail expertise should be your association and we are committed to providing you with opportunities that will help you grow and prosper. Whether it is Employee Relations, Tenancy, Legal, Operational or indeed any advice you need the ARA is committed to expanding services to ensure we can provide you with expert knowledge. Our goal will be to build our free advice benefits and expand our fee for service offerings.
Membership services:
The concept of learning is high on our agenda and this will drive our strategy to increase services to you. Be it networking events, a resource directory, expanded industry awards, policy briefings or social events the ARA will be increasing the calendar to ensure members have growth opportunities. The strength of any organisation is its members and we will be working to assist you in developing your business opportunities.
Retail Partnerships:
The ARA is committed to providing you with growth opportunities and we believe we can negotiate business relationships that will offer you increased services at a price you can afford. Our immediate goal is to offer you increased products to our current portfolio and our long term strategy is to bring greater choice to you.
Your ARA has the team in place to ensure we can provide increased service to you. Over the next three months or so you will see increased services in the way we communicate with you and the way we promote ourselves to the sector. You will see your ARA increase its brand awareness and you will see other symbols of change.
The primary aim of the ARA is to serve you. We take this responsibility seriously and we will work towards maintaining your trust and confidence. We will serve you and provide you leadership. It is a journey we embrace and we look forward to the future.
