ARA, QUT partner to launch consumer insights research hub

Dean Blake

2nd Mar 2021

The Australian Retailers Association has announced a strategic partnership with Queensland University of Technology to investigate and research changes in customer behaviour in the retail industry.

The deal, which will see QUT’s Professor Gary Mortimer head up the association’s new consumer research advisory committee, is seeking to understand the implications of the massive shift in consumer behaviour over the past year, following the pandemic, and provide insights and understanding to Australian retailers.

“Covid has accelerated a number of retail trends in tech development and innovation, and it’s important retailers have a deep understanding of what that means for their businesses and customers for the years and decades ahead,” ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said.

“Not only did the pandemic cause a powerful shift in the way people work and socialise, but also in the way we shop and interact with the businesses and products we want to purchase.”

The committee will also develop a consumer research and insights hub: a digital platform that will offer digestible versions of academic research, as well as thought leadership on consumer trends.

Professor Mortimer said is honored by the chance to work with the ARA on better understanding what the shift in consumer mindset will mean for Australian retailers.

“When I joined QUT ten years ago, I became acutely aware of the high-quality research we do and have made it my mission to ensure the work we do as researchers is used to inform industry,” Mortimer said.

“As the chair of the ARA consumer research advisory committee, I look forward to connecting our key researchers and our early career academics with the ARA, their members, and other industry stakeholders.”