Adelaide Market In Turmoil

Adelaide’s famous city market has had 3 CEO’s in less than two years and 2 of its 5 Board members have recently resigned. A recent stoush between The Adelaide City Market Board and its new CEO Claude Baxter, has resulted in the CEO taking a leave of absence.

Baxter has a track record in rejuvenating the South Melbourne Market and creating a broader product mix while introducing new concepts like bars to attract a younger demographic.

Adelaide’s Central market recently moved away from direct council control and was applauded for establishing its independence but obviously it has suffered teething problems.

The problems experienced by Adelaide Market are not new to many markets around the world and the answers to these problems just as difficult to find. The author of an article in Adelaide’s Advertiser listed three key areas of concern –

Infrastructure – compared with European Markets, Adelaide is dark and “a bit grotty”.

Stall Mix – food obsessed countries overseas focus on specialised produce rather multiple stalls selling the same selection.

Operating Hours – Regular overseas markets operate 6 days and don’t have the confusing variations in operating hours found at Adelaide.

Recent calls for the council to take back control of the market have been criticised by trader representatives who view the move to independant control as the correct move. Traders are currently considering opening on Sundays and extending midweek hours to engage with city workers.

Have Your Say – click here.

COMMENTS:
17/03/2014 15:06:01 Adelaide Market In Turmoil "Adelaide market is great, and much cleaner than Melbourne."

23/03/2014 08:33:52 Central market "The broader view of customers is that the last 6 months of the central market has never been better, the vibe is better, the markets looking better. I don't know about the politics but the experience is good."
23/03/2014 09:09:37 Adelaide Central Market "For clarification, the current CEO's name is Claude Baxter, and all board members have resigned, including the chairperson." D

Thank you D. Our apologies for getting Mr Baxter's name wrong (now corrected).- Ed.

Trader Has To Buy From Own Market

The title sounds a little over bearing and in fact it was the owners of Elliot's Cafe in London's famous Borough Market that proposed they would only sell produce from the market.

They saw their cafe as the perfect opportunity to highlight the wonderful fresh food at Borough Market with a swag of artisan food producers and a quality and variety not found elsewhere.

The lease of Elliot's Cafe actually states that they must buy the majority of their ingredients from the market around them and we think QVM could learn from the concept. In fact QVMAC Representative and fishmonger, George Milonas, has proposed this very idea for the food sold at our food festivals in Queen St.

QVM is one of the best sources of fresh food in the world so why not highlight the transition from fresh food to  ready to eat food right here on our doorstep?

Have Your Say - click here.

Start-up Guide For Traders Going Online

A number of traders have already expressed interest in a special 2 hour seminar about how to set up your business online. The seminar will be conducted at the Small Business Victoria Information Centre at 113 Exhibition St. on Wednesday 2^nd April at 9:30.

Here is the summary -  

The business opportunities presented by the online world are immense but knowing how to start out can be challenging.

Go Online: A Start up Guide for Business will enable you to make a more informed choice about how to set-up your online presence, and take advantage of the many financial, commercial and marketing benefits.

Is this seminar for me?

If you are a new or emerging business owner wanting to know how to harness the power of the Internet for your business, Go Online: A Start up Guide for Business covers everything you need to know to enter the digital age.

How will this seminar help my business? You will learn how to:

• Establish online activity and platforms such as websites, blogs, e-newsletters and social media
• Implement the essential steps to conduct business online effectively
• Assess the benefits, drawbacks and rules associated with being online
• Determine which elements of your business will benefit most from being online

 As part of Go Online: A Start up Guide for Business you will receive:

• A simple step-by-step guide to setting up your online presence and maximising the benefits of being online for your business
• Implementation and online content action plans that can be adapted to meet your own business needs
• Valuable networking opportunities with new and emerging business owners in your area
• A follow-up pack containing workshop slides, hints and tips and where to go for more information.

If you haven’t already expressed your interest in this seminar please contact Greg Smith on 0406 222 020 or Victoria Niewalda on 9320 5843

Trader Comments On Market Rules

A Trader Comments on the recent announcement by our CEO that market rules are to be enforced.

11/3/2014 1405Hrs - "Management need to be congratulated for declaring an end to the inconsistent standards that have existed in the market for so many years. Traders need to understand that to start eliminating reasons for bad trading results, we need to begin somewhere. 
The question remains? How will management police it when we already don't see enough presence of market management on the trading floor. What time period is management using? Will they continually suggest that it will take time? On the other end of the spectrum, why has it taken stall holders to keep complaining for management to respond to this problem. This has been a systemic issue for years. I am getting a little annoyed at the market management being reactive rather than proactive.

One suggestion to the market management. You have over 35 staff in the office.The market is at it's busiest in terms of number of traders and attendances on the weekend. Start taking your focus on everything else like external activities which includes the night market ,etc and start re-positioning resources towards the day market especially over the week-end.

STRATEGY: Break up the market into 3 lane areas from which two people from the market can patrol each area up until 10:00 am.This cannot be done in good faith and it cannot be done from closed doors."

Traders Input On Night Market

Valuable input from a Night Market trader - 

11/03/2014 01:12:51 Night Market "I have been trading at The Night Market for the past few years and have found it to be very successful - however I do acknowledge that my product 'fits' the criteria and is something that people will easily purchase whilst passing by with a Sangria in hand. I do feel for some stall holders who this is not the case for and am finding that the market is attracting a much younger crowd this year. 
I'm not sure how to encourage more people to 'buy' as yes, I do agree that it is purely a night out for drinks and meeting with friends for many. Many families will not attend the night market as they see it as a place for young ones and the crowds turn them off. 
Perhaps moving the food stalls around - and having some sort of set up like the Luna Night Market - where people walk around the entire market and not just one section..... who knows.
At the end of the day, stall holders also need to take ownership of their sales. In such an environment where there are thousands of people shopping each week, stall holders must embrace this opportunity and work on a product that is suitable for the retail environment they are in. I cater my stock differently for the night market as other design markets, knowing what sells and pushing these items and creating a unique shopping environment for people to get noticed, and to purchase from. "

Have Your Say - click here.

COMMENTS:
11/03/2014 14:51:36 Happy Nite mkt trader "Who was this person that was so articulate & inspiring??? Next time write your name so I can pat on the back for doing so well & succeeding at qvm!!" Rosalie

12/03/2014 1730 "Great to hear from you Rosalie" - Ed.

Oops! A Technical Glitch

Have Your Say has been out of action for a couple of days. Our apologies for the glitch. If you have something to say we are now back in operation and awaiting your input - Ed.

Have Your Say - click here.

Latest Retail News – 7/3/2014

Latest Retail News – 7/3/2014

1. Retail Food Group says 18% rise in half year profit due largely to pizza business.
2. Wild Cards & Gifts 41 stores sold to UK newsagency and book retailer, W.H.Smith.
3. Australian newsagency chain, Supanews, predicts $3-$5 million online sales in first year.
4. Retail Food Group (RFG) coffee chain, Michel’s Patisserie, named Coffee Shop of the Year in Roy Morgan’s Customer Satisfaction Awards.
5. UK coffee giant, Costa Coffee, plans big Asian expansion.
6. Beacon Lighting prepares for share market debut.
7. MYOB introduces new mobile payment app for small & medium businesses.
8. Chemmart Pharmacy introduces online ordering based around local stores.
9. US fashion retailer, Old Navy, opens first store in China.
10. New Indian fast food chain serves meals sourced from national restaurants on a conveyer belt in 90 seconds.
11. NAB says groceries and liquor provide strong growth in online sales.
12. Italian food supplier, Salt Meats Cheese, look for permanent Sydney location following success of pop-up store.
13. Funtastic flags first half profit drop.
14. US fashion icon, J.Crew, being considered for sale to Japanese retailing giant, Fast Retailing.
15. Apple being accused of shifting untaxed Australian profit to tax haven.
16. David Jones to stock UK footwear brand Kurt Geiger.
17. Australian coffee chain, Di Bella, to relaunch in India.
18. Coles plans $1.1 billion expansion in Australia over 3 years.

Good News On Retail Sales

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported that Australian retail turnover rose 1.2% in January 2014 compared to January 2013. This followed 5.7% year on year growth to December.

Department stores scored well in January with 2.6% sales growth while restaurants and cafes also performed well. National Retail Association CEO, Trevor Evans, warned that while the overall results were encouraging, growth remained fragile with large variations in the performance of various sectors.

Some commentators have suggested that the Federal Governments, Schoolkids Bonus may have assisted results.

Our Market Is Surrounded By Construction

A view from under the sheds at Queen St. shows the large number of buildings currently under construction nearby. In just one camera shot we can see 5 cranes within a David Warner lofted drive or an Adam Scott tee shot of the market.

We understand that many of these buildings are apartment towers and adding to our source of market customers is always welcome.

Is QVMs Wednesday Night Market Becoming A Night Club?

Is it still accurate to call the QVM Night Market a "market" or is it becoming more and more a night "club"?

This question has been raised by one of our senior market participants and echoes the sentiments expressed by a night trader who complained recently on this website about disappointing trading conditions. This trader said "I'm 40% down on last year’s figures and believe that the night market has become, and is promoted as, a food/alcohol/ music night........ I hope QVM can put more emphasis on traders and less on a night out."

Part of QVMs responsibility is to maximise crowds. But it is not just as simple as that. There is also a need for the retail environment to support its traders and getting the right crowd to attend is important. If the customer expectation is for a night of food, alcohol and music with general merchandise stalls purely as a side show, we may need to adjust the offer.

QVM has been called many things - a Melbourne icon, a place for the people, a tourists delight, a foodies heaven, an important cultural centre, and a community hub. All those descriptions are accurate, but essentially QVM is a place for retail (and wholesale) business. It is that business that provides income for QVM in the form of rents and profits for traders and their families. That is what drives our market.

In fairness, the official QVM Night Market web page appears to suggest a balanced offer –

“The original Night Market, Queen Victoria Market’s Night Market is the place to meet every Wednesday night for global street food, vintage fashion, eclectic wares, wine bars and live music.

Set beneath the historic sheds, you will find limited edition pieces ranging from jewellery, fashion and accessories to homewares, ceramics, prints and more! The Night Market also boasts one of Melbourne’s most impressive food line ups with over 60 foodies serving up street food from across the globe.”

However, if our correspondents are correct, the reality of why customers come to the night market falls short of those words. Perhaps we need to tweak the offer at the Night Market to give more support to non-food traders. The QVM Night Market has been a success on many levels. It is important that all traders contributing to the market are able to enjoy some of that success.

Have Your Say – click here.

Yesterday And Today

More on the history of our great market. From 1879 through the 1960's to 2014 not a lot has changed about the buildings at QVM but the fashions and the vehicles are certainly different as this photo combination shows. 

Is The New F Shed Shop Really New?

Many traders have commented on the new sheepskin footwear shop in F shed and asked whether the introduction of another outlet in this category is simply repetition.

Sheepskin footwear, ugg boots, moccasins form part of a very important category at QVM. Every tourist who has passed by the upmarket boutiques in places like London and Paris, and even at our own airports, with their $300 sheepskin boots can only marvel at the prices and variety on offer at QVM. It is a category we do very well and there are a number of sheepskin traders throughout the top end of QVM. But do we need another outlet? Is this new shop going to enhance the QVM experience?

We have been advised that the concept on display at the F shed shop is unique. Uniqueness can be displayed in many ways. Ideally for QVM it would come in the form of a totally new product although it can also be displayed through an exciting new presentation or merchandising idea – something that raises the bar, creates a point of difference, excites customers, and makes QVM a more attractive place to shop.

It is early days for this new shop. We are told there is more to do and we will be watching progress with great interest.

Have Your Say – click here.

Entrepreneurs Convention

Bizz Buzz are offering free attendance at this Saturday’s Entrepreneurs Convention in Melbourne.

Contributors will include –

·        Scott Farquhar  - Co-Founder of Atlassian and #1 on the BRW Young Rich List

·        Ruslan Kogan – Founder of Kogan Technologies and #4 on the BRW Young Rich List

·        Lisa Messenger - Founder of The Collective Magazine and The Messenger Group, Lisa has shaken up the publishing industry, publishing over 400 books through The Messenger Group. Lisa is a global entrepreneur and has 300 people working for her around the world

·        Tom Potter – Founder of Eagle Boys Pizza with over 200 stores across Australia and New Zealand

·        Justine Flynn – Co-Founder of Thankyou Water, a social enterprise that exists for the sole purpose of funding projects in developing nations.

·        Matthew Michalewicz – Co-Founder of SolveIT Software which grew from zero to 180 staff and $20m in revenue

·        Brad Smith – Founder of braaap, two-time Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year and four-time winner of Australian Retail Business of the Year

The convention is this Saturday, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is free through Bizz Buzz, but it is only for young entrepreneurs and you have to be under 40. (Unfortunately I just miss out – Ed.)

Here is the link – Entrepreneurs Convention.

Comments From Traders

Here are a couple of comments received over the last few days. Thank you to both traders for giving us interesting input.

03/03/2014 21:00:07 The Night Market "Ive just completed my second night market ( I choose not to do the extended season because i made little money last year and felt the same was going to happen this year).I'm 40% down on last years figures and believe that the night market has become and is promoted as a food/alcohol/ music night. When you have upwards of 20,000 people at any other market  you make good money but at The Night Market I struggled to cover my costs and I.m not alone. Many traders struggled this season and many are not doing the extended season.
I hope QVM can put more emphasis on traders and less on a night out. Also there needs to be toilets at the Peel Street end of the market. Thanks."

03/03/2014 12:13:51 Rules "I agree with this new push to enforce Rules and clean up the Market it is long overdue the market looks tired and run down so do a lot of traders (including us) If we all make an effort we will get results it is not hard to clean up our act and I intend to start on our stall ASAP. As for rules I hope the message gets across to those who have no respect for other traders and there are plenty out there. But there are also a lot of very good hard working traders who deserve a better deal than the one they are getting now. " JR E shed

Have Your Say - click here

Free Web Opportunity For Traders

If you have thought about getting a professional web presence for your business but haven’t been sure where to start, we may have the answer for you.

QVM have organised a free 2 hour seminar through Small Business Victoria called Go Online: A Start Up Guide For Business. The seminar goes through the various steps  of setting up a website, engaging your customers via social media, and establishing a framework for handling online business.

This is a good starting point for traders interested in going online, it is run by The Victorian Government, and it is free. The seminar can be conducted after market hours or on a non-trading day and it will happen during March. If you would like to be part of this free offer please telephone Greg Smith on 0406 222 020 or email generalmerchandisetraders@iinet.net.au

Have Your Say – click here.

Confessions Of A Rule Breaker

From Trader Greg Smith - 

As a QVMAC Representative I am conscious of trying to do the right thing and setting a good example. So when I read our CEO’s list of 10 key market rules and I realised I was breaking one of them, it came as a bit of a shock.

You see, I am a PE Trader but I am not always at my stall. My absences are usually because I am working on trader matters and of course that is a very honourable task. My wife, Sue, looks after the stall in my absence and market rules do allow members of the stallholders immediate family to act as stallholders but only with management approval. I have today mailed in an official request to the Manager of the market requesting that my wife be allowed to act as stall holder in my absence. If you stop seeing me around the market or I stop contributing to this website you will know why.

In the meantime I have been suitably chastised by a quote from eminent author and thinker Guy Kawasaki.

 “Smart, well-meaning people get it wrong when they start believing that the world owes them something and that the rules are different for them.” – Guy Kawasaki

I guess the same applies to anybody that breaks rules intended for the good of the whole market community.

Yesterday And Today

There is much history associated with our Queen Victoria Market and reminders of yesterday are never far away. The brick arches shown behind Annettes beautiful soap flowers in J shed are the same arches shown in the vintage photograph which we estimate was taken in the early part of the 1900s.

Have Your Say - click here.

QVM To Enforce Rules

CEO, Jan Cochrane-Harry has advised that 10 key rules are to receive management focus as part of a campaign to make QVM “a place that is safe, appealing to customers, and fair to all.”

The move has been partly brought about by trader complaints that some traders were presenting the market in a poor light to our customers with untidy presentation and inconsiderate behaviour. An explanation has been posted on the QVM Traders Hub and a special Trader’s Bulletin distributed over the weekend throughout the market.

Following are the essential elements of the rules to be enforced. Management had discussions with QVMAC Representatives prior to their release.

The top 10 rules are:
• Trading within your stalls – You must trade within your approved stall lines. This includes signage, spreads, the positioning of your product and your fixtures – including storage boxes.
• Storage Boxes – Traders must not leave storage boxes in stalls that are not their own. Photographs will be taken as proof of the offence.
• Vehicles under the sheds – must be parked within your approved area or in an adjoining laneway, or parked off-site, and all vehicles and forklifts under the sheds can only be moved within the approved times.
• Traders in E-shed are required to trade both ways with full stock in view and storage boxes along the sides only.
• Set up and Pack Down – All permanent fixed-location traders must be setting up or ready to trade by QVM advertised customer hours. Pack down is not to be visible to customers before QVM set closing hours, and is to be fully completed 2 hours after closing time. (The only exceptions will apply to traders who have been at the market for more than 50 years and have  specific permission, and are accompanied for early exit on special occasions).
• Traders with a PE license are to be present as the merchant / trader on site for the entire trading day as specified in PE agreements. (Any particular issues or special approved absences of an ongoing nature need to be discussed with management).
• Cleanliness – All traders, including stalls and shops, are to respect good housekeeping standards and guidelines. This includes within the stall boundaries and in adjoining public spaces, walkways and service lanes. Hanging signs must be clean.
• Presentation standards – Tarps (used for shelter along the back of stalls that adjoin service lanes), and trestle table covers must not be visible to customers as ripped, frayed or damaged. They must be replaced if they are torn, old, dirty, or holey. Hessian covers for F & V must be replaced periodically. Stallholder awnings must be in good working order, or they will be removed and the cost passed on to the relevant trader. We will speak to the offending traders again one last time before we remove them.  The standard and quality of presentation has a big impact and when improved will help attract more customers and encourage them to spend more.
• Overstaying on-street car parking – QVM staff are now authorised by Council to book cars which are illegally parked and will be doing so from this weekend (following ample notice which has been given to offending traders).
• ‘No-shows’ – Any trader who is not expecting to trade on a particular day must notify their box-hire company (if relevant) by 6 pm the day before so that their boxes are NOT delivered to their stall. They must also notify QVM by 6 am on the day so that their stall can be re-allocated.

Have Your Say - click here.

COMMENTS:
03/03/2014 12:13:51 Rules "I agree with this new push to enforce Rules and clean up the Market it is long overdue the market looks tired and run down so do a lot of traders (including us)    If we all make an effort we will get results it is not hard to clean up our act and i intend to start on our stall ASAP  as for rules I hope the message gets across  to those who have no respect for other traders and there are plenty out there.   But there are also a lot of very good hard working  traders who deserve a better deal than the one they are getting now. " JR   E shed

Latest Retail News – 2/3/2014

Latest Retail News – 2/3/2014

1. Westfield Groups profit down 6.7% but shareholders dividend raised.
2. Coles defends fuel discounts as ACCC commences legal action.
3. ABS says more than 75% of Australia’s 15 million internet users made an online purchase in 2012-13.
4. Japanese skin care brand, Fancl, to close its Singapore stores.
5. Athlete’s Foot profit rises 9.2% for 6 months to December.
6. PayPal introduces fingerprint login for new Samsung Galaxy 5 users.
7. Luxury Italian footwear retailer, Tods, to open first Australian store in April.
8. Chinese consumer confidence reaches record high.
9. Prime retail rents in Hong Kong are 3 times those of Paris and London.
10. Good Food guide declares Queen Victoria Market “caffeine central” with latest opening of Market Lane Coffee in deli hall.
11. Bonds plans more Bonds Kids stores following successful Doncaster opening in September.
12. Flight Centre lifts first half profit by over 20% with strong performance in Australia.
13. Sony to close two-thirds of its US stores.
14. Woolworths profit up 14.5% for 6 months to December with food and liquor strong but general merchandise down.
15. Harvey Norman reports 36% profit improvement year on year.

Age Article On QVM

Today's article in The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/traders-fear-20140301-33swo.html) starts off with an uncomfortable summary of QVM decline, the loss of the "farmers market" ingredient, the disappearance of local manufacturing and its "back door" supply source for traders, the sameness of cheap Chinese made goods, and the failure to address modern customer demands for convenience and availability.

Rigorous analysis of  QVM can be very positive and that is what the current renewal process is all about. The article paints a healthy picture of QVM annual returns to city council but equally makes the point that the market needs to be seen as a "social enterprise", not just a commercial one. That is a point that may be lost on some of our Board members. We can expect continuing debate on the role of a "public retail market".

Like all summaries of complex problems this article misses the target on a couple of issues and the suggestion that rents start at $20.50 per day is misleading given that the average of rent and associated costs in the top end of the market is around $2600 per month. However, it is still true that the market can be a low cost entry point for new retailers and that our role as a business incubator is an important one.

Renewal at QVM is a very exciting prospect and articles like this will enhance the process of debate. We particularly like the introduction of words like "grittiness" and "anarchy" when describing our QVM. Somehow they ring true. Hopefully we will soon be adding words like "healthy", "dynamic", and "profitable".

Have Your Say – click here.