John Lewis Christmas Advertisement

UK retailer, John Lewis, have become famous for their moving Christmas TV advertisements and 2014 is no exception. Enjoy!

Latest Retail News - 9/11/2014

Latest Retail News – 9/11/2014
1. Payless Shoes bounces back from administration.
2. Blind woman takes legal action against Coles claiming website inaccessible.
3. Westfield reports sales increases across Australia and NZ retail centres.
4. British retailer, Marks & Spencer reports lower fashion sales due warm weather.
5. Coffee Club to roll out another 20 stores before Christmas.
6. Singapore electronics retailer taken to court after complaints from tourists.
7. New Melbourne brewery, Barrow Boys, named after QVM workers.
8. Australian e-tailer, Shoes of Prey, partners with US department store.
9. Ralph Lauren takes over 15 windows at Harrods to launch new range.
10. Country Road creates dedicated space for men shoppers.
11. Myer drops “My store” tag in latest campaign.
12. Noni B recruits former head of Bras N Things as CEO.
13. Woolworths reports higher quarterly sales.
14. New Apple Pay concept resisted by some US retailers.
15. Wesfarmers denies it is eyeing off AMP.
16. McDonalds plans new restaurant every fortnight in Thailand during 2015.
17. Toys’R’Us fined for unsafe product.
18. Flight Centre warns it will struggle to achieve sales targets.
19. Sumo Salad expands into US market.
20. Dominos upgrades earnings forecast after good first quarter.
21. Gloria Jean’s coffee chain sold.
22. Australian retail sales return to positive growth.

Comment On 1 Year Renewals

From one of our traders -

09/11/2014 08:02:09 SL License "So management have decided that our businesses are not worth anything. How can anyone be expected to sell a business with only a 1 year lease with no options. Management says if we sell, we sell our business not our stalls, but with no goodwill margin in the sale, that's just unfair.
This management claims to be working with us, but it feels more and more like their plan is to make all if traders feel like it would be easier to walk away, that way they are able to go ahead with their plans ( the ones they claim to not have, but more things keep pointing towards they have an agenda and plans in place.)
With purchase of Munros corner, surely the excuse of redevelopment is not a fair reason behind saying 1 year lease only, as the redevelopment now needs to be reconsidered. So in a couple if years time when the new plans are released, will the market have been shrunk by all of the non renewal of the 1 year leases." Disappointed in management.

Have Your Say - click here. 

Bold New Face For Traders 3

This is the third example we have published of a trader who has taken advantage of QVM financial assistance to make his stall a whole lot more identifiable to customers with a prominent banner.

We often talk about the 3 seconds you have to influence your customers as they walk pat your stall. Without the sign, this stall could be missed as just another gift outlet. With the sign, this stall becomes "Purse World" and the customer doesn't have to waste his 3 seconds working out what he is looking at. It also becomes an easily identifiable pointer for when the customer wants to find this trader again.

Contact the office if you would like to arrange your own unique identifier.

Have Your Say - click here.

Trader Features In Sydney Morning Herald

This Sydney Morning herald article describes String Bean Alley as more like an intimate craft or farmer’s market than the rest of QVM.

The article goes on to describe the involvement of Petal’s Julie Griffiths in creating her range of hand and body lotions, essential oils and a range of teas.

Very nice exposure for one of our traders including a link to the Petal website. Can we just point out (again) that having a website increases you potential exposure to a broader range of customers and when your website is posted in main-stream media that exposure is likely to generate sales.

Have Your Say – click here.

Mother Nature Flips At QVM

Here is a sight you won't see in the controlled atmospheres of Chadstone, Southland, or Doncaster shopping centres. 

Saturday afternoon's freak weather change was heralded by a very strong gust of wind from the west which was just perfectly aligned down F shed where this trader's storage box happened to be.

Mother Nature took seconds to blow the heavy storage box on to its back but traders decided that a forklift was needed to get it back up again. Aaaah ...... the joys of open-air market trading.

Have Your Say - click here.

Therry St Market Map

A number of traders who are being relocated to Therry St.during the Melbourne Music Festival have expressed concern about whether their customers will be able to find them.

We have prepared this market map which shows where the special Therry St. market will be held and advises the opening hours. Traders can right click on the map, press "copy", and transfer the graphic to a word processor or similar program for printing out and handing to their customers, or simply email this page to their customers.

Source New Fashion At Melbourne Fair

The Australian International Sourcing Fair opens at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 18^th November.

The fair will feature international fashion and textile suppliers looking for customers in Australia and is co-located with the China Clothing and Textiles Expo 2014. Traders can find more details here – www.sourcingfair.com.au

A More Positive Retail Outlook

According to the Financial Review, retailers are moving on from cost-cutting and engaging in new store rollouts in a positive reaction to business growth. In a sense QVM is doing the same thing with its renewal program.

 A survey in September and October showed that 70% of retailers are expected to open new Bricks'n'Mortar stores in 2015. This is up from 55% the same time last year when cost-cutting and margin protection were seen as priorities. Despite competition from online and the new international arrivals, particularly in fashion, retailers are looking to change their strategies to a more positive outlook. No doubt the success of concepts like Melbourne's new Emporium centre has contributed to the optimism. It is not clear if "new stores" refers to adding stores, or includes some refurbishing or relocating, but the emphasis is on "new".

QVM's renewal will utilise our existing iconic buildings but with a completely new look at market retailing. In fact, isn't the Draft Master Plan due out this month? We wait with great expectations.

Have Your Say - click here.

Could Co-operation Be Gaining The Upper Hand?

QVM Traders have been subjected to more than their fair share of issues in recent weeks. First the rent review in the Dairy Hall, then the Music Week relocation, the introduction of a new Sunday market in C shed, followed by lease restrictions for SL licenses, a craft market in L shed that will impact on other traders, and the list goes on.

All these measures have the potential to strain management/trader relations and yet they seem to be moving along with a fair degree of co-operation. That is not to say there are not some disgruntled traders and some frustrated management staff but this would be expected in any business upheaval. The saving grace is probably that many of these measures are aimed at improving business levels and have the potential to work our market through the toughest period of retailing in almost a century.

We don't wish to pontificate too much on this subject, nor to poison the discussion with unwarranted optimism or negativism but let's just say that both traders and management deserve some plaudits for the level of co-operation that has been shown so far.

Have Your Say - click here.

How Can Traders Compete?

A simple email from our local supermarket has caused quite a consternation in our household. The email contained a list of products on special and looked like any generic catalogue you might receive in the mail. It seemed innocent enough until my wife realised that she had actually purchased each of those products over recent weeks. She uses a dedicated membership card at this supermarket and the retailer was using data collected at the checkout to tempt us with specials that we would most likely be interested in because we had purchased them before.

We are all familiar with retailers promoting to us through print, tv, email, and now social media. The methods have evolved over recent years to take on new digital avenues for communication but there is another element to the process and it is a bit scary. It is called Big Data and it relates to the huge amount of information that is being collected by retailers to boost their connection with customers.

Before traders start stressing over the difficulties of competing with every new innovation in retailing we should point out that the experience of one of the big boys in global retailing questions the value of Big Data. Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket, was acknowledged as the leader in customer research, analytics and loyalty programs. Tesco was the king of digital and yet its fall from grace following a long list of disastrous, highly publicised gaffs has severely tarnished its reputation and resulted in the recent resignation of its Chairman. One analyst has commented that Tesco may have collected a lot of data about its customers, but its competitor's slightly lower prices and simple uncomplicated retailing appear to be winning the day.

This is a technological age. Not even QVM traders can avoid the need to engage with customers in new ways, perhaps with something as simple as having a page on the QVM website, or your own web site, or engaging in social media. But if Tesco's competitors are a guide, we don’t have to get too sophisticated. Being price competitive, keeping it simple, and offering great service appear to be the three critical ingredients for success.

Have Your Say - click here.

Employment Decline Could Impact On Christmas Sales

Activity in the key services sector of Australia's economy fell to a 15 month low in October. The trend is concerning economic commentators and points to a difficult period for retailers this Christmas. The Performance of Services Index compiled by the Australian Industry Group fell 1.8 points to 43.6 during October.

Services account for more than three quarters of employment in the country and includes key areas like insurance and finance which have shown sharp declines in activity. Slow growth in disposable income along with a flat labour market is likely to see hesitant spending this Christmas period as employees become more concerned about their future.

Commentators look to the services sector for the first signs of economic growth and that is unlikely to occur in the short term. QVM Traders will need to look for every advantage as we battle for limited disposable income in the lead up to Christmas.

Have Your Say - click here.

Oops!....We Lost Some Trader Comments

We have lost two trader comments that were posted in the last couple of days. The glitch occurred as  we changed over to a new version of the program that handles the Have Your Say component of the website. 
We do know that one comment referred to licenses and the other to the cleaning of the K and L shed roofs. Have Your Say is back in operation again. Would those two traders please re-post their comments. Our apologies for the stuff-around. - Ed

Have Your Say - click here.

Where Is The Wi-Fi?

This article is being typed in the QVM Food Court courtesy of free Government wi-fi. The State Government announced "Australia's largest free public Wi-Fi network" this week with Queen Victoria Market one of the first to go live. The Government is spending $6.7m over 5 years and as our spot check showed today the availability at QVM has its limitations.

In fact the official blurb says "The first three sites to go live are the Queen Victoria Market (Queen Street/Victoria Street entrance)". That reference to the entrance at cnr Queen and Victoria streets is relevant because wi-fi in the Food Court is excellent and the signal extends back along Queen St. towards Therry St. but disappears as soon as your step under the sheds in the top end or enter the Diary Hall.

Public wi-fi is an essential component of our market as the influence of communication and particularly social media gains ground (see our article earlier this week on the significant contribution of wi-fi to Canberra's Floriade festival). Hopefully the rollout will soon extend to the rest of our market so all our customers (and the traders they support) can enjoy its benefits.

Have Your Say - click here.

Melbourne Cup Market Tips

Guru Pete has not been available to give his Melbourne Cup tip (it is not too late Pete – give us a call) so we have put together a few tips for Cup Day that are based purely on potential connection between the horses name and life as a trader at QVM. Call them omen bets if you like.

We don’t wish to encourage any traders into the questionable pursuit of gambling but if you are determined to have a bet on Cup Day this may be as good a way as any of picking a winner. Remember these are fictional tips based on horses names that may have some connection with QVM. They are all on the Melbourne Cup meeting at Flemington on Tuesday. Here goes –

Race 3 No.13 “LUCKS A FORTUNE” – relevant to market trading as much as horse racing.

Race 5 No. 3 “BULLPIT” – QVM on bad days.

Race 6 No. 7 “FEELS LIKE HOME” – QVM on good days.

Race 7 No. 11 “MUTUAL REGARD” – The relationship between management and traders (these are fictional tips).

Race 8 No. 11 “LIGHTINTHENITE” – in honour of the night market.

Race 9 No. 11 “TARGET IN SIGHT” – Renewal is just around the corner.

And it is purely coincidence that the last three tips are for number 11, or is that an omen as well.

Have Your Say – click here.

Special Therry St Marquee Gets Full Treatment

Traders displaced by the Melbourne Music Week event were given relocation options including a "showcase" marquee in Therry St. Plans have now been finalised for the marquee and it even has its own marketing identity (see above).

Here is a blurb from the QVM website -

"Discover a host of shopping treasures at the brand new pop-up street market taking over Therry Street for nine exciting days in November.

The Therry Street Market features a curated selection of traders from the famous Queen Victoria Market. Soak up the sun and enjoy shopping in the heart of Melbourne, where you’ll find arts and craft, jewellery and clothes, scarves and fabrics – a delightful selection of gifts for the whole family.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get out in the sunshine whilst shopping to some summertime beats.

The Therry Street Market will also be open Wednesday 19 November as part of the Summer Night Market. That’s two great markets on at the same time!"

Traders operating in the marquee attended a meeting with management on Tuesday and many of the finer details were thrashed out. This is a very interesting exercise and could have implications for future trading arrangements at QVM. How will customers respond to a "pop-up" market? Will it engender good business for traders?

Have Your Say - click here.

QVM Lays Down The Law On Vehicles and Boxes.

Earlier this year QVM Management announced its intention to tidy up our market by restricting indiscriminate vehicle parking and prohibiting the use of empty stalls as storage locations for vehicles or boxes.

Generally the move was welcomed by traders looking to improve our public appearance and there have even been a number of complaints from traders that the rules were not being enforced. The notice distributed to traders over the weekend indicates that action will now be taken.




However, like many market issues, it is difficult to apply a broad brush solution. Parking vehicles in empty stalls or outside stall boundaries probably shouldn't occur under any circumstances (happy to hear of any exceptions to that view).

But box storage has a few more complications. There are approved box storage areas although obviously not enough to meet demand. Just take a look at the North side of String Bean Alley on any trading day. If that area is not available for box storage then more traders are going to have to find box space within their stalls. Many traders believe that is too difficult, particularly if they are in smaller stalls such as on the short side of K shed or some of the walkway stalls.

The Rules For Stallholders booklet is quite specific - Rule 18:12 "Stallholders must store all storage boxes within the confines of their stalls. Any storage boxes left on aisles, footpaths, lanes, streets, or parking areas may be removed by the market operator and all reasonable removal costs incurred must be paid by the stallholder." At the same time, the market recognises special storage needs outside the formal rules by providing box storage facilities in M shed on trading days. Like any successful issue resolution there is a way through this dilemma. Let's hope it is a smooth transition.

Have Your Say - click here.

More On Special Christmas Craft Market

The special Thursday Christmas Craft Market will impact on some traders in RL who have historically taken space in adjoining stalls. See our post - http://www.victraders.com/2014/10/christmas-craft-market-in-l-shed-will.html

A meeting of traders and management was organised after last Thursday's market to thrash out a new arrangement that will accommodate existing traders in RL as well as the new temporary market traders.

All reports suggest that those traders who attended the meeting were able to negotiate suitable arrangements.

Have Your Say - click here.

QVM Clean-up

Traders may have noticed that the girders under K and L sheds have been cleaned after many years of being coated in dust, dirt and bird droppings. In fact it is over 2 years ago that the filthy state of the roof structure was highlighted on this website. It is good to see clean, shiny girders and trusses again.

Have Your Say - click here.

Cash Giveaway Promotion

Further to our previous post we have already received a few comments regarding the cash giveaway promotion proposed by one of our traders. See http://www.victraders.com/2014/10/traders-promotion-idea-taken-up-by.html

1.     If we are giving out tickets to customers why not find out their postcode and conduct some useful market research at the same time?

2.     The draw is to be held at 1:00pm each day but perhaps we could encourage longer shopping times by announcing anytime between 12:00 and 2:00pm.

3.     We could hand out registration forms that would enable absent  customers to receive a prize.

4.     Gift vouchers given to winners could be stamped to enable tracking of spending.

Any more thoughts?

Have Your Say - click here.