Wednesday 31 August 2016

Council Endorses Trader Compensation Proposal


We reported in a previous article that City Council was to consider a proposal to set up a compensation fund for QVM Traders impacted by renewal. A meeting was conducted yesterday (Tuesday 30/8/2016) and the Council resolved - 

That Council:
-        Notes the amendments made by management to the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Implementation Framework (Attachment 1 of the report from management) as directed by Council at its previous meeting, and endorses the final Implementation Framework as amended.
-        Recognises that the successful implementation of the master plan will require frequent, detailed and genuine discussions between Queen Victoria Market management and traders, and requests a full briefing to Cr Forum setting out the proposed handling of such discussions as well as the status of the Queen Victoria Market Retail Strategy.
-        Endorses in principle the establishment of a compensation fund for the purposes of providing licence fee relief for traders whose income is demonstrably affected by the Queen Victoria Market renewal, and indicates a willingness to forego the annual return to Council from Queen Victoria Market (up to approx. $4 million per year) during the renewal in order to create such a fund.

-        Requests management to work with the management of Queen Victoria Market to propose a suitable framework and mechanisms for a compensation fund for market traders.

The handling of the compensation has yet to be decided although the wording "demonstrably" suggests that traders would need to demonstrate hardship through their records and the actual compensation would relate to rent relief.


Monday 29 August 2016

The Anti- renewal Movement Is Becoming A Bit Of A Circus



NOTE: This article has been re-published due to additional comments.

Regrettably the QVM Anti-Renewal debate has become a bit of a circus and that means that the very important process of reversing market decline could be hampered at least in the short term. The involvement of unions, celebrities, and others looking for quick media bites is not really helping
 the process of improving our market.

Shane Scanlan's editorial in the CBD News this week raises some very interesting criticism of the "ridiculous debate". He refers to the reluctance by some to accept that the market is in terminal decline and asks "if you love the market, why would you resist efforts to ensure its future?"

The answer is that there is probably little professional retail logic in the anti renewal group. Their various meetings have come up with lots of passionate criticism but very few answers. It is ironic that they are now directing their criticism at Lord Mayor,Robert Doyle, who in 2012 initiated the move to reinvest in our market after years of council neglect. No matter what you think of the man or his politics he is obviously committed to QVM survival. The professionalism of the QVM Renewal Master Plan and the undoubted talent surrounding its implementation is testament to that commitment.

Does the anti-group have anything to offer traders? Well, yes it does. One of its focuses is protecting traders. Let's be honest, the commitment to a five year tenancy guarantee for every trader has come about at least partly because of their actions. But this all about balance. Fixing our market doesn't rely just on protecting traders. We need to get the retail bit right. I wouldn't want to be a protected trader in a market that closes its doors because it failed to meet the changing needs of consumers. And shouldn't we place more faith in the ability of the designers of the world's most livable city to get a renewal right over a group of celebrities and well-meaning shoppers who would prefer to do nothing?


The current renewal plan is for limited change to our market and certainly an adherence to its heritage as a public market. The bulk of the money will be spent on provision of underground services that will enable our food traders to operate more efficiently. It will just be a better public market with a few modern concessions and a chance at convincing more Melburnians, and tourists, that it is worth shopping here. If the anti group could come up with real workable solutions then maybe we could listen to what they say. Until then they are just part of a circus that has little to offer traders, or consumers generally. And that is a shame.

By Greg Smith


COMMENTS:
28/08/2016 20:16:06     The Anti- renewal Movement Is Becoming A Bit Of A Circus          "The article makes mention of the anti renewal movement being a 'circus' three times.
Perhaps mention should also be made that the renewal movements repeated ignoring of 'anti's' is what has created and given voice to the group.
This started with a consultation progress that lacked any real intent to involve the community in discussion be it traders or customers.
Traders have not been effectively communicated with over the consultation period and there has effectively been a 'we know what's best for you, do as we say' attitude towards them from both City of Melbourne and QVM Management.
I am well aware that we need renewal, however when I look back at the points David O'Neill made about what is needed for a successful market renewal it becomes clear to me that we are heading down the path towards being a market that fails post renewal.  The key point that sticks out in my mind is his statement that traders and management must work together and this is definitely not happening.  For fresh produce at least far too many decisions are happening without any trader knowledge or involvement."      

Thanks for your input and apologies for the multi reference to “circus”.
I have extracted from David O’Neils recommendations the points where he referred to working together. Here they are –
·        .- You should be open and transparent with traders and customers
·        - Communication, communication, communication
·        - The challenge is – getting the staff and traders to work TOGETHER
·        - Traders must be part of the decision-making on some things, many things  – not things where there is a conflict of interest.
·        - The more you involve people the better – yes it costs time and money – but you must involve them in the planning.

O’Neil definitely talked about working together although he drew the line at decision-making that might involve a conflict of interest for traders. Transparency would seem to be the key here. Perhaps we should know what decisions that management feels may involve conflict. It would certainly help our understanding and that could be a good subject for discussion with Malcolm McCullough on a Thursday afternoon. –

Thanks again – Ed.


29/08/2016 08:03:06     Consultation Process   "Lets be honest here.
The real problem here is not the consultation process (if only it were that simple).
If traders (and community members) look at the guidelines for public consultation processes as established by the International Association for Public Participation (iap2) they will note that there are varying levels of input possible in a 'Public Participation' process.
The real issue here is that some traders and members of the community are not happy with level 1 (inform) level 2 (consult) level 3 (collaborate) but demand level 4 participation (empower).
They may be right, but to be able to argue successfully that you should be engaged at that level you will rightly need some very (very) compelling reasons to justify that level of involvement. Given traders unique understanding of what happens on the trading floor, I honestly believe that good sound advice from traders is essential to getting things right.
But given the difficulty for traders to distance themselves enough from their personal  business interests, their willingness (and ability) to look too far into the future and their ability to truly have an in depth understanding of the complexities from both an infrastructure as well as a global retailing perspective I doubt that the argument for a level 4 involvement is a 'compelling argument'.
Its time to stop the politicking and myopic approach to this very essential discussion on the future of the market and have serious in depth discussion on the many single issues that need trader input so as to ensure that the least amount of 'errors' are made as we collaborate to ensure the future of the market.
We cannot do that by only looking in the rear vision mirror or taking an 'as is' approach to the markets future, or by masking the real issues with politicking, flag waving and obstructionism.        Ivano                                                                                                       
Thanks for your input Ivano - Ed


29/08/2016 11:38:09     Re: Ivano on consultation       "Perhaps it's just me but I'm not aware of traders who are asking for  or demanding level 4 - empower.  As traders we are currently floating between level 1&2, more often stationed at 1 despite being promised interaction which to my interpretation would see us between 2&3. 

For the process to work traders have to have level 2/3 participation which you have also agreed with - ""Given traders unique understanding of what happens on the trading floor, I honestly believe that good sound advice from traders is essential to getting things right.""

The prime example of not meeting those levels for me is the ongoing saga of what will be done to H&I sheds, despite the food traders insisting that the one thing that absolutely could not be done was the splitting up of the fresh produce quadrant. 

I am all for renewal and it should have happened many, many years ago, the market is in a sorry state overall at the minute.  As much as I would like to see the market improve, trader input (not control) is essential as a renewal without proper trader input will be just as much of a death sentence as no renewal at all. 


What if originally mentioned in reference to the article was that the 'circus' has been created by a lack of information being shared to the various groups, creating the anger & frustration which makes the process impossible.  Would a better consultation process stop the negativity from the customer group? Probably not, but it wouldn't have such large groups of traders offside with the process."

Great input. Thank you - Ed

29/8/2016 12:45  Consultation         "For what its worth I agree entirely with the need for meaningful trader involvement at level 2/3 on the iap2 spectrum."   Ivano

Thanks Ivano - Ed


09/09/2016 12:41:15     Anti renewal movement movement is becoming a bit of a circus article      "We are writing in response to your ""Anti Renewal Movement is Becoming a Bit of a Circus"" article. 

If you had attended any one of the many meetings that S.T.A.G., NUW and Friends of Queen Victoria Market have held over the last six months, you would realise that none of the above groups are anti renewal at all. They are just not happy with the current renewal plan put forward by Robert Doyle.

May I remind you that S.T.A.G. has over 80% of stall holders and businesses in the market signed up and further to that, hundreds have now joined the NUW. Yes, we all have a good laugh and shake our heads when Doyle and his cohorts, including Rob Adams, get on the radio and say it's only about half a dozen unhappy traders.

We realise that you are out of the loop and seem to be getting a lot of your information from newspaper articles. May we inform you that S.T.A.G. has regular  meetings with Councillors, Unions, Ministers and Federal and State Politicians. You have mentioned celebrities and yes, many have approached us. Furthermore, we anticipate that you will be hearing a lot more from them in the weeks to come.

Recently, many QVM traders who are members of the NUW met at Trades Hall to vote on a list of claims for a redevelopment of the QVM. This will be released soon and presented to the market CEO. We have also worked very closely with the Melbourne Lord Mayor candidate Phil Cleary and his team. This includes trader Michael Caiafa who is number one on the Cleary ticket. Together, they will be discussing the traders list of claims. Team Cleary will be using these and other great ideas as one of their policies for a fairer, less expensive and more efficient redevelopment. 

We are not a circus. On the contrary, S.T.A.G. is a well organised, dedicated group and the majority of stall holders at the market which we represent are not a bunch of clowns. They know when they see a land grab and a crazy development plan that pleases the developers more than them and the community. That's why they have stood up and created a voice.

The team at S.T.A.G.   "          The team at S.T.A.G.                                                                                                                            
Thanks for your input Team At STAG. And I agree the majority of traders at QVM are not clowns. - Ed


QVM In The News


25-27/8/2016
... including fifth generation Elizabeth, aged four, blew out the birthday candles with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today at the Queen Victoria Market.

There is no doubt about the passion being expressed about the future of the Queen Victoria Market. But what is less clear is whether this passion is ...

CHRIS Gavriel strives to create a point of difference at his butcher shops, John Cester's Poultry and Game in Prahran Market and The Corner Chicken ...

Sunday 28 August 2016

Compensation For Traders Goes Before Council

Around 2 years ago Trader Representatives made a presentation to management about possible compensation to traders who were adversely impacted by market renewal.
This followed discussions with UK public market representatives who had experienced similar issues and, at least in the case of one UK market, formulated a comprehensive set of procedures to govern compensation entitlements. 
The issue was raised again with management recently and the question of compensation has become one of the major un-answered renewal issues for traders after tenancy guarantees.

Councillor Leppert will present a motion at next Tuesdays Melbourne City Council meeting which in part includes the following:-

“Endorses in principle the establishment of a compensation fund for the purposes of providing licence fee relief for traders whose income is demonstrably affected by the Queen Victoria Market renewal, and indicates a willingness to forego the annual return to Council from Queen Victoria Market (approx. $4 million per year) during the renewal in order to create such a fund; and 4. Requests management to work with the management of Queen Victoria Market to propose a suitable framework and mechanisms for a compensation fund for market traders.”

We hope to find out more detail of how this will work in due course.



Traders May Be Missing The Best Event In Town

Barely a dozen traders turned up at Thursday's open forum conducted by CEO Malcom McCullough but according to participants this was a revealing discussion.

A whole range of topics were discussed in Mr.McCullough's now trademark direct and honest manner. They included different ways of calculating rents, consolidation of stalls during construction, options for fruit and vegetable traders in the Queen St. temporary market and so on. 

These meetings are not accidental. They are designed to inform traders but also inform management. It would be fair to call them part of the process of negotiation as traders and management openly discuss and analyse market processes to see what is likely to work and what isn't. 

Traders who have questions on any market matter, particularly renewal, should attend. Don't expect definitive answers to all questions but do expect that your views will form part of the debate. The next meeting is scheduled for the Engagement Hub on Thursday from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Don't miss it.


Food Retailing Hots Up

David Jones have thrown down the gauntlet in the food retailing war as they claim the high end of the category.

This week their CEO described the big three,  Coles, Woolworths and Aldi as "racing for the bottom" while DJ's look to the top of the prepared and fresh food market. David Jones have quite good credentials in this category although the recent failure of upmarket Jones The Grocer, and the reduction in Woolworths Thomas Dux outlets might be cause for concern. The balance of quality freshness and innovative prepared foods is their target. Prepared food is a growing category that is no stranger to food shoppers at any of the supermarket chains.


The interesting question for us is where does the Queen Victoria Market sit in all this?


Wednesday 24 August 2016

Creating A Farm At QVM

Crops are being harvested on the top of New York buildings as conservationists and ecologists push for greater use of our resources, particularly those that offer location benefits to the mass populations using our cities.

A company called Aerofarms in the US is converting a 70,000 sq.ft. old steel mill in Newark to food production in the latest development of this technology. There have even been discussions around dedicating complete skyscrapers to food production. Ecologist Dickson Despommier from Columbia University argues that vertical farming is legitimate for environmental reasons. He claims that the cultivation of plant life within skyscrapers will require less embedded energy and produce less pollution than some methods of producing plant life on natural landscapes. (Wikipedia) Of course you don't have to dedicate complete skyscrapers to this type of operation. Small rooftop set-ups that feed single restaurants have also shown benefits.

QVM could be an ideal location for such a venture, given our impeccable credentials for all things food. We have the luxury of a 7 hectare CBD site, and some money in the bank with a renewal. Such technology may shake the boundaries for our traditionalists but at least we wouldn't be looking like a supermarket - we would be jumping way ahead of them. (Actually some work has already been done in German supermarkets.)

There is something very comforting about the thought of all those plants sucking in the carbon dioxide from our CBD and converting it to food. QVM could grow its own food, powered by our own rooftop solar panels, and fed by collected rainwater in our own underground water storage facilities on Queen St. How environmentally beneficial is that?

QVM has long held a prominent position in food supply although intense competition, particularly from supermarkets, has narrowed the gap. Maybe our own vertical food production is one way of stepping ahead.




Sunday 21 August 2016

Heard Under The Sheds


Retail Designer For A Shed – this week’s information sessions with Fruit & Vegetable traders made mention of the services of retail designer, Richard Beaumont, to assist traders with exploring possible concepts. 
Richard has very impressive experience with global retailers in various categories and will no doubt look forward to the challenges presented by one of the world’s largest public markets.

Feast of Footy – the trader proposal last year to align QVM with the new AFL public holiday on the Friday before the Grand Final has been taken up this year with the QVM Feast of Footy campaign.

Rent Calculations – maybe our current method of stall/shop rent calculations is under review with our CEO this week mentioning the possibility of rents based on foot traffic rather than square metres.

Golf In K Shed – one of our more sports oriented traders pulled out the driver and took a swing down K shed during the week. Before you get too concerned the ball was a very soft plastic and this was all done early morning before customers were around so safety was a prime concern. One trader suggested that anytime before 11:00am would be safe these days.

Temporary Market Accomodation – the process of renewal is very fluid as QVM stick to their word that trader’s wishes will be accommodated wherever possible. 
This week’s information sessions with Fruit & Vegetable traders raised their dissatisfaction with the String Bean Alley option and a preference for a temporary market for Fruit & Vegetables in Queen St. while construction goes on under ABCD sheds.This could mean that Specialty Merchandise Traders are more likely to be accommodated under JKLM than in a temporary structure on Queen St.

Permanent stalls in a temporary structure has been a big drawcard for Specialty Merchandise Traders and many may be disappointed if that option disappears. But, like we said, this process is very fluid.


Important Market News On Facebook

We know that many traders use Facebook but how many have the official QVM Facebook feed on their mobiles or computers? As the following photos show it is worth keeping up with the market's Facebook announcements. This is just one important way that the market connects with our customers. 

We are certainly looking forward to Monday's first screening of My Market Kitchen.






Have Your Say - click here.

Get Well Xenia

We don't make a habit of publishing get well messages on this website but such is the interest surrounding Xenia's (Sonya) absence that we are making an exception.
Xenia fell ill at the market on Friday and has ended up in hospital. The sight of up to a dozen traders around her as she was loaded on to an ambulance trolley in K shed was testament to the concern for her welfare.
We wish Xenia and her family a speedy recovery. And to quote one trader - "It's just too quiet without her." Take that as a compliment Xenia. 

Have Your Say - click here.

Macys Move Forward By Closing Stores


This week’s announcement by US retail giant, Macy’s, that it was closing 100 stores (12% of its total) was greeted favourably particularly by the share market. Shares rose 17% on the news.
Macy’s has been suffering declining sales at its bricks-n-mortar stores over the last 6 reporting quarters. They hasten to add that stores remain profitable but analysts say it is a question of preparing for the future, and adjusting to consumer trends. Monetising the high value Macy’s real estate is also seen as a bonus. Macy’s estimate that closing the 100 stores will mean a reduction of just 3% on annual sales after allowing for absorbing sales through its website and nearby stores. It is expected that the cost savings and re-focus should ultimately boost overall productivity.

Analysts suggest that other US department store chains may need to assess their own operations although Nordstrom seems to be the most successful at adjusting to millennial shoppers with their focus on online and in-store offers including link-ups with successful online operators like Australia’s Shoes Of Prey. Nordstrom reported better-than-expected comparable sales and quarterly profit this week and their shares rose 12%.

Thursday 18 August 2016

Public Gets Briefing On QVM Renewal


Public meetings have commenced at the Engagement Hub on Queen St. as details of the QVM Renewal Implementation Plan are announced.
The meetings cover a variety of issues to do with renewal with key points like – 
- five year program.
- keeping the market operating during renewal.
- exciting temporary markets.
- improved toilets, pedestrian crossings, and seating.
- the public are being asked to give feedback on preferred options for market sites, open spaces, and recognising the market’s history.
- five year guaranteed tenure for traders.
- respecting history and culture.
- keeping the look and feel of the market.
- more places to eat, sit, and enjoy the atmosphere.
- better, safer facilities for traders.
Details are available at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/queenvictoriamarket


Retail News Briefs – Costco Coffins etc.


Costco Sells Coffins – not your typical supermarket line but Costco are indeed selling coffins at their Ringwood store. The manufacturer of the coffins claims Costco are selling for around half the price that funeral parlors charge. 14 different coffins and caskets are on offer with prices ranging from $360 to $3800.

Cotton On Challenge The Imports – Cotton On takes on the likes of H&M with the opening of a two storey megastore in Bourke St. Melbourne this week. The store will feature a women’s floor, a men’s floor, a barber shop and coffee shop.

Dominos Continues Profit Surge – announcing a 28% lift in annual profit this week, Dominos credits strong growth in Europe and NZ for their performance. Dominos are looking at other menu lines (not hamburgers) and have expressed interest in purchasing the ailing Eagle Boys pizza business.

Walmart Takes On Amazon And Looks Past The Local Store – Walmart are investing heavily in their e-commerce division as they chase online leaders Amazon. Walmart recently acquired Jet.com and is partnering with Uber and Lyft to home deliver purchases.

The President and CEO of Walmart recently said – “We’re looking for ways to lower prices, broaden our assortment and offer the simplest, easiest shopping experience because that’s what our customers want.”

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre Combines Mall & Outdoor - Pacific fair Shopping Centre on Queensland's Gold Coast certainly has the climate for it but their recent renewal sees a combination of mall shopping with outdoor vista's. Customers are invited on a journey taking in the traditional closed off mall with outdoor shopping precincts, park areas and a huge variety of eating options.


Sunday 7 August 2016


Latest Retail News – 7/8/2016
1. Noni B to buy Pretty Girl fashion group.
2. Permanent market proposal for Hobart’s Macquarie Point to be based on QVM.
3. Strike at Coles leaves gaps on fresh food shelves.
4. Major UK kitchenware retailer, Lakeland, to have presence in Good Guy’s Australian stores.
5. Retailers hope Reserve Bank rate cut will boost retail sales.
6. Amazon’s profits soar in second quarter.
7. Terry White and Chemmart to merge businesses.
8. Nike set to drop its golf equipment business.
9. David Jones and Country Road Head Office to move from Sydney to Melbourne.
10. Health and beauty category tops online sales growth.


Heard Under the Sheds



Management Moves –
Rumours of some high profile departures from the management team have been rife around the market. Marketing Manager, Mark Smith, has confirmed he is leaving the market for personal family reasons.

Wider Stalls in Rear K/L
The aisle in Rear K/Rear L has been made narrower to bring it more in line with other market aisles and create some extra stall space for traders on either side. Traders who had problems fitting storage boxes within their stalls are most grateful. One trader said he welcomed the extra space and felt the narrower aisle made the precinct seem busier.

Trader Objects To Wider Stalls
Apparently one trader says the wider stalls in Rear K/Rear L is a good move but he wants to know where the credit is for the lost space over the last 20 years. He was joking – we think.

Customer Proposes AFL Link-up
Long term customer, Joe, made some interesting observations during a chat on Saturday. He is a fan of ex Premier Jeff Kennett and claims that Kennett was voted the sacked premier that most Victorians would like to have back in charge. He says one of Kennett’s proposals was for QVM to support the Melbourne Demons football team and link two of our city’s icons in a cross-promotional deal.

Guru Pete Is Being Tracked
Cleaning staff have been asked to carry GPS readers, presumably to track their circuits around the market. Pete didn’t seem too enamored with the idea although his busy schedule is unlikely to draw any criticism. One trader suggested he should tie the GPS to young Austin Moore’s scooter if wants to rack up extra miles.

Altercation In J Shed
Apparently some angry words were said last Saturday during pack up. A trader’s worker had positioned his storage boxes in the aisle while packing but was blocking traffic in and out of the market. Traders need to be sure that their workers understand local needs and J shed is definitely an important thoroughfare. We would have thought the aisle was wide enough to cover both needs.



Sydney's QVM



Sydney Pinches Our Name - For A Week

In a move likely to raise intercity rivalry, a Queen Victoria Market has been set up in central Sydney.
Sydney's Queen Victoria Building is to be the site of a pop-up gourmet food market for just one week in August, all part of a celebration of the building's founding years.
According to the blurb, offerings will include gourmet burgers, bone broth soups, freshly baked artisan breads with cultured butters, wood-fired pizzas and popcorn.
All sounds a bit ho-hum, and perhaps we should be inviting all Sydney-siders down to a real gourmet market but that would  be inciting more rivalry wouldn't it.


Creating Quiet Time For Shoppers

Sensory overload is apparently a common problem in supermarkets and one Adelaide supermarket is doing something about it. They are creating a one hour quiet time to allow affected customers to limit their exposure to all the bells and whistles that come with modern shopping.

The problem has been particularly connected with customers who gave sensory perception disorder which is common in autism, although many people suffer some form of sensory overload. Feeling uncomfortable in large crowds is one indicator. It is all caused by the noise of cash registers, the beeping of machines, coffee grinders, PA announcements, and so on. During quiet time in this Adelaide supermarket the bakery shuts down, cleaning activities are suspended, the cash register sounds are turned down, music and PA announcements are turned off, and lighting is reduced. The trial has been conducted in association with disability services provider CARA, and operates between 6:30 and 7:30 on a Tuesday. Results so far have been positive.

If we were to introduce something similar at QVM we could perhaps look at banning spruiking and PA announcements, putting rubber wheels on storage boxes and definitely banning radio music. But the one market activity that upsets my sensory perceptions more than any other is bashing those sliding racks against boxes or fittings to free up the slide mechanism. Some traders need to invest in new racks or at least lubricate their current fittings.

Noise and atmosphere are considered desirable attributes for a public market but maybe we could give consideration to this quiet initiative or at least tackle the extreme sounds that are likely to deter  some customers (and cranky editors).



The Balancing Act That Is Market Renewal


The demise of ABC Shops, Dick Smiths, and Australian Geographic are symptoms of an industry in the middle of a revolution. The success stories – Lorna Jane, Dominos, JB HiFi, Cotton-on, K-Mart and others show what can be done.

An analysis of the failures raises some common issues –
-      Retailers that failed to reinvent themselves in a relevant way.
-      Failure to read changes in market trends and react appropriately.
-      Using old ways of thinking to tackle new problems.
-      Reluctance to innovate.
-      Losing the key attributes that created their success or allowing others to pinch those key attributes.

Examining each of those issues in relation to The Queen Victoria Market might make it easier to decide whether we need a renewal or not. And if we do need a renewal, what form should it take? If we don’t need a renewal, how do we stop the obvious decline at QVM?

All the retail examples above relate predominantly to shopping centres. We are not a shopping centre but fortunately many global markets have recently gone down the renewal track and they are certainly relevant to this discussion. The list is quite impressive –
Leicester Market – 2015 (current).
Kirkgate Market – Leeds – 2018 (current).
and of course our local markets – Dandenong, South Melbourne, and Prahran.
You will find a link to each of the overseas markets by clicking on their name. They make very interesting viewing and reading. We have excluded some of the more modern interpretations of markets from the main list but you may like to look at the following as a matter of interest. 

Can we say those renewals achieved the aim of reversing, or at least stopping, market decline? That is difficult to assess although we do know that some of them are at least claiming that their renewals were successful. Some QVM traders would prefer to take no action although it appears that the majority of traders see the wisdom in making measured adjustments to increase our attraction to a wider group of consumers.


On the face of it, structural changes to QVM are going to be quite minimal. Around half the renewal expenditure is going on underground facilities for Fruit & Vegetable Traders. Few would argue against this component of our food offer needing the most attention.
There is a temptation to say “We don’t need to go that far. We just need to tweak some parts of our offer and everything will be OK”. But isn't that the lack of foresight and lack of innovative thinking that we referred to at the beginning of this article? 

Getting the balance right is the big challenge in front of us. Other important markets seem to have got it right, and we just need to make sure we do the same for our QVM.

Have Your Say - click here.

COMMENTS:
08/08/2016 14:25:17 Open eyes and minds. "Renewal and redevelopement are two words that are not interchangeable.

To renew is to revitalise and modify our offering. To redevelope is to change the existing into another form. We are all aware of the need to bring our surroundings up to standard due to the lack of diligence from the market management over many years. We are also aware that we need to keep pace with the ever changing retail needs of our customers. This is a business decision by the individual, massive infrastructure changes, ie, redevelopement, will not and can not alter the individual business offering. These two words are mutualy exclusive of each other. We need to make our market attractive to customers, this does not mean new buildings and parks but means giving the customers a reason to visit the ""Market Precint"" as a destination. We live and die from our individual bisiness decisions. Lets get it right from the start and listen to the individual. Accept the ""givens"" such as the Munro site and Franklin St but still offer input. Fight like hell for our home, OUR QVM, by the traders for the people." Karl ADK since 1950
Thanks for your input Karl - Ed.