ARA and NRA to be united as the ARC.

 

The Fair Work Commission has approved the amalgamation of the Australian Retail Association and National Retail Association, the final step in establishing the Australian Retail Council (ARC), which will officially launch on 1 February . 

 

Chris Rodwell, currently CEO of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia (pictured), has been appointed CEO designate of the ARC. 

 

“This is a historic moment for Australian retail,” Rodwell said. “Retail is Australia’s largest private-sector employer, particularly in regional and remote areas, and requires coordinated engagement between industry and government.

 

“Our vision is clear – we want every Australian to respect and celebrate the sustaining contribution of retail to communities across our nation. And we want governments across the nation to back the retailers that back Australia,”  he said.

 

The formation of the ARC follows a decisive member vote among both organisations, with 93 per cent in favour of the merger. 

 

“The member vote sent a clear message: retailers want a unified, future-focused organisation that can deliver outcomes on issues that matter – supporting our workforce, easing cost and compliance pressures, tackling retail crime, navigating

AI and technology adoption, and ultimately driving economic growth,” he said.