The Government has asked the Commission to undertake an inquiry into the
implications of globalisation for the retail industry and the appropriateness of
current policy settings in this environment. More specifically, the Commission is to
examine:
 the current structure, performance and efficiency of the retail industry and
impediments to its contribution to the Australian economy
 the drivers of structural change in the retail industry, including globalisation,
increasing household and business access to the digital economy, cost structures
of the domestic retail industry, employment structure, the exchange rate and
structural change driven by the resources boom
 the broader issues which are contributing to an increase in online purchasing by
Australian consumers and the role of online purchasing in providing consumers
with greater choice, access and convenience