RDG Retail News | Vol 20, No. 1 - JANUARY 2025

INDUSTRY UPDATES. EXCLUSIVE NEWS. RETAIL INSIGHTS. EVENT ALERTS. MUST-READ CONTENT.

We’re turning 20 this year!

Over the years, we've seen retail change and evolve, and are proud to have worked with our clients through these times to ensure they are Fit for Business?.

Our team have achieved some remarkable milestones and goals over the years:

• We launched Australia’s leading retail skills academy to address skill shortages and retention challenges in the retail workforce.
• Our annual Australian Retail Innovations Award, now in its sixth year, celebrates innovative and ground-breaking retailers.
• Our CEO & Founder, Brian Walker recently joined the National Retail Association board as a director and now ranks among the Top 50 global retail futurists.
• Our COO & Head of Insights, Anastasia Lloyd-wallis is Australia’s leading expert on Limbic Insights?, and is regarded as a renowned international speaker on consumer behaviour and neuroscientific retailing.
• Our group has over 750 retail brands we’ve supported.
• We’re proud of our strategic partnership with global experts Ebeltoft Group .

Built by retailers for retailers, our proven methodologies continue to guide retail businesses in achieving their goals, through our 4 core service offerings:

• Limbic Insights? - Consumer and Market Insights
• Operations - our Fit for Business? Roadmaps
• Strategy - differentiated strategic positioning
• The Retail Doctor Academy - Retail Skills Training

Welcome to 2025! How can we help you take advantage of the opportunity knocking on your door?

Vital Statistics.

AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

Monthly and quarterly estimates of turnover and volumes for retail businesses, including store and online sales.

The November 2024 seasonally adjusted estimate:

• rose 0.8% month-on-month.
• rose 3.0% compared with November 2023.

The following industries changed in trend terms in September 2024 from the previous month:

• Food retailing 0.5%
• Household goods retailing 0.6%
• Cafes restaurants and takeaway food services 1.5%
• Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing 1.6%
• Department stores 1.8%
• Other retailing 0.3%

The following states and territories changed in trend terms in September 2024:

• NSW 0.5%
• VIC 0.8%
• QLD 1.2%
• ACT 0.1%
• NT 1.6%
• TAS 0.7%
• SA 1.1%
• WA 0.7%

Event Calendar.

State of the Nation 29 CEO Breakfast Networking Event

Book your seat at retails most anticipated CEO breakfast event of the year - specifically designed for CEOs and industry leaders who seek to better navigate current market challenges.

Join Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis and Brian Walker in Sydney on 19 February 2025 for an exclusive live event. Enjoy insights from expert guest speakers, network with industry leaders, and learn from the best in Australian retail.

Complimentary breakfast and barista coffee will be served. Tickets are also complimentary (but limited), so secure your spot now!

Save the Date:

?? Wednesday, 19 February 2025

??07:30 - 09:30 AM AEDT

Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment - venue details will be emailed upon confirmation of your booking.

Don’t miss this chance to shape the future of Australian retail.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT NOW

State of the Nation 29 Business Webinar

If you’re not able to make the CEO breakfast event, you can join Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis and Brian Walker later that same week for the webinar.

Save the Date:

?? Thursday, 20 February 2025

??12:00 - 12:45 PM AEDT

ADD WEBINAR TO CALENDAR NOW

Indispensable Downloads.

Australian Retail Innovators Awards Partnership Opportunity

Position your brand as a strategic partner at Australia’s premier retail innovation awards!

The 2025 Australian Retail Innovators Awards is now open for expressions of interest from visionary retail suppliers eager to connect with the best in the industry.

Why Partner with Retail Doctor Group?

• Global Recognition: Elevate your brand through our Ebeltoft Group partnership.
• Exclusive Opportunities: Host and moderate discussions with category finalists.
• Industry Leadership: Align your brand with top retail innovators.
• Premium Visibility: Feature at our inaugural half-day conference during RetailFest 2025.
• Targeted Exposure: Connect with decision-makers across six cutting-edge award categories.

Don’t miss this chance to showcase your leadership in retail innovation!

• View previous retailer finalists and award categories here: https://retailinnovators.com.au/
• Download your copy of the Australian Retail Innovators Sponsorship Packages brochure for more details on how your business can partner with us.

Submit your expression of interest to:

Anastasia Lloyd-wallis

Chief Operating Officer

Email: [email protected]

Call: +61 2 9460 2882

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE NOW

2025 Consumer and Retail Trends Whitepaper

Economic resilience, technological advances, and shifting consumer behaviour are redefining 2025’s retail landscape, challenging traditional views on loyalty and sustainability.

Our research highlights 12 interconnected trends reshaping Australian retail, with 64% of traditional retailers recognising the need for significant business model changes.

Success lies in leveraging these trends’ synergies while staying focused on core consumer needs.

This essential playbook offers in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable strategies to navigate Australia’s evolving retail landscape in 2025 and beyond.

DOWNLOAD THE WHITEPAPER NOW

New Survey Alert: Retail’s New Growth Drivers

In partnership with Ebeltoft Group , Q&A Retail , and World Retail Congress , Retail Doctor Group are conducting global research on Retail’s New Growth Drivers.

Themes covered in this research include innovation, sustainability, AI, market development and human resources. The focus of the project is to gather global insights on the state of retail and the challenges and opportunities retail executives around the world are currently experiencing.

The report will be launched at the World Retail Congress in London (May 12th – 14th), and survey respondents will automatically receive a copy of the report.?

COMPLETE THE SURVEY NOW

Essential Content.

Stay up to date with industry, sector, and company news by following Brian Walker, Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis, and our company pages on our social channels, podcasts, and in the news.

From the Blog

AI Trends in Technology Shaping the Future of Retail by 2030

Shopping has evolved far beyond savvy merchandising and attentive service. Today’s retail landscape thrives on AI, predictive analytics, and data systems that power the seamless experiences customers now expect.

For those ready to adapt, the opportunities are limitless.

Retail Doctor Group ’s latest research delves into this technological transformation, uncovering the opportunities and challenges for Australian retailers in this dynamic era. Our featured blog highlights nine game-changing technologies reshaping retail, offering strategic insights and practical guidance for navigating this shift.

For retail leaders aiming to shape the future, these insights are your roadmap to innovation and growth.

READ THE BLOG NOW

From the Academy

Australia’s Leading Retail Skills Training Academy

The Retail Doctor Academy , Retail Doctor Group’s training division, offers tailored content for retailers focused on enhancing their team’s skills ahead of key shopping periods like Valentine’s Day and Easter.

With insightful blogs, vital industry statistics, strategic advisory services, and proprietary Limbic Insights? research, our Academy delivers thought-provoking and actionable guidance.

Our award-winning Fit for Business? training modules are designed to solve your retail training challenges. Contact our experienced team for expert advice today!

? +61 2 9460 2882

? [email protected]

?? retaildoctoracademy.com.au

FOLLOW The Retail Doctor Academy

Podcast Library

Future of Retail Podcast Series

Retail Doctor Group's Future of Retail podcast series guides retailers through the steps to improve their business fitness.

Our guest speakers provide insights and opportunities for challenging markets, with a distinct focus on technology, the Internet of Things, robotics and automation, and the impact of AI on modern Australian retail.

New Podcast Alert!

Our next podcast drops in mid-February 2025. Subscribe to our podcast channels to be alerted when each new episode is published:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify Podcasts
• Our website
• YouTube Podcasts

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW

Media Library

RDG TV on YouTube

Led by CEO Brian Walker, Retail Doctor Group is a premier retail consultancy with 20 years of experience in transforming client strategies into tangible results.

Our approach combines deep industry insights, consumer understanding, and retail excellence to drive increased profits, enhance brand presence, and foster growth for our clients.

Why work with Retail Doctor Group?

At the core of our methodology is a unique blend of market research, proprietary neuroscientific consumer Limbic Insights?, and retail operational expertise. This comprehensive approach allows us to develop well-informed strategies that resonate with both current and future customers, effectively target markets, and seamlessly deploy retail skills.

WATCH THIS ON YOUTUBE NOW

Inspire, Motivate & Inform

Learn From the Best of the Best

We understand what makes retailers and brands successful.

Our CEO and Founder, Brian Walker is among the Top 50 Global Retail Influencers, with more than 3 decades of retail expertise to inform his strategy. He is regarded as one of Australia’s top 10 retail futurists and provides audiences with insights into the Future of Retail, digital disruption, trends in retail, AI and data analytics, and so much more.

Our COO and Head of Insights, Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis is an international keynote speaker who helps her audiences understand consumer insights and behaviours. She is dedicated to cutting-edge consumer research and lends her hands-on experience to every talk, unveiling the latest research on human decision-making and how to use insights to create actionable competitive advantages.

Book your retail expert today!

? +61 2 9460 2882

? [email protected]

?? retaildoctor.com.au

VIEW OR DOWNLOAD SPEAKER PACKS

Expert Media Commentary

Featured on all major Australian TV channels, Brian Walker and Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis are regularly called on to deliver factual, insights-based commentary on what’s happening in retail!

Direct all media commentary enquiries to [email protected]

READ THE TRENDING TOPICS OUR EXPERT TEAM ARE TALKING ABOUT ON LINKEDIN

Brian Walker

Anastasia Lloyd-wallis

Retail Doctor Group

The Retail Doctor Academy

Ready to learn more?

There is nothing like hands-on experience to repair, refine, or grow your retail business to its optimal market value.

Benchmark your business today. Book a complimentary appointment and we will show you how your business can survive and thrive.

? +61 2 9460 2882

? [email protected]

?? retaildoctor.com.au

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