The Australian Retailers Association and Queensland University of Technology have partnered up, to gather deeper insights in consumer behaviour and how it affects Australia’s retail industry.
The partnership will advance new research initiatives to help retailers further understand the demands of the consumer.
Speaking on the partnership, ARA CEO Paul Zahra said that the research will help retailers better understand the shifts that have occurred in the industry over the past year.
"COVID has accelerated a number of retail trends in tech development and innovation, and it’s important retailers have a deep understanding of what that means for their businesses and customers for the years and decades ahead.
"Not only did the pandemic cause a powerful shift in the way people work and socialise – but also in the way we shop and interact with the businesses and products we want to purchase.
"In partnership with QUT, we look forward to unlocking deeper insights in consumer behaviours to ensure the retail industry is well placed to meet the challenges ahead," he said.
QUT Professor Gary Mortimer will chair the ARA's new Consumer Research Advisory Committee, and said that he is excited to explore consumer insights.
"I am incredibly honoured by this appointment and the opportunity to work with the ARA and their members.
"As the Chair of the ARA Consumer Research Advisory Committee, I look forward to connecting our key researchers and our early career academics with the ARA, their members and other industry stakeholders," he said.
Alongside its research, the Committee will also develop the ARA Consumer Research and Insights Hub – a digital platform that will contain easy-to-understand versions of academic research as well as thought leadership articles.