Retail Drinks Australia will aim to deliver tailored advice to small business owners in the retail liquor industry on how to expand and improve their digital capabilities after being awarded a Government grant worth $100,000.
Retail Drinks is just one of 15 industry associations selected to provide sector-specific advice to small businesses as part of the Department of Jobs and Small Business’ Small Business Digital Champions Project.
Retail Drinks CEO Julie Ryan said that being selected to take part in the Project was an important recognition of the credibility of Retail Drinks’ service offering to small business.
“We are delighted to have been selected as a participant in the Small Business Digital Champions Project to deliver digital advice to small businesses as part of our wider strategy to improve digital capabilities across the retail liquor industry,” Ryan said.
“As is the case in many industries, small business owners in the retail liquor industry often lack the necessary time and financial resources to develop and adopt a well-formed, comprehensive digital strategy for their business.
“Leveraging its existing resources dedicated to small business, Retail Drinks will help bridge this gap for small business owners by providing them with specific, individualised advice through a series of one-on-one store visits and member briefings across metropolitan and regional Australia.”
The grant will be provided over two years to help establish a ‘Trusted Digital Adviser’ role and will enable Retail Drinks to progress its existing initiatives in the digital and online space such as the development of a Code of Conduct for online alcohol sales and deliveries.
Ryan added: “The delivery of the Project will help strengthen Retail Drinks’ credentials in the digital and online space as we look to become the go-to source of information and advice for thousands of small business owners in the retail liquor industry.
“As part of taking proactive steps in this space, Retail Drinks is currently developing a voluntary, industry-wide Code of Conduct governing the rapidly growing online alcohol sales and delivery sector in consultation with industry and government stakeholders.
“Through the development of the Code, in combination with a variety of other industry-led educational initiatives, Retail Drinks is proud to be taking a leadership role in helping small businesses not only participate but thrive in a landscape of digital change and opportunities,” she said.