Rivers Sold To Specialty Fashion Group

Iconic Australian apparel brand, Rivers, has been sold to the Specialty Fashion Group (Millers, Katies etc.) for $5 million.

 The acquisition of 160 Rivers stores will give the Specialty Group a foothold into value footwear and men’s and children’s clothing. The company’s research showed that 50% of men’s clothing purchases are made by women and Rivers is the favourite footwear brand of Millers customers.

Update On CBA Mobile EFTPOS Facilities - Union Pay and Paywave.

We posted last week about the significance of Union Pay card facilities for our Chinese tourists at the market - http://www.victraders.com/2013/11/important-card-facility-for-market.html We understand that both CBA and NBA are contemplating Union Pay facilities for their merchants.

The Commonwealth Bank advised us today that software upgrades allowing the acceptance of Union Pay Credit cards were being gradually introduced across the system with completion expected by early next year.

The updates are being introduced in batches and unfortunately there is no way of jumping the queue even for premier tourist spots like QVM.  With over 100,000 Chinese tourists visiting our market every year we are certainly a significant destination for potential Union Pay users.

PAYWAVE – on a separate issue we can advise that CBA will upgrade mobile EFTPOS terminals to PAYWAVE for a fee of $59. Simply ring the CBA EFTPOS Help Desk on 1800 022 966.

 Have Your Say – click here.

Nick Auden Passes Away

Nick Auden, Son of QVM Traders Peter & Kay Auden, passed away over the weekend after a high profile battle with melanoma.

Nick was the subject of the extraordinary "Save Locky's Dad" campaign to give cancer sufferers access to trial drugs and was supported by a wide range of business people, celebrities and organisations.

Our sincere condolences to the whole Auden family. A sad time for the market community.

Have Your Say - click here.

COMMENTS:
25/11/2013 14:24:41 Nick Auden "So sad, condolences to the Auden family" - Tony  
28/11/2013 16:34:01 Auden Family "Our Thoughts are with you, lots of strength! Annette Boere and family" Annette Boere

Retail News Shorts

Food Growing - in the 12 months to September Australian retail turnover grew by 2.9% while food grew by 3.75%. And that trend is a continuation of recent experience with food growing by an average of 5.3% over the last 10 years while retailing generally grew at 4.2%.

Kogan Gatecrashes Click Frenzy Event - Online retailer Kogan has been issued with a cease-and-desist letter after conducting its own Click Frenzy sale outside the official event. Kogan said that nobody should own Christmas Day, Boxing Day or Online Sales events. Kogan had shown interest in participating in last years event but were put off by the $30,000 fee.

Coles and Woolworths Code of Conduct - Coles and Woolworths are about to sign up to a voluntary code of conduct, subject to ACCC ratification. This follows complaints, particularly from smaller suppliers, that the supermarket duopoly was abusing its power. Just in case you doubt that abuse claim we note that the two supermarket giants will no longer be able to charge suppliers for goods stolen from their supermarkets........Honestly?

Have Your Say - click here.

Traders Comment on General Merchandise Shrinkage.

Traders Comment on General Merchandise Shrinkage.

 Would the trader who posted on Have Your Say on Monday 18^th (Concerned Stall Holder) please contact the Editor on 0406 222 020 to discuss how best to publicise this issue. Thanks. – Greg Smith

Latest Retail News – 24/11/2013

Latest Retail News – 24/11/2013

1. McDonalds identifies coffee as key product for global sales growth.
2. Bucking Bull carvery opens first Victorian franchised store at Craigieburn.
3. Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay remains world’s most expensive retail location.
4. Dick Smith’s plans first sharemarket offer at $2.20 per share to raise $344m.
5. McDonalds Australia launches company’s first mobile ordering app.
6. Sportsgirl upgrades online offer with better mobile access.
7. Starbucks orders first in-train store on Geneva Airport to St Gallen railway.
8. Senator calls for moratorium on fuel discount dockets until anti-competitive claims are investigated.
9. Sydney Airport looks to upgrade its retail offer with international brands.
10. Myer launches Australia’s first store app with Christmas augmentation.
11. CBA reports October retail sales up 4.1% after 1.4% decline in September.
12. Online wine retailer, Vinomofo, wins Deloitte’s award for fastest business growth.
13. Pumpkin Patch says it faces more downside risks for 2014 profit result.
14. US reports a modest 0.4% increase in October retail sales.
15. US fast fashion brand, Forever 21, to open first Australian store in Brisbane 2014.
16. UK department store stalwart, Debenhams, sets up eBay online store.

Important Card Facility For Market Traders

Two of your Trader representatives were given a heads up last week during discussions with a senior official from Tourism Victoria.

She asked if traders accepted Union Pay which is a credit card based in China. Chinese tourism to The Queen Victoria Market has apparently doubled in the last 4 years. Chinese tourists can only bring $5,000 to Australia and the rest of their needs must be accommodated through Union Pay. Union Pay say their average transaction is $800 so you would need to make sure you have plenty of boomerangs in stock.

NAB and CBA can offer Union Pay facilities through their system and traders should check with their bank to ensure it is operational on their mobile terminals. In addition, it would be a good idea to arrange counter promotional material for Union Pay.

Intelligent Shopkeepers

I have just read an article about the very latest innovations in retailing including augmented reality, holographic displays, drones, robotic assistants, and something called “intelligent shelves”.

Now I am going to be a bit of a smart-ass here, but “intelligent shelves” are described as camera-ready shelves that will “read” our profile (making judgments about features, sex and ethnicity), serve up suggestions, and change detail provided about the product to suit. Apparently this new system is being tested in Singapore this month. But isn’t that what shop owners and their assistants have been doing for centuries? Don’t we “read” our customers by looking at them and then conversing with them to find out their needs?

As we have printed on this website many times – our single biggest advantage as market traders is that we can personally relate to our customers in a face to face exchange that not only works better than technological guesses but helps make shopping a pleasant experience.

Give me intelligent shopkeepers anytime.

Have Your Say – click here.

Is An Underground Carpark The Best Option?

Of all the issues surrounding QVM renewal the car park is probably receiving the most discussion and with good reason.

The car park is a very important ingredient of market business, particularly for the food traders. Take away a car park for even a few days and those customers who bring their cars to do their week’s shopping will find alternative places to shop, perhaps permanently.

So why is an underground carpark being considered? Well, part of the current car park is required for an apartment development (which will help finance renewal) and a new road linking Franklin St. with Dudley St. It is partly a space problem. According to our Lord Mayor a car park cannot be built over the current car park because there are graves underneath. That doesn’t leave much alternative space except perhaps for the southern end of the market where apartment towers are being proposed or perhaps by acquiring nearby properties. It is also partly aesthetics. There are some who want a green parkland next to the sheds rather than a car park.

So what are the problems with going underground? Two possible locations for an underground car park are under A, B, and C sheds or under J, K, and L sheds. Firstly the cost is huge. One estimate put a figure of $80 million on such a project. Secondly, building an underground car park is incredibly disruptive. Basically, if overseas markets are a guide, you remove the sheds on top, scoop out the area required, build your car park and facilities, put a floor back over the top of the car park, and re-install the sheds. That is a long, disruptive process.

What are the alternatives? Well, you could build an off-site, but adjacent car park – perhaps even at the bottom of the new apartment towers proposed for the southern end of the market. Secondly, you could build over part of the current car park using shallow footings but go multi-level and still leave space for a green area. Thirdly, if the proposed roadway across the current car park is going to take away too much space then you could put that road underground, and make it deep underground away from possible gravesites.

Are these alternatives feasible? We don’t know. We are not city planners or engineers, but we do know when projects have great potential for harming our businesses. At a recent meeting of 24 traders, participants were asked if they felt an underground car park was a good idea. Around 20 said “N0!”. Recent comments on web forums suggest that many customers would find dingy underground car parks a real turn-off.

We would really love to hear counter arguments from the planners who believe an underground car park is the preferred option.

Have Your Say – click here.

Sounds of the Market - Barmy Kangaroo

You may have to be a bit of a cricket fan to appreciate this little clip but Guru Pete's version of a Barmy Army cricket fan song has a real Aussie flavour to it. This is early Saturday morning while Pete is doing the rounds handing out rubbish bags plus a dose of his usual cheeky humour. Not sure what the British fans would think.



COMMENTS:
30/11/2013 07:38:56 Barmy Kangaroo "He really does need a Tune-Up" JR Eshed

Latest Retail News – 17/11/2013

Latest Retail News – 17/11/2013

1. Australia Post franchisees launch action over low parcel handling fees.
2. Sydney Airport launches new luxury jewellery precinct.
3. Australia Post releases world first 15 second video stamp.
4. British supermarket giant, Tescos, launches entertainment areas for children while parents shop.
5. Australian Retailers Association predicts 3.3% sales growth this Christmas.
6. Myer reports flat sales in first quarter.
7. Amazon launches an Australian e-book and Kindle store.
8. Ebay launches in Indonesia.
9. Mirvac buys Sydney’s Harbourside Shopping Centre.
10. DFO Spencer St. rebranded as Spencer Outlet Centre with Harris Scarfe and Coles Supermarket.
11. Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment increasing by 1.9 per cent from 108.3 in October to 110.3% in November.
12. Australians stole more than $1.7 billion worth of goods from retailers last financial year
13. Costco to open up 15 stores in France.
14. Starbucks ordered to pay nearly $3b compensation for botched deal with Kraft Foods.
15. Marks & Spencer plans to expand its operation in India.
16. Dick Smith to list on Australian share market.
17. Petbarn to link up with 100 clinic vet business in joint retail/vet operation.
18. Luxury retailer, Nordstrom’s, third quarter sales fell by 7%.
19. Walmart’s third quarter up by 2.9% but trims yearly profit forecast.
20. ASOS launches dedicated website for Chinese market.

New Market In Queensland

The Big Top Farmers Market is expected to open in Maroochydore in late 2014 with more than 100 market stallholders.
The markets will form one component of the $20 million redevelopment of the Big Top complex in the Maroochydore CBD, which on completion in October 2014 will comprises a 10,000sqm hybrid market anchored by an existing Woolworths supermarket. The site is owned by Reed Property Group.
The founder and operator of the successful Noosa Farmer’s Market (voted best market in Australia by Trip Advisor), Shane Stanley, has been appointed operator of the new market.
“It’s going to be really exciting and we’ve now got the ability to create a proper food hub for locals and visitors. The community have to have ownership of the markets so we’ll keep it authentic to reinforce the ‘farm gate to plate’ ethos which has been the hallmark of our business,” Stanley said.

Car Park Hogs No.3

 Well, we had the Ferrari that took up two car parking spaces (thanks to Tony for the photo), the Nissan that took up 4 car parking spaces (thanks to Terry for that photo) and now the Minis that are probably the worst of all. You might think these 8 Minis are parked very neatly in their 8 car spaces but they are small enough to go side by side, two to a car space, and therefore free up another 4 spaces for our customers if they had really wanted to.Thanks to Tony Pierrakos for the photo. Over to you Terry Lawn for the next episode in our car park saga.

                                        

More Public Comments On Renewal

Following are some more extracts from the CoM website that invites the public to comment on QVM renewal. You can make your own comment by going to - http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/projects/queenvictoriamarket/forum_topics/what-aspects-of-the-queen-victoria-market-do-you-think-should-be-protected

Adllara 08 Nov 2013, 10:06 Pm

As a single parent with 4 kids, I go to the market to do my weekly shopping. The fear that this whole 'renewal' thing will ruin a fresh and relatively inexpensive market is worrying. All I can see is the councils desire to make it 'trendy' and what follows that is expensive. Its a food and produce market, not a trendy coffee place to relax on the weekend.

Market Trader 10 Nov 2013, 06:19 Pm

The core ingredients for successful public markets are quality, value and personal service. Value is closely related to the cost of doing business and the QVM model does allow low cost retailing (some traders may disagree). That low cost model must be retained if we are to avoid some of the disasters overseas where “gentrification” has resulted in higher retailing costs as well as a loss of “market feel”. There are aspects we can improve on. In 2013 it is difficult to understand why most traders don’t have electricity. Running water would seem to be an essential for Fruit & Vege traders but are expensive cooling facilities really necessary?
Maybe we can add another ingredient to the quality, value, personal service trio and that is convenience. Modern living does make us time poor. A key objective may be to introduce easier ways for customers to find what they want, when they want it (more flexible trading hours) and then getting it home efficiently. This applies whether you are a local, interstate or even international shopper. One of the main attractions for online shopping is the convenience factor and modern public markets need to recognise convenience as a modern essential.
There are many aspects of 20th Century markets that remain attractive today, but choosing what needs to be added for modern living, without increasing costs (and prices) is now the challenge at QVM. 

BenK 03 Nov 2013, 02:45 Pm

I agree with what most people have said so far in terms of making sure we keep the market viable as a place to do "real" shopping. One of the things that I think makes the market "real" in this sense is the variety of food you can buy. By this I don't just mean different cheeses or different meats, but also the different varieties of the same foods. If you want to the crispest of tomatoes for a salad, you can buy those at the market. But if you want some over-ripe tomatoes for a tomato sauce you can buy those too. I would hate for the market to lose this "realness" and become only a seller of "premium" foods.
I can see where Market Trader is coming from in terms of the need for car spaces, but I don't really agree with her/him. As a resident of the municipality I would like to see the Council do everything it can to encourage people to use public transport in order to reduce congestion and pollution within the municipality. There are four tram routes that go past the market and two nearby train stations, and anything you can fit into a market trolley you can take with you on the tram or train. Anyway, road congestion is only going to get worse as the city's population increases, so it may not be sustainable to rely on car traffic for the market's future viability.
As others have said, some later trading hours would be good.
Also, like others making comments, I think that the non-food section of the market needs looking at. As has been said, more variety would be good. I'd like to see some space given over to stalls for makers of quality designer crafts/clothes. There's a bit of a trend for pop-up shops these days and maybe the market can tap into this by having cheap, flexible space available for young crafty types to take a low-risk punt on setting up shop.
Lastly, I agree with kellyhertzog that the market revamp would be a great opportunity to green up the market, both in terms of having more green space and incorporating environmentally friendly infrastructure/programs. 

Miriam Faine 12 Nov 2013, 10:28 Pm

My family's weekly trip to the market contributes to our amenity in many ways as it does for other Melbournians and I am concerned that to date we customers have had no input into the plans for the market's future.
A really important thing about the market is that it is a profoundly democratic space, one of the declining number of public spaces where a whole range of very different people can not only mingle, but share a common purpose.
If the market is deteriorating, it is because its management has no understanding of or sympathy for what is the essence of a market - competition (low prices), choice and freshness. Since ?early 2000s food traders were permitted to purchase and trade licences. This has led to some traders buying out others, thus reducing competition and leading to price fixing across the market. Because fresh produce traders now own more than one stall, they operate on a large scale. Hence the pressure to install freezers and cool stores, increase trading days etc. Basically this will turn the market into a supermarket with little choice of vendor, food being stored on site and consequence loss of freshness (which the reason the market traditionally only operated some days).
All proposed changes will cost a fortune, so the trade off is to develop part of the market site for high rise and put the parking underground. But the current car park is sacred ground (over Melbourne's earliest cemetery) plus there are ideas for a grand plaza. So the plaza goes on the carpark, other land is promised to developers, and what is left of the market is 'upgraded' - reduced, refurbished and wrecked as a functioning food market. Mr Doyle thinks a 'win win' but I think a sad thing for the popular culture and heritage of Melbourne.

Andrew In NM 15 Nov 2013, 10:31 Pm

Please do not forget the customers. As can be seen from the majority of comments here, it is the customers who sustain the market. We do not want the interests of the more wealthy food traders to obtain a monopoly or even a larger share of the market than they already have. If that is allowed to happen we can all throw away our trolleys and go to the supermarkets because that will be all that's left.
If we continue to play to the markets strengths (which are many and varied) it will succeed. It is unique, for it's locale, size, history and culture. Ensuring that it maintains and enhances these things is not difficult if our motives are transparent. I think some basic things would grow the patronage. Namely some more seating areas and more scope for art and music and perhaps this would encourage more people to eat at the market as well.
Increasing numbers will live near the market and if it caters to them it will thrive.

Lapchick 16 Nov 2013, 08:11 Am

Please do not forget the residents! Please clean the streets surrounding the market area, in particular, Cobden and O'Connell Streets. The market area is cleaned after the market finishes, however a vast amount of rubbish, boxes and general waste is strewn in our streets and is left in place for the weekend. Victoria St, close to the market area, is also a huge mess during the weekend. Our visitors could easily mistake the area for downtown Calcutta on market days and indeed on other days. The cleaning companies should extend their area of operations. Please think of the residents and also of the impression the litter makes on tourists of all description. It is not just the market that needs cleaning, it is our adjacent streets.

Retail Competition Now Comes From Many Directions

If your competitor at the market introduces a new feature that is likely to pinch your customers you do something about it, right?

Let's say you sell sports shoes and your competitor down the aisle has introduced a new fluoro orange style that is coming past your stall in shopping bags at an increasingly alarming rate. You make sure your next delivery has stock of orange fluoros so you can get a piece of the action.

What if your competitor is offering door to door delivery, or alternative payment methods, or after hours ordering? And I can tell you, they are. These are not necessarily your competitors down the aisle, but your competitors in the wider shopping environment - the worldwide shopping centre.

It would be nice if shopping only took place in our little cocoon at The Queen Victoria Market. We could keep track of what our competitors are doing and adjust our offer to maximise sales. But, thanks to the digital mobile age, there is no cocoon. Shoppers have access to all our competition all of the time. How often do you see customers wandering around with a mobile phone in their hand? Many are using mobiles to check what is available from our competitors. For those customers it is all part of the adventure.

The good news is that we can also offer things like door to door delivery, alternative payment methods, and after hours ordering. We can also check what our worldwide competitors are doing and adjust our offer to suit. We can be competitive in the worldwide shopping centre by using our low overhead retailing model and our flexibility to trump the other competitors out there.

A trader once said to me - "If you forget about the competition and just concentrate on giving your customer the best possible service, you will probably achieve the same result." The trader was right, but today's "best possible service" is more than just standing at your stall with a friendly smile. We need to show excellence in a whole range of retailing imperatives to be truly competitive.

Have Your Say - click here.

Traders Become Video Stars

The City of Melbourne has sponsored a video about QVM and its upcoming renewal. Included in the video were extracts of interviews with various traders. Ben, Luke, Herman, Greg, Betty and Mino should all check it out.

Actually all traders and friends of the market should watch the video. It is definitely has a PR function but understanding some of the broad proposals made by politicians and senior executives will be useful as we move forward with the renewal. There is a significant emphasis on social engagement and entertainment at QVM which is fine as long as we don’t lose sight of our core purpose – a place for retail business.

Have Your Say – click here tocomment on this website OR click here to go to the CoM website and leave a public comment.  

Editorial - Making Mistakes At QVM

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" says a famous adage and making mistakes is an accepted part of any worthwhile undertaking. We shouldn't expect to get everything right first time, particularly when breaking new ground, like in a major renewal project.

Creating an environment in which traders are encouraged to make worthwhile contributions is a major emphasis for this renewal campaign. Consultation and engagement opportunities have never been more prolific for traders. Perhaps the biggest mistake we can make is seeing opportunities for improvement but doing nothing about them. Passive mistakes are worse than active mistakes. Active mistakes can be corrected. Passive mistakes just slip into the depths to later re-surface and inhibit progress.

Thorough analysis of new ideas is an essential part of any major project and criticism is inevitable. But offering criticism without offering positive solutions, or at least contributing to the discussion, is cheap. Let's be honest, we have plenty of traders who are willing to criticise or denigrate efforts at improvement. The real challenge is to make contributions and offer solutions. Not throw away lines like "Just bring back the customers we used to have" but a real assessment of the incredible changes in retailing and how a public retail market might prosper in the future.

Will there be mistakes? Of course there will. But this is a great opportunity to influence our future and correct any mistakes we might make along the way.

"People who don't take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year." - Peter Drucker

Have Your Say - click here.

Trader News - Renewal Process Starts Quickly

Pop-up consultation posts have been in operation around the market over this past week as a specialist consulting group hits the ground running to capitalise on last week’s media coverage.

The first of 3 special Trader engagement meetings took place on Thursday afternoon at the Multi-cultural centre in Elizabeth St. directly across from the old market office. These meetings will involve up to 20 invited traders who are split into groups to discuss various aspects of the market including “What do traders love about the market?” “What needs to be retained, and what needs to change?” and “What opportunities exist for the future?”.

This first session involved Deli Hall and Shop traders and produced some very creative thinking. Traders seemed to enjoy the opportunity to talk in more positive terms about the market and what it means to traders and customers. The second meeting on Tuesday 12th November will involve Meat & Fish and Fruit & Vege traders. General Merchandise traders will hold their consultation session on Tuesday 19th. November.

Have Your Say - click here.

Latest Retail News – 10/11/2013

Latest Retail News – 10/11/2013

1. UK’s Marks & Spencer and toy icon Hamley’s eyeing off retail opportunities in Australia.
2. National Shop Small campaign launched by American Express.
3. Aeon expands virtual stores on Hong Kong subways.
4. Retailers Associations and Federal Government work to address competition issues in supermarket retailing.
5. ABS says retail turnover in September up 2.9% over previous year.
6. Billabong sells its 92 store Canadian chain, West 49, to US competitor.
7. Ibisworld says online perfume and cosmetics sales growing strongly.
8. Sydney based macaroon maker, Mak-Mak, opens second store.
9. Hermes opens new watch boutique in Shanghai.
10. Freedom launches new merchandising approach based on rooms rather than products.
11. Tesco to introduce face-scanning into stores, targeting offer to gender and age.
12. Coles to link up with 26,000 recipes on major recipe site, Taste.com.au
13. Reserve Bank leaves cash rate unchanged.
14. ASIC launches new hub for small business legal advice.
15. Starbucks opens trendy tearoom concept in New York.
16. Original owner of Bras’n’Things buys back 50% share.
17. Former boss of ACCC says government should sell Australia Post.
18. Singles Day, a pop culture bachelor-life celebration in China to become major retail buying event. – 11th November.

Is Retail Dying?

Michael Pascoe wrote an article in The Sydney Morning Herald this week (http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/retail-sales-not-the-guide-they-used-to-be-20131104-2wwf4.html) which identified why retail sales figures are no longer a good guide to Australian consumer spending. And the reason is quite frightening.

Retail sales used to represent 55-60% of household consumption expenditure. Now it is only around 30% as Australians spend more of their income on services. In 1960, food, clothing, furnishings and household equipment represented 38% of household consumption. Now they make up 18%. And food hasn’t escaped the decline. Food represented 18% of expenditure in 1960 and now it is 10%. So what is taking all our money? Rent, education, communication (mobiles), recreational and cultural services took 10% of our spending in 1960, but now it is 18%. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is actually thinking about re-classifying energy expenditure as retail which will adjust the balance but that is just playing with figures.

The point is that Australians are forced to spend more on things like energy and choosing to spend on lots of other things as well. All this results in a change in buying patterns. Holidays, cars, mobiles, energy and rent/mortgages are taking a larger slice of the pie. It would seem that this is part of a trend that started slowly many years ago and then a little thing called the GFC created a huge acceleration which clarified the change in consumer buying patterns.

We have some traders at QVM who have responded well to the new trends. Those who set up phone accessory stalls are taking advantage of the huge spend on mobiles. Maybe there are trading opportunities in products related to the holiday industry or energy saving. In the meantime traders are competing with every other retailer in the industry and we can do something about that by adopting a standard of excellence that makes us more attractive to customers. But what about the new choices that customers have embraced outside traditional retailing. Will the tide turn back to buying “things” rather than services? Who knows? I sell model ships and boats at the QVM. Can I convince my customer to buy a model yacht instead of taking an overseas trip? Unlikely. Should I be selling yacht cruises up in the Whitsundays? Maybe.

So much to think about. Maybe I’ll just take a holiday - for business purposes of course.

Have Your Say - click here.

Father and Son Duo Take On British Post

It is not often that a press release is made by a market trader. This came out on Wednesday 7th November.

'Victoria market stall holders, Danny and Ariel Lewin, have decided to strike a blow for the little guy in the international postage war and offer free delivery anywhere in the world until Christmas.

“Australian small business is really hurting from the British Australia Post deal,” said Ariel Lewin, “and this is hurting Australian manufacturers, retailers and wool growers. We decided to cop a bit of a hit on our profits and take the fight right to them.”

Ariel is the younger Lewin in this father-son business that has operated out of Melbourne’s Victoria Markets for thirty years.

He said that many Australians send quality Australian knitwear overseas for Christmas but the postage rates from Australia are high by international standards and this is hurting business.

He has built up the online side of the business over the last year and is shocked by the low postage imports flooding the market. “They pay no freight and do not have to pay GST. How can we compete?” he asked.

Danny Lewin emigrated from Argentina over thirty years ago and has built a business selling Australian wool and possum fur products to a local and international audience.

“International visitors come to the market looking for something uniquely Australian and these merino and possum products provide a high quality, good looking export, that they are proud to take home,” Danny Lewin said.

For more information about Danny’s Knitwear, this special offer or to arrange interviews with Ariel Lewin, please contact Geoff Ebbs at the Ebono Institute on 07 3103 3938 or geoff.ebbs@ebono.com.au'

Market Storage Box With Style

Well actually its just a coat of paint but we think this could be a prototype for a more stylish appearance for our humble storage boxes. Our traditional zinc finish storage boxes have been around for a long, long time but in the push to upgrade the appearance of our stalls, they are starting to look outdated. In fact many consider that the storage boxes diminish the attractiveness of our stalls and it is time to do something about their appearance.

We suspect this is a prototype and it certainly looks OK although the paint is not exactly high tech and on this box was already showing some wear and tear. There are a few boxes in the market that have received the paint treatment and in general the result is a significant improvement. Some boxes have been painted inside, as well as outside. Improving the inside appearance allows the box to be used for displaying stock and offers a number of advantages for stall holders. We will look for further developments with interest.

Have Your Say - click here

COMMENTS:
08/11/2013 23:13:52 boxes "Perhaps encourage stall holders to paint like the  famous Brighton beach boxes."

More Public Comments On Renewal

CoM Website - Vicy 07 Nov 2013, 02:37 Pm

"Would like to see the following added to the Queen Vic market: 
Currency exchange booth with adjacent ATM's in the middle of the general merchandise section (possibly between D and E shed). 
More tables and chairs, all-weather umbrellas, trees and plants in containers in the alleyway beside the delicatessen arcade. Perhaps the fishmongers could be encouraged to sell oysters and prawns to be eaten under these umbrellas- as happens at Sydney's fish market. Have the this alleyway regularly cleared of crockery, rubbish etc. as is done in the food court. This eating area is crying out for a make-over. 
Add at least one upmarket, quality Australian souvenir stall. There are many visitors to the Queen Vic who do not want to buy cheap "made in China" souvenirs. 
Bring back the hire trolleys for shoppers use. 
Extend the trading hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays - many overseas visitors are disappointed the market closes so early. 
Melbourne Visitor shuttle bus deserves a better signed posted and more central stop at the market."

Light FM 6/11/2013

“Ken is a bit disappointed that they are making changes to the Queen Victoria Market. The $250 million revamp will see it with a new parkland and underground car park, and will create tens of thousands of jobs, but just as it is, the market is wonderful. The diversity is amazing: hoodies, shoes, sweat shirts in one aisle – shoes, sweat shirts, hoodies in the next!!”

Gram – Melbourne Food Culture Compiled – 6/11/2013

Mila Giganti, November 6, 2013:

“Yes, Great idea provided they keep the ambiance ….and NOT to be transformed into another “shopping venue” : it is UNIQUE and has SO MUCH CHARACTER….: the people, the products and all: A MUST VISIT FOR TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS OF MELBOURNE ALIKE. Viva the Queen Victoria Market!”

Have Your Say - click here

The Essence of Market Merchandising

David O'Niel is a guru of public retail markets in the US and contained in his "Power of 10" analysis is a statement that effective stall appearance has 3 essential characteristics -

                                    SIMPLE - ABUNDANT - ARTISTIC

While you assess how your stall display meets this criteria here are some examples.

                                

  

New CEO Appointed At QVM

Jan Cochrane-Harry has been appointed as QVM's new CEO.

Jan joined the market in August this year as a 'communication review' consultant and has worked closely with QVM Trader Representatives, groups of traders, and individual traders in the ensuing period.

In her formal introduction to traders back in September Jan said "My aim is to get in place strong and productive relationships and communications between staff and traders so that together we can strengthen the success of the market for all." Now that Jan has been appointed into a key senior role she will get the opportunity to achieve that aim. Needless to say, we wish her every success.

More Comments On QVM Renewal

The City of Melbourne website is generating more input from people interested in the QVM renewal project. Here are some recent comments - 

Dandeegirl 04 Nov 2013, 10:23 Pm

I agree that the market should be more sustainable. There is a large roof area to harness both solar power and for water catchment. The idea of a park area within the market is great, a place people can have some time out from their busy day. The redevelopment is likely to be very disruptive (as was the recent redevelopment at dandenong) and so thorough consultation with existing traders is imperative. When I shop I like to go directly to what I need so I like the idea of like stalls being co-located, which should also increase competition amongst the stall holders. Finally, bring back the food vans. There are simply not enough for the size of this market and they are a feature of our traditional markets. Shops just don't work as well in the market environment. Food van areas at either end of the market would be ideal. And with a revamp, communal waste facilities can be installed to satisfy health requirements and waste water regulations. A trolley system would also be good; nothing as large as a supermarket trolley though. People buy more when it is easier to carry. I do believe car parking is essential. I would not want to have to carry heavy bags on a crowded tram (though I am in the outer se suburbs so wouldn't contemplate public transport for such a trip anyway).

   

Akovacs 04 Nov 2013, 03:17 Pm

A few years ago the Market tested and put on a few solar panels. With the dramatic reduction in solar panel cost since then the market should be a symbol of sustainability for the future & a profitable one at that. The design should incorporate a large photo voltaic array and aim to meet a large proportion of the facilities energy consumption. I look forward to seeing designs for the projects are there any concept plans available to the public? A focus on reusing the water which falls on the site would be an excellent design feature also.

   

BenK 03 Nov 2013, 02:45 Pm

I agree with what most people have said so far in terms of making sure we keep the market viable as a place to do "real" shopping. One of the things that I think makes the market "real" in this sense is the variety of food you can buy. By this I don't just mean different cheeses or different meats, but also the different varieties of the same foods. If you want to the crispest of tomatoes for a salad, you can buy those at the market. But if you want some over-ripe tomatoes for a tomato sauce you can buy those too. I would hate for the market to lose this "realness" and become only a seller of "premium" foods.

I can see where Market Trader is coming from in terms of the need for car spaces, but I don't really agree with her/him. As a resident of the municipality I would like to see the Council do everything it can to encourage people to use public transport in order to reduce congestion and pollution within the municipality. There are four tram routes that go past the market and two nearby train stations, and anything you can fit into a market trolley you can take with you on the tram or train. Anyway, road congestion is only going to get worse as the city's population increases, so it may not be sustainable to rely on car traffic for the market's future viability.

As others have said, some later trading hours would be good.

Also, like others making comments, I think that the non-food section of the market needs looking at. As has been said, more variety would be good. I'd like to see some space given over to stalls for makers of quality designer crafts/clothes. There's a bit of a trend for pop-up shops these days and maybe the market can tap into this by having cheap, flexible space available for young crafty types to take a low-risk punt on setting up shop.

Lastly, I agree with kellyhertzog that the market revamp would be a great opportunity to green up the market, both in terms of having more green space and incorporating environmentally friendly infrastructure/programs. 

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