VCAT Rejects
Complaint About Developer Plans To Reduce Car Parking At Preston Market –
“Where the resident objectors, Council
and/or Dr Stanley urged us to find that the reduction of 99 publicly accessible
on-site car parking spaces would automatically detract from the operation of
the existing market, we regard this as an overly speculative and simplistic assertion.
In such an exceptionally public transport-rich location, we see real weight to
the Applicant’s submission that patrons of the market should be capable of
gradually transitioning to other more sustainable forms of public transport.
Whilst agreeing that some patrons may buy large quantities of food or fruit
which they wish to drive home, surely there must be a range of reasons why
patrons visit the central market area and not all of these patrons necessarily wish
to take a large load home.”
Woolworths
Sets The Pace Against Coles – Woolworths have recorded a 4.7% sales rise in
food sales in the 14 weeks leading up to 1st October while
competitor Coles 1.5% increase in food and liquor sales. Big W showed a welcome
return to sales growth with a 2.5% rise while Wesfarmers owned Target recorded
a 6.4% sales decline.
David Jones Launches
New Technology Category – David Jones
will open 8 new high-tech in-store departments featuring premium brands in
audio visual and structuring their staffing for information intensive
engagement with customers.
Myer
Launches Marketplace – Myer is to launch
an online marketplace to compete with the likes of Amazon. It will be called
Myer Market and key suppliers have already been called on board. The site will
operate separately from Myer’s conventional website and will be part of a
public publicity program in coming weeks. Vendors will be responsible for
customer service although it is likely that Myer’s current store network could
assist aspects like product returns. Myer says this is an interesting
opportunity to move into complimentary areas of retail.
Catch
Marketplace – The online market place says it is now recording sales of $1m per
week.
Myer Reveals
Sales Drop – Under intense pressure from major shareholder Solomon Lew, Myer
has revealed the extent of its sales drop at this week’s company briefing and
says sales in the 13 weeks leading up to 28th October were down an
additional 2.8% from last year. Myer has failed to achieve the goals set in its
turnaround plan 2 years ago. Myer announced that it will introduce more “pop-up”
food outlets in stores, open barber shops in Sydney and Melbourne and introduce
more hair and beauty services.
Topshop –
revives itself online.
Sportswear
Brand, Under Armour – report that their sales dropped 12.1% in North America.
Sears
Continues To Battle – US retail icon is reporting to be drastically cutting
prices as it attempts to generate cash. Sears hasn’t returned a profit since
2006 and continues to close stores. It’s substantial property holdings offer
support for recent finance borrowings.
Walmart Turns Holiday Shopping Into A
Party – what do you do when you want to generate a customer experience that
will tantalise a large percentage of the population? – you hold a party of
course. Walmart intends to launch 20,000 parties
across its stores in an attempt to attract more shoppers. At the parties,
Walmart will put on 165,000 in-store toy demos, guide customers through their
shopping lists and, organise visits from Santa Claus. It all
sound like instore promotions to me but calling it a party has merit.
Nordstrom – says that half its
business could be online within 5 years.
Amazon Australia Progress – a couple
of online players have said they will definitely be joining the Amazon
Marketplace with names like Kogan, Beacon Lighting and the local licensee for Calvin Klein, Van Heusen and Tommy
Hilfiger reported to be considering their involvement. It is unclear exactly
when Amazon will launch in Australia.
Starbucks
– sells its tea brand, Tazo, to Unilever.
No
Retail Apocalypse – A story on Forbes analyses that more retail stores are actually
opening than closing. The author says this is not retail apocalypse but simply
retail evolution. Modern technology, and things like social media, have created
a speed of change that we have not previously experienced. Consumers are so
quick to react to new trends and new attitudes that the retail industry simply
has trouble keeping up. Here is the link to the full article - https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregmaloney/2017/10/23/retail-apocalypse-yawn/#69f53c2fdf2e
No Rebound In September Sales – after a savage 0.7% fall in Australian
Retail Sales in August, many commentators had expected statistical bounce in
the following month. That didn’t happen. The full three months to September
showed a 0.3% decline. That is the first quarterly decline since 2012, and
only the fourth since the global financial crisis set in.