Heard Under The Sheds – 16/12/2018

One of our caricaturists was asked to redraw a work he had done some 12 months ago. It was a caricature of a couple and the original was returned with some obvious damage. It had been ripped apart, and yes the couple sheepishly admitted that had occurred during a lovers tiff. The good news is that the couple are now married and the redraw was completed with a friendly warning from the caricaturist that he didn’t expect to have the drawing returned ever again.

A trader has asked if Bangkok’s Terminal 21 shopping centre could become an inspiration for QVM. That centre is themed like an airport terminal complete with staff dressed as air hostesses, entrances designed like arrival gates, and shopping precincts dubbed New York, London, Istanbul, and so on. It is all designed to create a bit of theatre and entertainment. Perhaps QVM could have Aussie themed precincts. K Shed could become Kakadu or B Shed Barrier Reef…. just thinking out loud.

This has been suggested before, but a trader insists we need some sort of postal hub at the market where goods could be packed and despatched as part of a push for greater customer convenience.

On a similar theme, this trader says he is getting a positive response from customers by offering official Australia Post padded bags at his stall. If the customer wants the goods sent home, he asks them to address the padded bag, he seals it in front of them, and peels off the tracking number label to give the customer. He then posts the parcel the next day.

The QVM Creek only appears at rare intervals but during last Friday evenings deluge an 8ft. wide creek between J Shed and K Shed created a problem for traders particularly those unlucky enough to have their storage boxes in the way. It was either roll up your pants and wade in, or wait for the deluge to subside. Nature just takes control sometimes.

The poor level of business in the Upper Market over the weekend has some traders wondering if our calendars are mixed up – “Surely this can’t be 10 days before Christmas?” But another trader says “Check your books. Unlike food, the two weeks leading into Christmas are usually quiet in the Upper Market but we can expect a lift immediately after as people take holidays and tourists hit town.”

Did you get a hit from German tourists on Sunday? Apparently a cruise ship hit town and many passengers ventured to our market.

A Canadian tourist couldn’t believe that she had come all the way from Canada for Australia’s summer only to find an ice skating rink sponsored by Air Canada at QVM.

Storage Box squatters have been spoiling the view in String Bean Alley by indiscriminate placement of their boxes in public areas but action by QVM staff this weekend to keep things in order has earned praise from SBA traders.

A comment from one trader that the CoM endorsement of many of the People’s Panel recommendations was most welcome (see report here) although adequate customer and trader parking remains one to watch.

Have Your Say – click here.

Latest Retail News – 16/12/2018

1. RFG Chief Executive resigns after 8 months.
2. Laura Ashley goes into liquidation again.
3. Protests in France severely disrupt pre-Christmas trading.
4. Foodland No.1 for customer satisfaction.
5. The majority of Australian shoppers finished their Christmas shopping by last week.
6. Entrepreneur Naomi Simson says smaller retailers will band together against the big players in 2019.
7. Woolworths launches The Kitchen, a new concept store offering locally grown organic produce.
8. Ex Sainsbury’s boss joins M&S in turnaround move.
9. H&M launches gender-neutral fashion collection.
10. Amazon Australia set to launch new Subscribe & Save service to tackle grocery market.

Articles Worth A Read - 16/12/2018

Kohls A Winner In Retail Apocalypse - https://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Kohl-s-is-being-hailed-as-a-winner-of-the-retail-13442700.php

50 Big Ideas For 2019 - How Australia Will Change - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/50-big-ideas-2019-how-australia-change-next-year-cayla-dengate/

GM Trader Selected For QVM Committee of Trustees

GM Trader Greg Smith will join Fleur Studd, George Milonas, Carl Greco, and Rocco Tripodi as Trader Representatives on the new Queen Victoria Market Committee of Trustees.

The Committee, appointed at the 27 November 2018 Council meeting, will provide the highest source of strategic advice to Council on both the $250 million renewal program and the strategic operations of the market.

Chaired by the Lord Mayor, the Committee is comprised of 13 members, including market traders, community representatives, independent nominees and Councillors.

The members include:

Sally Capp – Lord Mayor and Committee Chair

Rohan Leppert – Councillor

Jackie Watts - Councillor

Jane Fenton – Queen Victoria Market Board Chair

Jane Hodder – Queen Victoria Market Board Deputy Chair

Carl Greco – market trader

Fleur Studd – market trader

George Milonas – market trader

Greg Smith – market trader

Rocco Tripodi – market trader

Ian Hamm – community member

Jed Macartney – community member

Vanda Fortunato – community member

The Committee will consider matters which:

•          are strategic in nature

•          have a major impact on the direction of the market, including both the renewal program or operations

•          relate to Council decision making about long term objectives of the market

•          have a material impact on trader, customer and community experience of the market precinct.

The Committee will not consider matters which are

•          commercial in confidence

•          involve legally sensitive issues

•          involve QVMPR Program or QVM routine operational decisions

•          are time sensitive and where referral will impede innovation or entrepreneurial activity 

•          involve matters pertaining to individual traders or customers

•          are matters which are fully within the remit of the QVM Board

Further details about the committee can be found here – Committee of Trustees Terms of Reference.

Have Your Say - click here

OH&S - Who Decides When Conditions Are Dangerous

A real life safety situation arose during a recent extreme weather event and a trader made a decision to close their shop, but did they do the right thing?

This occurred on a 38 degree Friday but it wasn’t the heat that was the problem, it was the wind. Forty knot northerly winds were creating havoc with a trader’s stall and the potential for injury from flying fittings and stock was very real. The trader decided the situation was unsafe and closed for the day.

A fellow trader was faced with a similar predicament and rang office staff to ask if he could close. He was told that if he did close early it would be noted against his record. His circumstances were not as dire and he decided to remain open but take extra precautions to secure stock and fittings.

So, just who should make the call here? Isn't the trader ultimately responsible if something goes wrong? Should the trader be penalised if he has made a judgement call? Should there be some discussion with management before taking action? Do we need some guidelines?

Have Your Say – click here.

Convenience Is King…or Queen

If you have watched the progress of new ways of shopping, Click’n’Collect would surely have come to your attention and there is a good reason why it might be one of those shopping innovations that sticks.

Let’s imagine a typical shopping scenario where you head off to the store to select a product. You have a fair idea of what you want but you need to find out more, do some comparisons, and generally browse the aisles for what is available. That process will take you some time, perhaps valuable business time.

But let’s say you decide to browse online the night before. You go to a website, do your research, check the options, and make a decision. Then you check the websites Click’n’Collect button with the knowledge that you simply call in at the retailer the next day, pick up your goods without delay, and the job is done.

You can see why that is becoming a popular way of shopping.  But how does that work at QVM? Does your business offer click’n’collect? Do you offer anything like that convenience? Remember that click'n'collect usually means paying in advance as well. Maybe this is a subject for your next discussion with a mentor.

Have Your Say - click here.

Stock And Fittings For Sale

Karen and Julian from Karlian Cards will cease trading in January 2019.

If you are in the market for a new product line, or display items, pleases send Karen an email - karenmanson7@gmail.com

Council Considers People's Panel Report

Trader,Steve, participating in People's Panel discussion.

The City of Melbourne considered the QVM People's Panel report at a Council meeting on Monday night and came up with the following resolution - 

Resolutions of the Future Melbourne Committee meeting held on Monday 10 December 2018

Agenda item 6.1

Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Program – People’s Panel Final Report

Resolved:

1.           That the Future Melbourne Committee:

1.1.       Receives the Queen Victoria Market People’s Panel Report and thanks all panel participants for their commitment to the process.

1.2.       Agrees with seven (7) recommendations and requests management to immediately progress, namely:

Recommendation 1	Review of Infrastructure for traders (storage and amenities)
Recommendation 2	Restore heritage fabric whilst preserving and enhancing tangible and intangible cultural heritage significance of the market
Recommendation 6	Improve infrastructure and amenities in the Food Court
Recommendation 8	Provide appropriate and planned recreational space in Queen Street between upper and lower market
Recommendation 9	Develop creative spaces throughout the market to attract and retain families and better engage customers
Recommendation 12	Weather proofing of Sheds
Recommendation 14	Southern Development Site

1.3.       Agrees in principle with six (6) of the other seven (7) recommendations and requests management to undertake further analysis of three (3) recommendations, namely:

Recommendation 4	Allow for car parking spaces for vans, buses and large vehicles
Recommendation 5	Develop G Shed for various infrastructure improvements
Recommendation 7	Dedicated recycling stations ground level or below G Shed

And requests management to refer three (3) recommendations to the Board of the Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd for its consideration, namely:

Recommendation 10	Increased customer focus for the market
Recommendation 11	Access of customers around the market and facilities
Recommendation 13	Guarantee security of tenure for traders

1.4.       Requests management to:

1.4.1.      In addition to the 500 car parks in Munro, investigate an additional 500 car parks in the precinct with the current at grade car park to become an open space once transitional parking there is no longer required.

1.4.2.      Investigate the minority report.

1.4.3.      Provide a report in the first quarter of 2019 on the further analysis of three recommendations outlined in 1.3 and investigations into the minority report, including the overall impact of these recommendations on the business case and implementation strategy.

1.4.4.      Make public the revised business case and makes public the revised gross costs of the total project (sunk costs not net budget) incorporating any new options.

Have Your Say - click here.

Heard Under The Sheds – 9/12/2018

Memories – one of our traders recalled the similarities with the old days (notice he didn’t call them the “good old days”) when times were tough, margins were tight, customers just didn’t want to buy, and traders learned to work really hard to get a sale. He says those times sorted out the real traders and he suspects current times are going to do the same.

A trader commented that the delicious uncertainty of Christmas Trading should keep our minds on our businesses for at least a few weeks.

One of our cafes ran out of food on Sunday. They are not sure why the sudden demand, but whatever the reason, it is a great sign.

Fiery Friday – Friday’s 38 degree heat (42 under the sheds?) certainly tested the comfort levels for traders and customers. But it was the strong North winds that caused a few early closures for outside traders.

Mixed reports on business from the Wednesday Night Market but we won’t keep commenting on the ups’n’downs each week – this is retailing after all.

Important Reminder - The communication to traders has risen in leaps and bounds over recent times and we see no point in repeating all the news but perhaps we can make a special mention of the free Christmas BBQ Breakfast next Friday 14^th  from 6:30am in front of the Meat Hall. According to the Trader Bulletin it is to “celebrate all our hard work” so we can all feel entitled and turn up for a big feed. And we wonder who will be wearing the aprons behind the BBQ’s this year?

A trader commented that retailing is really tough right now and there are plenty of hurdles, but she feels that working for yourself still beats the hell out of working for someone else.

Have Your Say - click here.

QVM In The News - 9/12/2018

Queen Victoria Market boss Stan Liacos says Queen Victoria Market needs change Herald Sun Market chief executive Stan Liacos said everyone understood the need to protect the market's cultural heritage. “But the safety of its operations, the ...

Meet the special Victorian's who bring Christmas to life Herald Sun Gary “Gazza” Rapley, from Gazza's Gourmet Seafood at the Queen Victoria Market, says since starting at the market in 1990, seafood has grown to ...

Queen Victoria Market under-shed plan parked Herald Sun Queen Victoria Market would retain hundreds of parking bays and develop “creative spaces” to lure customers under revised options for the icon's ...

Foreign visitors flock to Queen Victoria Market Herald Sun Queen Victoria Market's popularity with international tourists is growing, with ... The surveys found the market welcomed 1.5 million domestic visitors, ...

Editor's Picks: The Best Things to Do in Melbourne in December Broadsheet Until then, you can get festive at the Queen Victoria Market, where a massive outdoor ice rink has been installed. For the athletically challenged, ...

Articles Worth A Read - 9/12/2018

Chinese tourism is a major global force and this article from the ABC takes a look at the phenomena including the dreaded commission shopping tours.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-02/how-chinese-tourists-are-reshaping-tourism-around-the-world/10557512

Reading list - hopefully we will all be too busy with business over the Christmas/New Year period, but if you do expect time to read a book, here is Bill gates top 5 book picks.
https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/bill-gates-says-these-are-5-best-books-of-2018-and-you-should-give-them-as-gifts.html

Major tech advances for retail in 2019 - some of these might seem irrelevant to small market businesses, but some of them are interesting - take the predictions for Instagram growth which we all have access to.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/11/28/ten-tech-based-predictions-for-the-retail-industry-in-2019/#3ac304a7744c

The scientific case for eating bread - as a food staple this will be relevant to one of the world's great food markets.
https://qz.com/quartzy/1487485/the-scientific-case-for-eating-bread/

Great Christmas Trading Tips From Mentors

Getting the most out of the Christmas sales surge makes good sense and the SBMS mentor team have handpicked some key tips just for traders.

Click on the link below to go to the full article. You are sure to find some ideas that will help to maximise sales during this important time, and don't forget for many of us, the potential for good sales continues right through January.

8 Ways to Make the Most of Christmas Trading

A True Market Partnership

Ronnie Z not only makes fabulous juices and smoothies but he sources his produce from our market. That is making the best from the best. 

No doubt there are others creating similar relationships. We'd love to hear about them.

Have Your Say - click here.

Why Should Customers Have All The Fun?

As our photo shows, traders and their staff have been taking advantage of special rates to enjoy the Ice Skating Rink at the top of C Shed. The staff from JLP donned their skates and seem to be having a great time. Their boss, Mino, is absent but presumably someone had to take the photo.

Tell Us About It - Stating The "Bleeding Obvious"

A few snippets from mainstream media this week got us thinking about the “bleeding obvious” difficulties in retailing right now –

“Online shopping has seen a structural shift in how we shop and has been a drag on revenue for retailers that have not kept up.” – Tell us about it!

“Bricks-and-mortar retailers are in a fight for survival.” – Tell us about it!

“Australian consumers have hit the brakes on spending, savings rates have fallen to decade lows and wages have flatlined.” – Tell us about it!

“The disappointing 2.8 per cent overall growth rate for the year to September sets up a tax cut race in the new year, with both parties pledging to put money back into workers wallets to drive them back to the shops.” – Yes please!

“The low level of consumption has meant shops have been unable to move millions of dollars of stock, with the value of retail inventories growing by $844 million and subtracting as much as 0.3 per cent from GDP.” – Tell us about it!

Have Your Say - click here.

Heard Under The Sheds – 2/12/2018

A trader asks why key Chapel St. retailers including Just Jeans are demanding a 70% rent reduction while QVM traders have just received an actual rent increase.

Boom, boom - A trader suggests that new attractions are most welcome at QVM but with retail struggling we were still skating on thin ice.

A trader asks which of the four food traders who have been appointed to the new Committee of Trustees could be considered suitable to represent Specialty Traders (General Merchandise). 

Vale John Leone – John passed away on 26^th November and will be remembered for his very positive attitude to life despite crippling health issues. As one trader said, John’s commitment to his business, and his customers was testament to his love of the market.

Changing customer preferences – one trader tells us of 2 of his customers who spent over $1500 each for Jon Bon Jovi tickets but resisted purchasing $30 fan paraphernalia at his stall. He concluded that we certainly live in a time of change in consumer spending habits.

Conversation between a trader and a new mentor this week –

Trader “Well, I would love to fully embrace aspects of digital promotion at my stall but that is hard without electricity”.

New Mentor – “What do you mean – without electricity?”

Trader – “We don’t have electricity at our stalls.”

New Mentor – “You mean, in this day and age, you are not able to plug in a screen, computer, or cash register?”

Trader – “That is correct. We don’t have electricity at our stalls.”

We have para-phrased the conversation but you get the idea.

The power of communication – a trader commented how useful it was to get an SMS from QVM on Saturday morning explaining the dilemma created by tramworks on Peel St. and particularly the impact on customer parking. He found it invaluable when explaining to customers.

The word had got around – a bit of excitement at one trader’s stall on Saturday as colleagues enthusiastically joined in the conversation. Was it a big sale or the achievement of a sales target, or perhaps a new supply deal? NO, the second leg of the quaddie came in – damn these quiet trading days. (All done discretely in front of customers of course.)

There were rumours that the ice rink shut down prematurely on Saturday in our 31 degree (35) heat. The figure in brackets is the usual premium under our tin roofs. One trader suggested that a bit of insulation and some ceiling fans could have helped but that is another story.

Continuing on the ice rink theme –a number of traders commented that the rink seems to be a very useful addition to our market, even if just for a short time.

Summer Night Market – most traders seemed to do better on the second Wednesday night of the new season with one reporting three times his opening night’s sales. If that trend continues he is anticipating retirement by March 2019.

The importance of a positive attitude – this trader is well known for her positive attitude to trading and customers and she presents a compelling argument for remaining upbeat at all times. She says that, with a smile and conversation, the possible sales are more likely to become actual sales. Entertaining our customers is the secret to making QVM the preferred retail destination over run-of-the-mill retailers.

Great graphics – a couple of traders have commented on the quality of the graphics in recent QVM handouts, particularly the Christmas trading promotion.

The top issue this week in the upper market was undoubtedly the decision to leave  a General Merchandise Trader out of the high level Committee of Trustees. Traders expressed concern that General Merchandise produces 60-70% of the total number of market traders and yet they have been over-looked on the Committee (see separate article).

Have Your Say – click here.

Latest Retail News – 2/12/2018

Latest Retail News – 2/12/2018
1. Coles re-introduces its popular Little Shop promotion.
2. Harvey Norman franchisee sales on decline.
3. Roger David confirms it will cease trading on Sunday 2nd December.
4. Woolworths expands its reward options to Big W.
5. Menulog gets lucrative Hungry Jacks delivery business.
6. Retailers failing at 1.5 times the general business sector.
7. Temple & Webster lifts sales 39% since full year 2018.
8. Catch Group turned over more than $5m on Black Friday.
9. Cyber Monday 2018 became biggest ever online sales day in US history.
10. Small Aussie retailers miss out on Black Friday sales surge.
11. Online grocery sales up by nearly 40% in Australia.
12. US Black Friday sales reach $6.22B.
13. Victoria Secrets first full-range store at Chadstone gets 1000 people queue for opening.
14. Tiffany & Co. sales drop due reduced tourist spending.
15. Coca-Cola to sell its SPC cannery operation.

QVM In The News - 2/12/2018

Mayor set to push forward on $250 million project Herald Sun “So I'm really confident we'll be able to get on with some fantastic works to keep improving Queen Victoria Market for traders, shoppers and visitors,” ...

	CEO warns on QVM commerce CDB News By Shane Scanlan. After nine months in the job, Queen Victoria Market CEO Stan Liacos has arrived at the same place as his numerous predecessors ... Flag as irrelevant
	People's panel torpedoes civic space CDB News The “people” have torpedoed the City of Melbourne's five-year ambition to relocate parking and trader amenities under Queen Victoria Market's (QVM) ... Flag as irrelevant
	Get your skates on CDB News Who said you couldn't ice skate during summer? An outdoor summer ice rink will be installed in our very own Queen Victoria Market this month just in ...

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood calls for swift action to get $250 million Queen Victoria Market ... Herald Sun “It's an integral public asset for Australia's fastest-growing city, and (it's important) to secure the viable trading future of Queen Victoria Market.”.