Fashion retailers keen to have their say on the future of the industry are invited to put pen to paper, with the Productivity Commission's inquiry into the sector now open for submissions.
Federal assistant treasurer Bill Shorten announced the Productivity Commission's investigation into the 'Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry' will welcome submissions until the week beginning May 16, 2011.
“I strongly encourage brick and mortar and online retailers, consumer groups, unions, shoppers, suppliers and other experts and stakeholders to make submissions to the inquiry,” Shorten said.
“With retail one of the largest employers in the country, and with ABS statistics showing retail turnover in Australia for the 12 months to October was $242 billion, this government recognises how important the sector is to Australia's future and wants to ensure the sector continues to flourish for the next quarter of a century.”
First announced on December 18, 2010, the Productivity Commission's retail inquiry will examine the current structure, performance and efficiency of the sector as well as the drivers of structural change in the industry.
This will include an analysis of the increasing trend to online purchasing and the sustainability and appropriateness of the current tax structure on imports, as well as other structural changes such as globalisation, changing costs structures, employment issues and the exchange rate.
On the matter of online retailing, Shorten said it was “here to stay”.
“It is something every Australian consumer and every retailer is going to have to come to grips with, and sooner rather than later,” he said.
Shorten revealed the proposed timeline for the inquiry is:
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Submissions due by week beginning May 16, 2011.
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Draft report released the week beginning 1 August, 2011.
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Submissions on the draft release due by week beginning October 1, 2011.
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Final report to government by November 2011.
Spokesperson for the Fair Imports Alliance, Brad Kitschke, said the Productivity Commission's timeline for the inquiry was “reasonable” and encouraged industry members to lodge submissions. The Fair Imports Alliance is comprised of nine retail associations including the Australian Retailers Association.
Fashion retailers keen to learn more about the inquiry or how to prepare a submission can visit: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/retail-industry