The governance group that oversees the Casual Mall Licensing Code of Practice, which sets the rules and expectations for ‘pop-up’ shops in shopping centres, has released fact sheets related to the code written in Arabic, Hindi, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese, as part of its efforts to make the code more accessible to non-English retailers.
The Code was originally promulgated to ensure that the interests of existing tenants are protected while stimulating innovation and providing short-term business opportunities for retailers. As such, the fact sheet provides an overview of how ‘casual mall licensing’ under the Code works in practice.
“The Code operates very well and was recently reviewed and re-authorised by the ACCC for a further 10 years,” Mark Brennan, the Independent Chair of the Code Administration Committee and a former Australian and Victorian Small Business Commissioner, said. “Casual mall licensing is common in shopping centres and the existing Fact Sheet made available to tenants can be very helpful in understanding the basics of the Code. However, we are mindful that English is not the preferred language for a significant portion of the population.
“This is why we have translated the Fact Sheet into four major language groups, which will contribute to a more informed understanding of the Code by a wider range of tenants,” Brennan added.
Greg Griffith, Chief Executive Officer of the National Retail Association, hailed the initiative saying, “This is a fantastic initiative and is an important practical resource for our members and retailers. Our experience tells us that many small business owners find it more practical to access information in languages other than English.
“This is a very useful resource and by-product of our mutual interest in the continued success and application of the Code. We look forward to providing the resource to our members,” Griffith added. “ABS data shows that approximately 7.5 per cent of the population speak Arabic, Hindi, Cantonese or Mandarin, and Vietnamese at home; if these Fact Sheets can reach tenants who would prefer or benefit from the clarity provided then we will have made a positive impact on the experience of those tenants and the customers that they serve.”
Angus Nardi, Chief Executive Officer of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, said that, in providing translations of the Fact Sheet, leasing executives would be better equipped to inform tenants about how ‘pop up’ retailing works in shopping centres.
“The translated Fact Sheets will be offered by leasing teams to more reliably inform tenants about casual mall licensing,” Nardi said. “I am pleased by the collaborative efforts of the Committee and look forward to receiving feedback as to how this resource is received by its intended audience.”
