As Woolworths Holdings (the South African owners of David Jones)
eye off the top end of the food market, Aldi make gains in the bottom end, and
the two big boys (Coles and Woolworths) fight over the middle ground we wonder
what the future holds for QVM.
More than ever QVM needs a clear direction in its food offer. How
will QVM food look in coming years, how will we address the slow creep into our
domain from a broad range of outside operators, what changes are likely to
influence our current traders, and how can they best be part of the future.
Woolworths Holdings has announced that it will look seriously at
the top end food market for its recently acquired David Jones chain and attempt
to regain the ground that DJs held maybe 10 years ago. It will also look at the possibility of a
chain of stand alone premium food outlets. David Jones food hall used to be the
Harrods of Melbourne and successful food halls around the globe indicate that
this can be fertile ground for retailers. It should be noted that many markets
are included in the list of the great food halls of the world.
Woolworths Australia meanwhile are reported to be looking at
smaller footprint stores, possibly under the "Local" brand, as they
consider a push into the pre-prepared meals market. On the subject of pre-prepared food, City Councillors have long been touting the benefits of
Melbourne CBD's extraordinary apartment growth, and the opportunities that could
provide for QVM. Many traders looking for greater numbers of traditional family weekly shoppers are not yet convinced.
QVM traders will be keen to determine their own future as QVM
embraces the largest ever renewal project in the city's history. We have a
great food offer but anything less than excellence will struggle against the
relentless competition. What we need now is leadership supported by open and
transparent dialogue between traders, QVM management, the Board and CoM. QVM's
listing in the great food halls of the world is at stake.
