The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is strengthening its presence in the Northern Territory through a partnership with the Darwin City Retailers Association (DCRA).
This partnership is expected to deliver improved education, training and advocacy for businesses in the NT.
The DCRA has been representing retailers in Darwin for eight years. It will now have access to the ARA’s suite of member benefits. This includes training for new and existing workers through the ARA Retail Institute, support services covering insurance, leasing, HR, and research and insights through the ARA’s network of partners.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the partnership will ensure Darwin’s retailers are well supported and represented in the post-Covid recovery.
“The DCRA has done an outstanding job in uniting Darwin’s retailers under a common vision to revitalise the city and make it a more attractive place to visit and do business. However, there’s no doubt the past two years have been incredibly challenging, and with inflationary pressures impacting business costs, things aren’t getting any easier,” he says.
“Our focus through this partnership is on ensuring Darwin’s retailers have all the support they need to thrive well into the future. The ARA is the nation’s largest peak body for retail, and together with the DCRA, we’ll ensure the city’s retailers have the tools and resources they need to take their businesses to the next level.”
DCRA Outgoing General Manager Andrea Wicking says: “DCRA’s partnership and alliance with the ARA positions the city retailers and the Territory to benefit from access to the best accredited retail training resources for our members; mentoring for our committee; and the ability to be at the front of our industry with research and trends.
“This partnership allows for the sector to continue to grow and be seen as an employer of choice with the training of school leavers and the upskilling of existing workers to ensure we attract and retain a skilled workforce for the future.
“Over the past week, several stakeholder meetings have been held including with the Chamber of Commerce NT, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, the Industry, Skills Advisory Council NT, and GTNT. We are confident to have in place several pilot programs before the end of the year.”