NORA, Australia’s leading body for new retail, has created special Chapters to focus on different areas of the industry, aiming to give more attention to specific industry issues, through advocacy, ambassadorship and thought leadership.
NORA CEO Paul Greenberg says Chapters will be able to campaign for specific causes, while staying under the “broad church” of NORA.
“It’s a very exciting time for Australian new retail, with plenty of growth opportunities but the pace of change has created a need for a more dedicated focus on certain sectors of the industry. By setting up NORA Chapters, groups of passionate professionals can play a much more effective role in raising issues specific to a sector,” Mr Greenberg said.
Chapters will include areas such as supply chain and logistics, payments, marketplaces, security, digital marketing and customer service.
The supply chain and logistics Chapter is the first to have been appointed, with Luke Condon from Toll Holdings acting as the inaugural chapter head. Other members include Luke Condon, head of consumer delivery, Toll Holdings; Geoff Rowan, director, SEKO Omni-Channel Logistics; Jo Cope, director operations, ParcelPoint; Anna Forster, GM supply chain, AussieCommerce Group; Matt Vercoe, executive manager, Paperless Warehousing and Sagi Simchon, MD ADSone.
Mr Condon said: “The retail industry has seen explosive growth in multiple different directions over the course of the last five years. These new channels provide their own individual challenges and along with changes in human consumption reinforces the reliance on connected supply chain solutions.
“Over the course of the coming months, the NORA Supply Chain and Logistics chapter will look to engage with thought leaders in the space in order to keep our members and the industry informed as well as provide a sounding board on how to address new market opportunities as they arise.”
Chapter members are volunteers and not statutory directors of NORA, and there will be regular rotation to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Mr Greenberg said the concept of introducing Chapters has been part of the conversation from the inception of NORA.
“NORA is built on the three pillars of New Retail – technology led, customer centric and borderless retail. Chapters will be able to give more attention to some of the pressing causes facing the industry,” said