Australia Retail Council is the new name for the country's newly merging peak retail bodies, which plan to complete their amalgamation by the end of the 2025 financial year.

Announced in September, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) are planning to merge into a new entity, the Australian Retail Council (ARC), subject to ratification by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). The move has seen ARA's longstanding chief, Paul Zahra, step down from the post. The two associations are now jointly recruiting a CEO to lead the new-look organisation, with an announcement expected later this year.

A transitional board, comprising equal representation from ARA and NRA, will manage the transition period. Both associations will seek member endorsement for the new entity at their respective Annual General Meetings, with a formal vote in 2025.

ARA President Nicole Sheffield said the amalgamation will deliver additional benefits to retailers, including a stronger unified voice for the industry, greater advocacy for retailers of all sizes, and the combined services of the ARA and NRA.

“With the combined strength of both retail bodies, the Australian Retail Council will offer a one-stop shop for Australian retailers, delivering a stronger unified voice for the industry, greater advocacy for retailers of all sizes, and the combined services of the ARA and the NRA. It makes absolute sense to create one retail voice and to combine our strengths to support the growth of this vital sector which employs one in ten Australians and generates $430 billion annually,” Sheffield said.

“This outcome will strengthen our advocacy and advice to government around the country. The ARA and NRA have already unified on key issues including retail crime, election priorities and workplace relations."

NRA Chair Tim Schaafsma said the merger is a way to elevate the impact of the retail sector to the benefit of all Australians.

“Retail contributes enormously to our country’s economic success and social wellbeing, and a strong retail sector is in the interests of all Australians. Our two organisations are aligned in focus, and we come together in the spirit of doing what’s in the best interests of our retail community. There’s great strength in numbers and we are confident our members and the sector as a whole will appreciate and embrace this progression towards a unified voice for retail,” Schaafsma stated.

The ARA and NRA have proposed that member pricing will be grandfathered for existing members until January 2026.