Australian Retailers Association

The mask mandate may have taken some of the edge off consumer activity in WA over the Christmas season, but retail spending to the end of 2021 appears to have remained strong.

New figures show the negative impact a series of virus lockdowns have had on both retailing and the construction industry in recent months.

New figures suggest next week's crucial economic growth figures will get a major boost from business investment and finalise a complete recovery from last year's recession.

Retail spending across Australia jumped 1.4 per cent in March, stronger than the 1 per cent increase expected by economists.

Employers would be able to offer extra shifts without penalties to part-time workers doing eight hours a day under a proposal from retailers.

WA's retail spending was up by more than 16 per cent in the year to November 2020, outperforming all other states.

Retailers, shopping centre owners and shop assistants have joined forces to sell a plan to get people back into their stores and protect everyone's health.

Industry groups have slammed the Fair Work Commission's ruling that 20-year-old retail workers should be paid adult wage rates, claiming it will destroy young Australians' job prospects.