The Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) has announced a 4.2% rise in the minimum wage, which will come into effect in October this year. The rise, equivalent to $21.66 per week, has been met with concern from the Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). ANRA believe it will put increasing cost pressures on retailers who are already feeling the pinch, with the ACCI adding that it is “economically risky”. “We... ...Read more »
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for stronger partnerships between Government and the food services industry to help enable consumers to make healthier choices when eating out of the home. A report published yesterday by the Cabinet Office’s Strategy Unit, ‘Food Matters - Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century’, sets out Government aims to better integrate the different elements of the food system and its impact economically, socially and environmentally;... ...Read more »
The colour, vibrancy and range of choices of a good seafood retail display are a sight to behold. Thus, whilst there can be no doubt that the numbers of independent fishmongers are declining we are fortunate in Australia that they are still a key part of the seafood industry. Reputedly, the oldest fishmonger operation in Australia is Canals Seafood, now in its 77th year of trading at the same address in Nicholson Street, North Carlton, Victoria. Michael and Delores Canals started their Melbourne... ...Read more »
Leading UK retailer Tesco has announced they will stop sourcing products from Zimbabwe until the political crisis in the country is resolved. The amount of produce Tesco sources from Zimbabwe - worth around £1 million per year - is insignificant in terms of global trade and influence, but they still feel that given the current climate they can no longer receive any food from the African country. “This is a difficult decision to take,” a statement from Tesco claimed. “We have to... ...Read more »
ABS Retail Trade figures for May 2008, released yesterday, indicated that there is still some resistance to the rising cost of living by consumers.ANRA (Australian National Retailers Association) CEO, Margy Osmond, believes the figures, while more positive than in recent months, are still worrying for some retailers. “Retail turnover has picked up, rising by 0.7 per cent in May. This is the best result by far for the year to date,” she said. “Consumer spending has been strongest... ...Read more »
NCR, a leading global technology solutions company, has today announced that prominent Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor, Retail Food Group Ltd, will deploy over 1,000 NCR RealPOS point-of-sale (POS) touch screen terminals. The high-tech terminals, which integrate NCR’s POS terminals with Task Retail Technology’s Xchangexec software suite, allow for the creation of “bounce back” vouchers by individual stores, customised in-store promotions, product ordering... ...Read more »
A dozen NSW food outlets are the first to be named and shamed on the State Government’s website for food law violations, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.The new Food Authority website provides details of the 18 breaches and fines, valued at almost $7000, imposed on the 12 food businesses by the Authority and local councils. “The Iemma Government has delivered on its promise to give consumers better access to information about the performance of food outlets,”... ...Read more »
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has supported the reforms to NSW trading hours, which are due to come into effect on July 1, but acknowledge that it may create a delicate balance for smaller retailers. Currently retail trading hours throughout NSW are regulated under the Shops and Industries Act 1962 (the Act) but the Shop Trading Bill 2008, which was passed through parliament on June 17, is set to ‘modernise’ this legislation. The Bill will de-regulate shop trading... ...Read more »
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars and SumoSalad have confirmed their reputations as retailers to watch following the NRA American Express Rewards for Excellence last night. The awards, organized by the National Retail Association (NRA), were held for the 14th time, with Crust presented with a specially created encouragement award in the Best Food Retailer category after the judges found it very hard to split Crust and SumoSalad. The competition for Best Food Retailer incorporated a strong list of... ...Read more »
In a week, New York City restaurants will finish the job of eliminating artificial trans fat from the food they serve. The final phase of the City’s trans fat regulation takes effect on July 1, requiring restaurants to clear artificial trans fat from all their menu items. When first implemented last year, the new standard applied only to fry oils and spreads. It will now cover previously excluded items such as baked goods, frozen foods, cannoli, and doughnuts as well. Only foods served in the... ...Read more »