Monday 26 February 2018

The 5 Stages Of Grief At QVM

One thing for sure is that there is a lot of sentiment out there at the moment.
And given the really poor current trading that's going on for many that understandably leads to finger pointing, anger and venting.

To Traders the unshakeable reality is that Management have always been almost totally disconnected with the day to day reality of the trading floor (that was seen as a 'Trader issue'). When the going was good that suited most Traders perfectly. Now that trading is in truly dire straits and most attempts to make adjustments and improve sales by many if not most traders either simply doesn’t work or produces negligible results, only a few Traders continue to hold to that view.

Like many issues at the market this is a multifaceted and complex issue, this one goes to the core issue of defining the specific role of management and the role of traders and how those roles are linked and measured by the retail performance of the Market.
Let's start off by saying that there is no question in most Traders minds that Traders must accept responsibility for their businesses, and before looking at others need to ensure that they have done everything they reasonably can to address any downturns and challenges.

But, and this is a big but, most Traders don’t think it's incorrect to state that Management has not wanted to acknowledge any real share or role in the retail aspect of the Market, evidenced by its unwillingness or reluctance to capture, record and analyse accurate footfall, receiving sales data, having a professionally run and structured trader ‘recruitment’ team., running anything like a serious business incubation program etc. etc. etc.

Until very recently Management role has been essentially one of 'property management' as opposed to any serious attempt at Retail Market Management. That is, to collect the rents, keep the place in order, make sure the Pty Ltd company runs profitably and don’t concern yourselves with too much else with any serious intent ( interestingly this same issue and tendency has been identified in the UK and their publicly owned and run markets ). Fundamentally whilst the retail world around us was changing, generally Markets failed to react, or changed minimally. Now with the frantic changes constantly challenging even the larger and most robust retail organisations it's no wonder that our Trader run tiny independent businesses just can't meet the challenges and as a result are now going through the 5 stages of grief as we see our businesses wither and die right before our eyes ( I would say we’re currently locked in at the ‘anger’ stage, which is very common for anyone who perceives themselves as being a victim).

As mentioned above, when times were good Traders in general where more than happy with that ‘hands off’ approach, and indeed those of us who still see our businesses as healthy and vigorous continue to insist that this is the 'right' role of management. But for most traders, now that times are dire and the future bleak, with sales dwindling or dying, we are shaken from our initial stage of denial and anger well and truly takes hold.

The reality however is that as with most situations the responsibility needs to be borne by all participating parties and the solutions worked through together by all said parties.

And I suppose a significant contributor to the frustration and current negative sentiment of Traders is that the responsibility of turning around a business downturn has always almost exclusively been seen as the sole responsibility of Traders. The fact is that the challenges introduced by the 'new' globalised retail world and changing customer expectations were always going to be too complex and confounding for our small, fragile businesses to deal with alone.


Unfortunately the ‘Renewal’ process has not assisted any shift of intent and purpose on the part of Management, as was evidenced in the leaked email in the Herald Sun where at least from early 2012 the Pty Ltd that runs the Market needed to ensure that it limited its exposure and risk brought on it by a third party and largely outside their control and management.

By Ivano Guseli

Have Your Say - click here.
COMMENTS:
26/02/2018 13:42:23      Ivano article             "Ivano what you say is correct. As stall holders we are responsible
 For our product etc however if you are trying to sell and promote a product in an area that is crumbling in infrastructure...... empty space, dirty, lack of toilets, birds pooping, signs broken, poles with signage bent and in j shedthe mess left from grease and lack of general cleaning on the slats what would you think if you were a customer? These are issues any good management would have taken care of they are basic. We pay rent and I do believe we are not getting a fair share in return. I as a trader feel let down,I am prepared to do my share please reply ."

Keeping the market clean and in good state is an essential part of good housekeeping and it should not even need any discussion, it should simply be done.
In my years as a Traders Rep I found that the day to day operational concerns such as you mention were best handled ( and resolved* ) separately so as not to dominate Trader/Management discussions and thus risk not focussing the discussion around the much more critical existential threat and challenges Public Retail Markets like ours are facing. It is essential that we don't get distracted by day to day irritations to the point that we don't see and discuss the bigger picture, because if we don't find a solution to the current continuing decline the reality is the only thing remaining at the market may be the "empty space, dirt… bird poop" etc.


*P.S. If you want to know more about how the issues you mentioned were resolved feel free to come and speak to me. - Ivano



Sunday 25 February 2018

Heard Under The Sheds – 25/2/2018




Empty Stalls – some concern has been expressed about a comment on these pages that empty stalls are the result of global retail recession. What wasn’t said is that management have a large part to play in how we address the issue. – see separate article.

How Transparent Are EOI’s – a couple of traders have expressed concern that some traders have already been offered containers in String Bean Alley, despite assurances that every trader would be given an opportunity to apply through an EOI process. Maybe these “offers” are not really offers, but just identifying options.

Bold & Beautiful has nothing on QVM at the moment with all the publicity about misconduct in the press. One trader suggested that all that is missing is some sex and then immediately regretted suggesting that possibility. We have enough intrigue.

ATO Representatives – sound advice from one of our traders – If an ATO official asks to buy something at your stall, don’t say you only accept cash or you have lost your receipt book.

Rubbish – one of our traders sent us these photos as possible options for QVM. Not quite sure how this works but the surface aesthetics look great.




String Bean Alley – according to one of our traders, if we are serious about activating SBA, it needs a roof and that storage shed at the top of the aisle has to go. The night market fittings will need to be stored elsewhere while we create an inviting entrance to this potentially important trading area.





COMMENTS:
27/02/2018 22:27:02      QVM In the news   "You had forgotten or overlooked an article in Saturday 14-2 Herald Sun headlining "Email Slap For Traders regarding traders not being offered new licenses  during the renewal period which involves over 200 SL & Casual traders .Any Thoughts."
We use an automated service to bring up the over 200 articles p.a. about QVM but that one doesn't appear to have been listed. I guess you can access it direct with the Herald Sun. I think it is referring to the decision by management some time ago not to renew leases until there was certainty around renewal. That has since been modified in a letter to traders dated 16th June 2017 advising that all traders holding SL licences will be eligible to have their licences renewed by QVM Pty Ltd when their current licences expire. - Ed

01/03/2018 22:34:04      ATO at QVM            "Does anyone else think it ironic that the Australian Tax Office are in the Market talking to stallholders about improving their business in the same week news papers are printing articles about police investigating the Market over possible fraud allegations?"
Definitely an interesting conjunction of events - Ed





Retail News One-liners – 25/2/2018


1. Westfarmers reports 22% growth in online business.
2. Super Retail Group buys MacPac to link with its Rays business and compete with Kathmandu.
3. Wesfarmers first half profit drops more than 85%.
4. Godfreys looks to increase online sales.
5. Woolworths reports 15% profit rise.
6. David Jones half year profit falls 37%.
7. Commbank says January retail spending best since 2009.
8. Wesfarmers Russo says “less Target, more K-Mart.”
9. Jeanswest plans athleisure foray.
10. Dr.Martens opens first standalone store in Sydney’s Pitt St. centre.
11. Kogan reports big profit rise.
12. Target becomes profitable but “needs to do better.”
13. Macy’s to sell hijabs.
14. H&M continues to struggle with excess inventory and poor online results.
15. Dollar General to open 1000 new stores in US.

QVM In The News - 25/2/2018



NEWS


Mr Young gave a presentation to the board and the council when he returned, Mr Webb said, and staff from the Queen Victoria Market and Dandenong Market also attended the conference. Late last year, the Leader reported former trader Angelo Polydoras, who owned the Cheese Shop Deli for 13 ...
NEWS


Police investigating claims of criminal activity at Queen Victoria Market ... Market chief executive Stan Liacos said allegations had been made of "improper activity by employees, developers, suppliers and the government going back more than 20 years". Police are investigating claims of criminal activity ...
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The allegations have been passed to police for investigation. "QVM takes any allegation of impropriety extremely seriously and will fully co-operate with police as they assess this matter," the market said in a statement. It encouraged the people who sent the email to share the information with authorities.
NEWS


“The Queen Victoria Market received an anonymous email containing allegations of improper activity by employees, developers, suppliers and government going back more than 20 years,'' the statement said. The seven-person market board met on Wednesday night to review the claims and decided to ...
NEWS


But Cr Wood, who is married with two young children, said he would be at the council for the long haul, and identified priority issues such as the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment, ensuring inner-urban renewal areas were developed properly, and pushing for an airport rail link. “My ambition is for ...
WEB

Excellent deli section but wednesday night food night is great
Queen Victoria Market: Excellent deli section but wednesday night food night is great - See 840 traveller reviews, 357 candid photos, and great deals for Melbourne, Australia, at TripAdvisor.


Filling Empty Stalls At QVM


There are few things more depressing for traders and probably customers than to see large areas of unoccupied market stalls. It sends a bad message and maybe it is time for all at QVM to find a solution.

Empty shops and stalls are a fact of life globally as retail venues shrink in size and number. The point is that we need to be flexible enough to present a cohesive retail offer without gaps or at least manage those gaps for minimum impact.

In retail shopping centres it has been traditional to cover up short term vacancies with hoardings – “Exciting new offer coming here.” At QVM we use black cloths and other fittings to curate areas and perhaps that type of flexible walling could be used more regularly.

The difficulty at QVM is the unpredictable nature of absences. Traders can give less than 12 hours notice of their intention to stay away from the market and that doesn’t give much time for corrective action. Even pre-advised absences may impact on different stalls in different places on different days. That is not impossible to plan for but it does need a process.

In the good old days, empty stalls were quickly filled by the scores of casuals seeking a spot. We don’t have that resource anymore (it was a desperately cut-throat system) and as much as some still say “just get more traders”, clearly that is easier said than done. 

There are still casual allocations going on at QVM and maybe we just need to be better at where we put them to achieve the no-gap look. For instance a gap in an aisle needs filling while a vacant corner just creates more pedestrian space and a different stall becomes the corner.

One trader has suggested a more community minded involvement with neighbours filling spaces during absences. That would need to be done in a professional manner and maybe with some equation for stall rental. Perhaps also community fittings could be made available to make larger displays more viable when spreading.

Another option is that we have a selection of fittings like playground equipment, seating or special displays that can be quickly positioned in vacant areas. Large screens showing the history of the Queen Victoria Market, or the latest trader offers, could be strategically placed within the market and create interest and energy. We have some traders producing excellent videos.

There are lots of options here, and many creative minds in the QVM family. What comes next?


Have Your Say – click here.
COMMENTS:
26/02/2018 07:42:39      Empty Stalls "The easy way is to Blame Everything and Everywhere out of the Market for Empty Stalls. Where is QVM Bureaucratic Approach of Administration Responsibility?
My experiment with a stall in C Shed finished in the debacle and financial ruin. DrizaBone, Akubra, Mick's Whips are Australian Icons which I try to bring to the Market within one stall: C105 under the name JLP OUTBACK. I did try very hard to modernize stand and improve the Shopping experience for our customers. From QVM Bureaucratic I have only negative stance reflected in one sentence: WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE, WE CAN'T BEND THE RULES JUST FOR YOU! Every new Initiative is classified as ""bending the rules.""

My experience in the Market told me, Main Rule on the Market is:
There are NO RULES. All depends if you are on the ""QVM's ShitList"" or not. (I had been told about this List last week)
The main job of QVM Administration is to tell you ""What you can't do,"" which is opposite   ""Let Us Help You How You Can Do It.""
The empty stall is a direct result of Incompetence of QVM Bureaucrats, which lost Connection with real life. As there is no strategy, every new employee comes and go, most of them without a trace.  Some of them left chaos! Very rare left something valuable.
Without strategic approach, The filling gap with New Stallholders is mostly duplication and finish with the disqualification of existing good stalls as a result. Usually, if someone valuable wants to leave Good Company, they ask him a simple question: IS THERE ANYTHING that WE CAN DO TO KEEP YOU IN?
As a result of neglect, we are witnessing the collapse of  Strong Company with Power to the Charity, left on the mercy of  Yearly Budget of City's Hall.

To the StallHolders:
Don't give up, with our New Focus on Customers Experience Approach we can do it. Retail is much older than our current struggle.

To the QVM Administration:
Every one of you should have one thing in mind: 
There is everything about Customers, and not about your Weekly Cheque and your EGO. Help us to Serve Them Better.

To the  Board of Directors and New CEO:
WALK! Come to the Ground Zero once in the month and Talk to Us. Don't let us to Communicate via email about everything;
You can't smell Temporarily Toilet or see inside an overflooded bin with used and unused paper (for some reasons tray can't hold it), on the top of M Shed.
You can't smell Tank of Rotten milk almost every Sunday afternoon opposite the same toilet. You can't hear comments from our Customers with clothes over the face passing through this area.


To understand us - smell it with us!” Mino
Thanks for your input Mino - Ed.

05/03/2018 17:35:36      Empty Stalls "If only half of what you are suggesting is accurate then we are in a worse shape than a Renewal can fix .
If you are about 90% correct ( never heard of the shit list )which I can believe then the mindset and failing philosophies of Management need to change yesterday.
I hate hearing stories of traders having a real crack but failing because Management can't recognize someone else's vision."
Thanks for your comments - Ed.

The ATO And Traders Connect


The much publicised visit to our market by Representatives of the Australian Taxation Office has been a talking point during the week and an opportunity to view an uncommon alliance.

The ATO is apparently out to identify small businesses who are not declaring income as well as educate in acceptable methods of record keeping.

A seminar has been listed for Thursday 15th March at Federation Square with a variety of times to assist those operating small businesses. There is also information on the ATO website to assist business owners, and if you cannot attend the seminar it may be of value to start online information gathering by going here - https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Other-languages/In-detail/Information-in-other-languages/Record-keeping-for-small-businesses/ and
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Building-confidence/In-detail/Protecting-honest-business/


There seem to have been a variety of approaches to traders this week with every trader receiving a leaflet detailing the ATO intent and the seminar program. Apparently every trader was asked for their ABN, or if no ABN, some form of identification. Some traders were actually asked about their record keeping practices on the spot while others were advised that they would be visited again towards the end of March and asked to complete a short questionnaire to clarify their understanding of ATO requirements.

A number of traders engaged in discussion with the ATO Representatives and subjects ranged from suitable software record keeping programs to what sandwiches would be supplied during the seminars. We can advise that sandwiches are unlikely, and speaking of advice, you are urged to contact all appropriate sources for how to best handle your tax obligations. In other words don’t stop at this article.

Have Your Say – click here.

Concentrating On The Game At QVM

We have all seen football matches being played while substantial ground renovations are going on. Players, organisers, and fans have to make some adjustments but nothing stops the game. It is by concentrating on the game that we overcome the obstacles around us.

QVM has many obstacles. We are in the middle of a retail revolution with a whole range of disruptions, we are starting a renewal, we have many opposing groups wanting their say in events, and now we have claims of misconduct in the workplace. Keeping our eye on the ball is not easy but it is imperative to moving forward.

And the ball is retail business – meeting the needs of our customers, day in, day out, and making sure that business comes first.  At QVM there is a belief that we don’t have that right. The QVM renewal (or the struggle to get past objections) is far too over-powering. Just like a football match that should go on in the background and not interrupt the game. Everybody has to make adjustments during a ground renovation – the fans, the ground owners, and the players. Willingness to adjust is a core ingredient to success. We just need to concentrate on the game.

Change creates uncertainty for traders. We might need to move, face new trading conditions, worry about what our competitors are getting, downsize, upsize, - the list goes on. But if we can just concentrate on the game maybe all those things aren’t so critical.

Management has to manage a complex changing environment. They have day to day running of the market, added obligations to renewal and other longer term matters including reporting to the Board and City of Melbourne. There are so many processes and so many levels of approval that these matters can become overwhelming but somehow we mustn’t lose sight of the game.

Analogies are wonderful. They enable creation of a word picture that makes so much sense but often glosses over enough of the detail to be of questionable value. If this analogy enables traders and management (and outside interest groups) to reflect on why we are here, then it will have served its purpose.

Now where has that ball gone?

By Greg Smith

Have Your Say - click here.
COMMENTS:
26/02/2018 07:12:35      Concentrating on the game        "The game to which you refer is to many our lively hood  however to keep your analogy flowing consider this .
Our game has many players ( Traders ) all of whom have a large stake invested in the future growth of the game.
Many people are also passionate about our game and view the play from different angles.
Just as important are the custodians of the game (Management )who are in charge of running the game ,implementing rules to  improve /maintain the game as well as the financial stability to run the game in order to maintain /improve the facilities for both players and spectators alike.
This is why any allegations must be investigated no matter how long ago.
With the retail game plan ever changing and the renewal goal posts are constantly moving and now news paper headlines of players contracts in question the integrity of our sport has never been more important."
Thanks for your input and love the flow - Ed

Misconduct At QVM


This is an article about misconduct at QVM that is not going to tell you much. It follows from an article in the Herald Sun earlier this week claiming improper activity by QVM employees, developers, suppliers, and government going back may years.

At the time of writing there are simply too many unresolved aspects to the matter and too many questions -
Was there improper activity?
Is there any proof?
Who is making the allegations?
What is the intent of revealing these matters right now?
Why is the email unsigned?
Why are documents being leaked to the press?
If there was corruption, how did it get this far?
Didn’t this all happen years ago?
What do we do to protect the future?

The matter has been referred to the police which is certainly the correct course of action. It will be resolved although the term “inconclusive” may end up in the final report. In the meantime it might be wise to keep our powder dry.

A trader joked this week that he was going to sell his shares in the Ten Network because he expected that viewing numbers for The Bold & The Beautiful would plummet in favour of the real life drama Intrigue At The Vic. It is a good joke except that the trashing of QVM has more serious implications for our role as a legitimate and useful retail entity. Publicity is not always good. 


Sunday 18 February 2018

Heard Under The Sheds – 18/2/2018


Can I Sell My Stall? – was the plea from a trader during the week and the answer was a clear yes, with a lot more to go through, but the first step would be to talk with your Precinct Manager.

Box Storage – we now have an extension for traders using M Shed. They will have until String Bean Alley is activated (late May, early June) to find alternative storage for their boxes.

Box Storage 2 – one trader was keen to examine alternative box designs so he could store boxes on his stall, but without some surety, box hire operators are apparently reluctant to commit to investment in new designs. Much more to be worked through on this subject.

ATO Visit – Australian Tax Office representatives will be attending the market in the coming week to talk to traders about book keeping practices. It might be helpful to have your ABN available when they call.

New Market Pavilion Planning Objections – an anonymous notice was circulated in the upper market on Saturday encouraging traders to lodge objections to the amended planning application for the New Market Pavilion. Traders are asking why this person or group is not identifying themselves and why the fuss over a pavilion which has already been approved and is now simply being amended to fit current needs.

New Lord Mayor – there seems to be some support for Sam Newman as Lord Mayor of Melbourne from football mad traders.

String Bean Alley – there is much discussion around the proposal to fully activate String Bean Alley and what opportunities might be available for traders. Will a fully activated SBA be able to act independently and perhaps trial different trading hours? Will its product mix reflect the wider market and include things like souvenirs? Given the quirky nature of retail trading will successful traders have a fallback to their internal stall if for some reason their business is not successful in that environment? Do we really need to wait for stall relocations before activating SBA?

Tightening Up On Market Rules – Apparently customers and traders have been complaining. Expect a bit of a focus on late starters and early packers as QVM tries to present a cohesive offer to all our customers and give every trader the opportunity of uninterrupted trading during advertised hours. 

Have Your Say – click here.

COMMENTS:
18/02/2018 18:16:37 Market Rules "What right does management have in telling stallholders
that they need to be in and out of the market at a certain time?
They have created the problem turning the market into a ghetto with empty stalls or should l say empty sheds and now they are complaining.....please spare me the crap.
Would it be possible for our new CEO to show some leadership and make some hard decisions regarding the running of the market and not the renewal for once.
We all know that the empty stalls /sheds is what management have wanted all along (it helps their renewal push),so lets not complain about traders leaving early."

Well that is quite a spray and it deserves a comprehensive response.
1.Management have an obligation to police in and out times. It is in obligation that traders insist on to ensure that every trader does the right thing by his neighbours. Traders who are willing to trade to advertised trading times should not be restricted by a neighbour who starts packing early. We all know that one early packer kills business.
2. Management have not created the problem of empty stalls. A retail revolution impacting every retailer across the globe and driven by a massive change in consumer sentiment and actions has created empty stalls.
3. Our CEO is new and you might say this is one of those hard decisions.
4. Management rely on rent for income and their existence. It is the singular pursuit of rent under past administrations that has created problems like duplication, but that is another story. Empty stalls help no one and certainly not management.
5. Every trader feels your pain. The level of business at the moment is appalling. It is all the one percenters like trading to advertised times that will help us survive these tough conditions and show our customers that we are here for the long haul.
Thanks for your input - Ed.

18/02/2018 21:54:47 New Pavilion "Not sure about your 3rd paragraph.
After 5 years in the planning or replacing we still do not know the stall size ,rental costs  who qualifies for these areas or the EOI details of the pavilion or String Bean Alley.

What we really crave are details and straight answers not running blindly in circles."
It is true that we do not have a lot of detail although I guess that will be difficult before the plans are approved. We do know that 30 traders will be accommodated in the NMP.... and from memory it will be 8 F&V and 22 Specialty Merchandise. We know that the theme will be fresh & seasonal, and Australian made. As for who qualifies for NMP and who qualifies for SBA, I guess that will be decided when applications are submitted and we see who puts their hand up. That sounds reasonable to me and hardly qualifies as running blindly in circles. I agree it would be helpful to have more guidance on SBA. Perhaps management can help us there.
Thanks for your contribution - Ed.

18/02/2018 22:12:41 Pavilion "5.5 Million for some 20 traders seems like a lot of money. In your article are you suggesting the Pavilion is for only displaced traders or is it open for all traders .I'm confused?" 
$5.5m (actually it is now $7m+) does seem a lot but I suspect all these costs  seem horrendous to us market traders - maybe not to a city planner. Let's not forget it is making a design statement as well as accommodating displaced traders. And apologies for not making it clear about who goes into the NMP. It will be current traders (no newbies) who meet the fresh & seasonal and Australian made criteria. So it might be current traders in J - M Sheds who will in turn make space for those actually displaced. Thanks for your contribution. - Ed
(PS to Renewal Team - please feel free to join in discussion.)

19/02/2018 12:57:37 Box Storage 2 "Greg, Your information is incorrect again. QVM Logistic Solutions had meetings with Ex CEO Malcolm McCullough and Management early last year. At that meeting we discussed the large interest we received in supplying alternative pods to stallholders. Again at that meeting we presented architectured drawings to Malcolm and these drawings with our presentation was received extremely well. At the conclusion of our meeting we were then given the OK to manufacture these pods with Malcolm agreeing that QVM would pick up all expenses. 
Four prototypes were completed months ago.
Maybe you can ask QVM why stallholders cannot use these pod/containers as they have been sitting outside our warehouse for months. 

Also you may mention to QVM that we are still waiting for them to pay our invoice." QVM Logistic Solutions 
I think that is pretty much what I was saying. You don't have the surety to proceed with new designs. - Ed.

19/02/2018 15:28:55 Pack up and down times "Greg l am a long term trader so I feel that l have seen good and bad times good and  indifferent admin. When you start to police people because times are bad with rules it makes misery even worse. Rules are meant for interpretation we are not school children. What we are witnessing is a global change many small businesses are being swallowed up by their larger competitors because they cannot compete. Policing is not the answer. The stall owner these days needs a product that is savvy on trend and unique. Your comments please."
You cover a few different things. There is no excuse for bad behaviour, and packing early is bad behaviour. It is bad for customers who turn up expecting to make a purchase and it is bad for the traders who are trying to do the right thing and show professional retail intent right up until closing time. 
Packing early is just reflecting (understandable) frustration and it is the sort of thing I growl at my Grandchildren for. We are not school children although this sort of behaviour is childish. It is just “spitting the dummy.”
You are correct about the global change and the difficulties created by larger competitors. Those factors need a strategy, but packing early is not a strategy. There are lots of things we need to do and many of those things have already been identified.
Finally, rules are NOT meant for interpretation. Rules are rules and the majority of traders want us to stick to the rules. We are all independent traders but there are times when we need to show cohesion if we are to get the best result for every single trader. Sticking to advertised opening and closing times is just one example. – Aren’t you sorry you asked for comment? – Ed.
                                                                                                            20/02/2018 19:25:29      Greg’s comments    "Of course I am not sorry for your comments that is what verbal exchange is all about do I agree with all your comments no that is my opinion as that is your opinion however if we do not have this exchange we’re would we be?on another matter I think that the pavilion cost for 20 traders is  rather high  7.7 million and rising could it not be simpler and just as functional? Your comments please "   
$7m+ does seem a lot but, to be honest, I'm happy to leave that to our city designers. They get it right most of the time. I guess we won't know how special it will be until it is built. BTW, I am pretty sure it is 30 traders. - Ed.

21/02/2018 10:39:16      smaller stalls            "Yesterday I was told by a couple of traders that theatrical you wrote some weeks back about a trader reducing the size of their stall to see if it might effect their business was intact you writing in the third person .
Misleading or mischievous .
I'm wondering if i've been reading other article about traders that are you as well??

Lift your game I thought you were better than that."

You are correct. I do happen to be the trader who is experimenting with stall sizes at present (it wasn't a theatrical piece by the way - visit my stall and have a look). I don't normally identify traders in articles and didn't on this occasion. Over the 6 years of writing articles I have used my own experiences only 3 or 4 times but I take your point and I am sorry if that disappoints you. I can assure there was nothing mischievous and no intent to mislead. Hopefully some useful information will come out of this experiment although the jury is still out. Thanks for your input - Ed

What’s Happening In Retail – 18/2/2018


NQR – Not Quite Right is not quite right and the 18 store supermarket network has been placed into voluntary receivership. NQR was previously rescued from receivership in 2009. The current supermarket price war and activity from the likes of Aldi have made the environment extremely competitive.

AVON To Exit Australia/NZ – the multi billion dollar cosmetics giant, Avon, is to leave the Australian/NZ market due to “no long term path to profitability”.

Articles Worth Reading:



Retail News One-liners – 18/2/2018


Retail News One-liners – 18/2/2018
1. JB HiFi announce record sales but share price down due Good Guys performance.
2. JLL says retail vacancy rates remain stable due “more realistic landlord expectations”.
3. Luxury brand, Hermes, posts strong growth based on Asia.
4. IGA wins international retailer award.
5. Richard Umbers quits as Myer CEO.
6. Dominos posts weakest half result in over 10 years.
7. Pandora sales rise by 12%
8. Pepsi reports flat sales, cuts jobs.
9. Baby Bunting experiences slower sales.
10. Nestle profit 2017 down 16%.
11. Vinomofo shortlisted in international awards.


QVM In The News - 18/2/2018



NEWS
The sexual harassment scandal that rocked the city council created a vacuum of leadership, distracting management and councillors trying to perform core functions. Key projects such as the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment have been affected, while issues like homelessness continue to fester.
NEWS
Following feedback from traders and customers, the City of Melbourne has revised the plans for the proposed redevelopment of the heritage Queen Victoria Market. According to the revision, the two-storey temporary Market Garden pavilion designed by Breathe Architecture will be reduced in size to ...
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Former federal MP Phil Cleary, who ran in 2016 on a ticket opposing the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment, said he would decide next week whether to run ... The Victorian Electoral Commission has confirmed that the poll will be conducted entirely by postal voting, with ballot packs mailed to voters ...
NEWS
Cheese & spinach borek at The Borek Shop, Deli Hall, Queen Victoria Market: A tour of Melbourne's 140-year-old market is worth the trip just for the superb, Victorian-era Deli Hall. It's even better if you pick up a Turkish borek for just AUD$3.50. The ladies can barely keep up, so be prepared to jostle for ...
NEWS
The original concept design for the Market Garden pavilion by Breathe Architecture. Image: Breathe Architecture. Revised plans for the redevelopment of Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market has seen a two-storey “Market Garden” pavilion by Breathe Architecture significantly reduced in size. The pavilion ...
NEWS
Researchers spoke to and observed vendors, workers, tourists and shoppers. The sheds at Queen Victoria Market will be dismantled and reconstructed during the redevelopment. Picture: Ian Currie. “Research participants identified with the market in highly personal ways — so changes to it will likely be ...
NEWS
"They're unique to Melbourne," says Karl Boening from the city's oldest and best-known van, American Doughnut Kitchen at Queen Victoria Market. "You can't even get them in other states." There are two major doughnut sellers in Melbourne, American Doughnut Kitchen and Dandee Donuts in the city's ...
NEWS
Traders at Queen Victoria Market are being asked to sign confidentiality agreements to find out where they will move during the redevelopment of the 140-year-old market. The move has angered some traders, who say delays and uncertainty over the five-year, $250 million redevelopment are hurting ...