Retailers Association gets made over

NATIONAL: The Australian Retailers Association is undertaking a major rebranding exercise in an attempt to recapture its position as the retail sector's most prominent voice.

The process began late last year with the appointment of former federal MP Richard Evans to the post of executive director.

As part of the expansion program it has engaged the services of Phil Barresi as director workplace relations.

Under the new structure, the ARA's employment relations department will provide advice on a wide range of issues related to workplace relations such as performance management, human resources, recruitment stratgies and occupational health and safety.

In a statement released to media this morning (March 19), Evans said Barresi - who has an extensive background in human resources management and industrial relations - would head a team based in Sydney and Melbourne.

Barresi said part of his brief was to redevlop the workplace relations department's capacity and to work with the Labour Government putting forward concerns expressed by the retail industry about reform to workplace legislation and policy.

"Retail businesses don't always have the resources to employ human resources experts who are across the latest developments in all aspects related to employing staff. We will be bringing in experts to provide retailers with resources pertaining to all workplace relations issues so that the ARA becomes the premier workplace relations advisory service in the retail sector."