Retail NZ subscription rates are changing

A message from the Chief Executive

The team at Retail NZ is working really hard to deliver good outcomes for all our members. I’m really proud of the work we have achieved for you over the last couple of years.

Retail NZ is a not-for-profit membership association, and we have a small team working hard for you. COVID-19 has stretched our advocacy and advice activity to its limits: I have been speaking up in the media on behalf of our members more than 1,800 times in the past two years; and the team has helped members with more than 5,000 pieces of HR, business, and COVID-19 advice. Without an organisation like Retail NZ, our sector’s voice would not have been heard as the nation has battled the impacts of COVID-19.

Highlights for me have included:

The Parent-Teacher Leave Bill: convincing the Government to ditch its bill that would have forced employers to pay for additional leave for parents to attend parent-teacher interviews.
Payments: Achieving success in our campaign on payment fees, with the Government introducing legislation to regulate credit and debit card interchange fees. This will see payment fees come down.
Rent Relief: Convincing the Government to introduce rent relief legislation to support retailers.
Financial Support: Having the Government listen to the need for COVID-19 financial support, which has helped keep many of our members afloat through incredibly difficult times over the last couple of years.
Vaccinations: We have influenced the shape of the Traffic Light system, and minimised compliance requirements for retailers.
Retail crime: We have convinced the Police to set up a new National Retail Investigation Support Unit to manage the worst retail offending, and we are working closely with Police on implementation issues.
#ShopNice: We held a Summit at Parliament to draw attention to issues around anti-social and violent behaviour in-store, and have launched a public-facing #ShopNice campaign to encourage Kiwis to respect retail workers.
Sustainability: We have held two Sustainability Forums which have created great opportunities for members to share knowledge and hear from international experts.
www.retail.kiwi: We launched our new website just over a year ago, as the hub for retail in New Zealand; and you can now access resources and information via your personalised member portal.
How-To Retail: Our video series of retailers sharing their knowledge and expertise has been very well received by members of the retail community.

As we look ahead to this year, we have a significant volume of activity planned. Retail NZ is planning to:

campaign against the Government’s plans to drive massive increases in your wage bill through the so-called “Fair Pay” system of award bargaining;
lead a programme to encourage to recognise and celebrate retail as a career, helping to ensure a pipeline of talent for your business;
deliver a series of regional events around the country;
hold a Small Retailer Forum to discuss policy issues;
organise a further Sustainability Forum;
keep shaping the best outcomes for retail through the pandemic.

What is changing?

Our subscription rates have not increased in nearly 10 years and, in common with other businesses, Retail NZ is facing significant cost pressures.

In order to deliver ongoing services, the Board has made the decision to increase subscription rates by five per cent, with effect from 1 April 2022. For the majority of our members, this represents an increase of around 50 cents a week, but will make a big difference to our ability to operate next financial year.

I believe that our subscription rates still represent astonishingly good value for money, with regular news, insght and updates, access to our free Advice Service, more than 80 free resources available through our website; discounted merchant fees and lots of other member benefits.

Membership Levels – are based on annual turnover of your business.	Current Price (until 31 March 2022)	New Price (from 1 April 2022)
If your business turnover is less than $500,000 annually	$405.00	$425.00
If your business turnover is $500k – $1m annually	$600.00	$630.00
If your business turnover is $1m – $1.5m annually	$790.00	$830.00
If your business turnover is $1.5m – $2m annually	$1,100.00	$1,155.00
If your business turnover is $2m – $4m annually	$1,655.00	$1,738.00
If your business turnover is $4m – $10m annually	$1,970.00	$2,069.00

All membership subscription rates are exclusive of GST.

Membership Levels – are based on annual turnover of your business.	Current Price (until 31 March 2022)	New Price (from 1 April 2022)
If your business turnover is less than $500,000 annually	$38.00	$40.00
If your business turnover is $500k – $1m annually	$56.00	$59.00
If your business turnover is $1m – $1.5m annually	$73.50	$77.00
If your business turnover is $1.5m – $2m annually	$111.00	$117.00
If your business turnover is $2m – $4m annually	$154.50	$162.00
If your business turnover is $4m – $10m annually	$183.73	$193.00

All membership subscription rates are exclusive of GST.

When does this change happen and what do I need to do?

If you pay your Retail NZ membership annually this change will take effect on your first anniversary from 1 April 2022, and will be reflected on your next invoice.

If you pay for Retail NZ membership monthly via direct debit, this change will happen automatically from 1 April 2022.

If you have set up a recurring automatic payment, please update this from 1 April 2022.

If you would like to move to monthly payments, please let us know.

What if my business can’t afford the increase?

I appreciate that news of a price increase is never welcome, and that these are difficult times for many members. You may prefer to pay monthly; or, if your business is struggling and you are genuinely unable to pay the increased cost, please let us know and we will do our best to assist.

For a limited time, when you refer Retail NZ to your friends, and they sign up for an annual subscription, you get $50 off your membership, per friend*. Learn more about Refer a Friend and how you can save up to $150* off your membership.

Thank you for your ongoing support and if you have any questions of concerns, please do let me know.