The Productivity Commission's inquiry into the Australian retail industry has kicked into next gear with the release of an issues paper.
The 47 page document outlines in detail the issues into which the inquiry is seeking feedback. Submissions will inform the Productivity Commission's report to the federal government on the impact of globalisation and policy on the local retail sector.
Among the questions raised in the issues paper are:
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What evidence is there Australian retail businesses are being adversely impacted by the low value importation threshold?
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To what extent does the threshold motivate Australian consumers to purchase online from overseas suppliers?
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What impediments are there to the greater use of online trading by Australian retailers?
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How significant will online trading be for the Australian retail industry in the future?
Other topics canvassed in the issues paper include the drivers of structural change within retail; planning and zoning laws and their impact on retail; retail trading hour restrictions; and retail tenancy leases.
Anyone can make a written submission to the inquiry with all submissions to be made public on the Commission's website. Twelve submissions are already available to view online here.
Fashion retailers keen to learn more about the retail inquiry or how they can prepare a submission can visit http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/retail-industry.
Initial submissions close May 20, 2011, with the Productivity Commission's report to government due in November.
The inquiry was announced in December 2010 following much debate about the impact of online retailing on Australia's struggling retail sector.