Posts by theo.foukkare@bigpond.com

In response to the mounting cyber threats faced by small and medium businesses, the National Retail Association welcomes the Australian Cyber Security Strategy introduced by the Albanese Government. Under the leadership of Minister for Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, this comprehensive strategy, offers support for businesses vulnerable to cyber incidents, and is a crucial step in fortifying our national cybersecurity defences.  What is cyber security and why is it important?  Cyber Security is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. The attacks are commonly targeted at accessing, changing or destroying sensitive information. Cybercrime is on the rise in 2023, with over 25,000 calls to the Cyber Security Hotline, which is an average of 69 calls per day resulting in 15% increase from the previous financial year. Each cybercrime costs small business $40,000 on average and the number of attacks leapt 13% last year to the equivalent of…

Utilising employees on a fixed term basis is an important tool for many businesses to undertake projects, cover long-term absences, and manage their workforce. However, as of 6 December 2023, new restrictions on the operation and duration of fixed term contracts have commenced, after being introduced as part of last years’ Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth). These alterations carry profound implications for employers, including civil penalties for attempting to avoid these restrictions, so it’s important to understand them and take proactive measures to ensure your business’ compliance. So, what do employers need to know about the imminent changes? Understanding the changes The amendments provide for three new restrictions the length and use of fixed term contracts for full-time and part-time employees, unless they fall under specific exemptions. The rules are as follows: Employers will also need to provide a Fixed Term Contract Information Statement to all…

With the number of people in need growing rapidly, 7-Eleven and The Salvation Army Australia are working together to rescue food and redirect it to people in need. Since 2021, approximately $1.26 million in product has been donated from warehouse excess, event stock, coffee connection locations. In 2022, the food rescue expanded to local level food rescue through the new 7-Eleven Store to Corps program. The Store to Corps program rescues stock from individual stores and redirects it to frontline Salvation Army Corps.  Drinks, milk, treats, meals and bakery items from 16 pilot stores have been donated to Salvation Army Corps in Melbourne, Townsville, Gympie, Cairns, Nowra and Maryborough. Major Brendan Nottle, The Salvation Army Project 614 Commanding Officer and 7-Eleven Australia CEO and Managing Director celebrated the food rescue milestone and the extension of the Store to Corps program in 2024 at an event in Melbourne. According to Major…

Asda is opening its first set of new convenience stores in London this week, adding to its eight existing sites in the capital. The move comes as the grocery giant looks to almost treble its number of small stores in London before the end of March 2024. Asda confirmed it will open shops in West Ealing, Willesden and Greenford during the coming days, while a further twelve express stores will launch over the next few months, across areas including Romford and Harringay. The 15 stores on the way will be a combination of new standalone sites and through converting petrol forecourts bought from EG Group and the Co-op, The Evening Standard reports.  Asda managing director of convenience Andy Perry said: “We identified London as a focus area for our growth in convenience, not only due to the size of the population, but also because of the higher propensity of convenience store usage amongst Londoners. “In…

New Zealand has scrapped its world-leading smoking “generation ban”, which would have stopped anyone born after 2008 from ever legally buying cigarettes. The world-first legislation was introduced just last year along with several other hard-line measures that aimed to stop younger generations from taking up the unhealthy habit. Under the laws, New Zealand’s smoking age would have been steadily lowered to stop those born after 2008 from ever buying cigarettes. Tobacco products would have been removed from 90 per cent of New Zealand retailers currently selling them and the amount of nicotine allowed in cigarettes would have also been reduced. Public health modelling suggested the legislation, which was due to be implemented from July 2024, would save up to 5000 lives each year. But on Saturday, New Zealand’s new finance minister Nicola Willis announced the measures will be axed in order to fund tax cuts. Ms Willis said that the…