Sunday, 27 October 2019

QVM In The News - 27/10/2019


But one of the city's most ambitious and controversial projects to date is to convert the 1.5 hectare open-air car park at Queen Victoria Market into ...
FOOD Queen Victoria Market's Deli Lane becomes an indulgent hub for the Holey Cheese Festival, with pop-up traders selling toasties, traditional ...
“We're proud that Queen Victoria Market went plastic bag and straw free in May this year.” “The ban has received overwhelming support with 80 per ...
The Queen Victoria Market will also turn into a cheese-lovers dream this month when the Holey Cheese Festival returns for its second year.
Fourth generation gelato maker Sam Navagero and his wife Ranjit buy fresh fruit, nuts and dairy from neighbouring traders at the Queen Vic Market to ...
... continue to express concerns over the City of Melbourne's proposed road and traffic changes as part of its renewal of Queen Victoria Market (QVM).
Facebook Twitter Flag as irrelevant 
If you follow Google Maps to Queen Victoria Market, it will deposit you in the midst of the retail sheds where most stalls sell clothing and trinkets to ...
On the southeastern edge of the continent, gracefully aging Victorian ... A local's guide to the best bites at the revered Queen Victoria Market ...
Like its grand Victorian facade, the name “Queen Victoria Market” evokes something regal. But step over the threshold and you'll be greeted by a ...
Watch as Queen Street is transformed into a bustling Thessalonikian ... Takes place at the Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne.
Melbourne drivers could see the charge during commutes through the Hoddle Grid, Docklands, Southbank and Queen Victoria Market. But those ...


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Sunday, 20 October 2019

Heard Under The Sheds – 20/10/2019




Heard Under The Sheds – 20/10/2019

A child was seen thumping his fists on an ATM in String Bean Alley saying “Give me the money”.

One of our Traders visiting Europe was surprised to find that the reported closure of shops in Poland on Sundays has in fact been overwhelmingly adopted by retailers. Apparently the opportunity for an overworked society to have a day of rest is proving popular with many. Our Trader thinks it is an interesting counter to the global push for 24/7 access for customers.

A Trader says we should change the name of our current season. Un-predictable weather and sales suggest Spring should now be called Bipolar.

A customer took a young Labrador dog into the meat hall as part of his special training as an assistance dog and said it was like taking a child to Disneyland for the first time. The sights and smells were a little overwhelming.

Another Trader noted that Chapel St. retailers are advertising about their pet friendliness on radio claiming the first and largest shopping precinct to welcome pets. Regular visitors to QVM would know we have been doing that for a long while.

A Trader asks -  “If we required 36 hours notice of single day absences would that make it easier for market staff to curate our market and fill the gaps?”

Who are the people with iPads interviewing customers around the market?


Our GIF shows the Night Market seating for Hawker 88 at 4:30 before opening and then at 7:00 with a good crowd in. (Thanks for the photos Mino)

A customer asked a Trader where he bought his breakfast each morning. The Trader started to direct him to the normal food outlets when the customer stopped him and said "No, I want to know where you buy your breakfast. I reckon the experienced Traders will know where the best value food is."

Have Your Say - click here.

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Latest Retail News – 20/10/2019


Latest Retail News – 20/10/2019
1. Myer to open Harry Potter store in Melbourne.
2. Bunnings to launch Marketlink online in November.
3. Salvos, Vinnies, and Red Cross team up with store in major Sydney Shopping Centre that accepts clothing to reduce textile landfill.
4. Coles, Aldi and Woolworths pledge to end customer abuse of staff.
5. Strandbags owner invests $8m in new luggage start-up.
6. Nick Scali foot traffic and sales plummet in first quarter.
7. Reject Shop says same store sales grow.
8. Aldi opens three new stores in China.
9. David Jones opens its first standalone food store in Chapel St. South Yarra.
10. Frank Lowy gets out of Australian retail property industry.
11. Clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson selects pre-loved clothing from around the world at its first vintage concept store in Australia.
12. Hong Kong street front rents plunge 50% due city unrest.
13. Woolworths trials 20c paper bags for forgetful shoppers.
14. Major retailers look at systems to treat food waste including machines that convert waste into fertiliser overnight.

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QVM In The News - 20/10/2019


Queen Victoria Market is a great place to buy cheap food and souvenirs. Most people don't haggle but I's suggest you do because it does work.
Famously located at the “corner of Third and Fairfax” since 1934, the market is like an open-air version of Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market in terms ...
It will complement the Queen Victoria Market and be a drawcard for the precinct through community events and activities. “Large open spaces like ...


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Buying Is All About Emotion – Just Thinking Out Loud


Just thinking out loud

You might think it is cognitive reasoning that determines what people buy. But an article in Inside Retail this week suggests it is not the consumer’s conscious mind that determines what they buy, it is the part of the brain which controls emotions.

That part of the brain, called the Limbic System, works much quicker than the cognitive reasoning part and often makes a decision before we are fully aware of it.

Could that explain why consumer confidence is so important to the level of retail sales? When times are really tough, when consumer confidence is really low, when the news out there is all bad, do those conditions inhibit emotional responses, and therefore inhibit buying?

Here is a link to the full article - https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/the-limbic-system-the-cognitive-mind-and-the-user-illusion-that-misleads-201910#daily

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Tuesday, 15 October 2019

From The Archives - Michael Mallon Interview


Back in 2011, the most popular Victraders articles often involved interviews with Traders and this one got a lot of readership. It was an occasion when Tony Pierrakos filled in for the Editor. Michael Mallon can be a funny man and we suspect that Tony got the best out of him.

Interview With Michael Mallon - 5/6/2011

Name? - Michael

What do you do/sell at the market? - Giftware
How long have you been at the market? -  35 years.
What do you like best about the market? -  Not being here.
Worst moment? - Waiting for Tony to take this photo.
Past jobs? - Bus driver.
Sporting interests? - Horse racing and rugby.
If you were CEO for a day? - I'd move my neighbour Tim Moore  a few stalls away.
One thing nobody knows about you? - If I tell you everybody will know.
Favorite food? - 16 sausage mix, my own personal recipe, recipe available at a price.
Favorite drink? - Red wine.
Favorite TV show/ movie ? - Groundhog Day, and Melbourne cup carnival.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given? - Don't work at the market.
If you had your Sunday arvo free from the market, what would you do ? - Try find the sod that told me to work at the market.
If you were given a 2 week free holiday anywhere around the world, where would you choose to go? - Spain, I think.

Thanks Michael

Interviewed by Tony
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Sunday, 13 October 2019

Heard Under The Sheds - 13/10/2019



Money matters 1 - a customer asked the Trader if they could pay by card and they were told “Yes, as long as you spend $10.” For some reason the customer was upset when the Trader refused to accept a card for a $1 purchase. With a standard EFTPOS charge of around 30c (in this case 30%) we are on the Traders side.

Money matters 2 - a customer wanted to purchase a $13 meal on card and was told “Sorry, you must spend $20 for a card transaction.” That’s a bit rough, and here we are on the customers side. Incidentally it cost the customer $2.50 to go to the nearest ATM for cash.

A customer says he is going to buy a Tattslotto ticket after his luck in finding no queue at the American Donut Van on Queen St. around noon on Saturday. Most Traders wouldn’t regard that as good luck.

Like many Melbournians, Traders are well known for their sporting interest but kick-boxing between a Trader and a customer this week wasn’t the sort of draw-card our market needs.

Warmer weather is the time for walking in the sun, attracting tourists, showing off summer clothing, and unfortunately, pervading smells. Our first day of 20plus degrees in a while and Traders in C (or is it D Shed) placed covers over a nearby drain on Sunday in an attempt to reduce the unpleasant smell.

The recent shortage of car park vouchers on Fridays (generally none left after 7:00am) is apparently explained by the works in C and D sheds which has taken away the parking spots in the laneways. One Trader asks how many vouchers are taken by Traders with legitimate need to carry stock and how many are purely for convenience parking.

A Trader says there is one really good reason we should all work to eradicate the vacant stall syndrome. It is called “Protecting The Brand”. The Queen Victoria Market is known around the world and more famous than David Jones or Myer. Clearly we need to show our best face at all times.

A Trader in String Bean Alley reports that one of his elderly customers joked “A string bean is a string bean but a pea is a relief.” And that qualifies as our bad joke of the week.

The Melbourne Marathon has once again drawn complaints from Traders as they struggled through road barricades to get to the market on Sunday morning and wondered what impact that would have on customers.

There was some concern that climate change activists might target QVM as part of their guerrilla campaign. But, apart from a few activists located around Queen St. on Friday, they appear to have left us alone, at least for now.

And finally the tale of a stolen pair of ear-rings which a Trader thought might have been taken by a woman customer on Friday. The customer returned the next day and, you guessed it, she was wearing the stolen ear-rings. Our Trader was too amused to get upset but she did report the matter to security who we understand escorted the customer from the market.

Have Your Say - click here.


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Market Entertainment - Hunting The Guru


With at least 7 or 8 large groups of school children coming through our market on Friday, one of our traders (thanks Darren) suggested we could take an idea from Disneyland and create a mystery hunt to entertain young visitors.

Apparently Disney have small Mickey Mouse figures dotted around their Disneyland complexes. Visitors are given a book to record their sightings of these figures and of course social media plays a part in the process.

The school groups that visit QVM are often given a list of tasks to perform during their visit and extending that activity to any visitor might be worthwhile. Of course we need a celebrity to focus on and who could be better than our own Guru Pete.

We decided to take on the “Hunting The Guru” concept and placed small stickers around our market. Below are close-ups of the stickers. See if you can work out where they were placed.



Answers can be found here – Hunting the Guru Locations.

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Articles Worth A Read – 13/10/2019



Many articles about retailing come across our desk each week and here are four that we thought were worth a read.

Can You Teach Entrepreneurship? - https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/339851

Bed Bath & Beyond Respond To Competition - https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/target-walmart-ikea-were-killing-bed-bath-amp-beyond-heres-smart-surprising-announcement-bed-bath-beyond-just-made-in-response.html

Four Ways To Make Prices Seem Lower - https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/323876

Shopping Centre Vacancies In US Reach 8 Year High - https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/shopping-mall-vacancies-reach-8-year-high-amid-demise-of-department-stores


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Latest Retail News – 13/10/2019


Latest Retail News – 13/10/2019
1. RBA says international retailers significantly impact on Australian prices.
2. Some green shoots but retail continues to disappoint.
3. ANZ survey says latest rate cut impacted negatively on consumer confidence.
4. Coles launches 30 minute meal plans.
5. Chemist Warehouse opens first store in China.
6. Nestle introduces Starbucks coffee range for Australian homes.
7. Country Road moves into fashion rentals.
8. UBS says Coles & Woolworths experienced price inflation in September indicating positive trend.
9. Egg farmers call on retailers to increase prices.
10. Michael Hill shows strength in first quarter.

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QVM In The News - 13/10/2019


The Queen Victoria Market, which sits just over the Victoria Street southern border, is ripe for any foodstuffs that Errol Street's IGA supermarket fails to ...
If you're at Queen Victoria Market for a whole day, the menu of the day may look like this: 1) starter doughnuts, 2) main course doughnuts, 3) dessert ...
The success of a pop-up at the Queen Victoria Market convinced them to open a permanent store. “There are some characteristics that you have to get ...

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The New Order In Retailing

New Order In
Retailing.

“At the heart of each change within the fall of an industry lies consumer demand. It’s up to businesses to interpret the changing tides of opinion and desire, and cater to them.”
― Joshua H. Davidson



Davidson's quote got us thinking about the new order and here are some examples that might lead us to change the old ways of retailing.

Your customer doesn’t want to dance to your tune, they want influence, and convenience is paramount.

Your customer doesn’t want waste – sustainability is a new driver.

Save the planet, because customers think that is important.

Customers want delivery now.

Global prices are no longer a secret.

If you don’t have a point of difference, your customers will be indifferent.

Customer Service - Don’t force but be attentive.

Your competitors now include the power companies, mobile service providers, and any organisation that has managed to absorb discretionary spending.

Retail hours are whenever your customer wants contact.

Your competitor may be anywhere in the world.

Your customer can find out almost anything.

Customers want value.

Customers don’t have to buy now.

Have Your Say - click here.

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Sunday, 6 October 2019

Heard Under The Sheds – 6/10/2019


A Trader reports a radio discussion on the ABC about Chapel St. Traders encouraging dogs into their shops. The move is yet another unusual example of retailers trying to attract customers back to high street shopping.

With later opening times about to launch in the Upper Market, a Trader asks will parking vouchers be available for Traders who arrive an hour later than normal?

A Trader suggests that a 6 months trial moratorium on the stall spacing rule might make it easier for new Traders to avoid harassment – see our article https://www.victraders.com/2019/09/harassment-at-qvm.html

There have been reports that the trial of three new Traders sharing a container in String Bean Alley may not have met expectations.

He’s Back! A number of Traders were delighted to see the return of Caricaturist Ivano after a short break overseas and apparently customers were delighted to see him as well.

Traders have commented on the incredible volatility of trading at present with a really good day followed by a really poor day, and no rhyme or reason. One lamented that choosing a day off has suddenly become a lot harder.

A Trader suggests that we should provide hydration stations around the market like we do at the Night Market. Providing facilities for customers and Traders to refill water bottles would be consistent with modern event practice.

Traders were pleased to see CEO, Stan Liacos, engaging in a variety of Trader conversations around the Upper Market on Friday.

One of the Baristas at Padre Coffee was treated with a loud rendition of Happy Birthday on Saturday with Traders and Customers joining in the fun.

A Trader commented that restoration works at the top of C Shed appear fairly low key with a few bolts being replaced and some paintwork. “Our old sheds seem to have stood up to the passage of time better than some Traders.”

One of our Watch Traders was not impressed when asked if he had turned all his watches forward one hour for daylight saving.

 And from our bad (but irresistible) joker – “I sold my vacuum cleaner the other day…. It was just collecting dust.”

 Have Your Say - click here.

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Articles Worth A Read – 6/10/2019



What the retail apocalypse means for the American economy
https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/30/economy/forever-21-retail-apocalypse/

In The Grocery Business, The World Is On Fire And Industry Leaders Don’t Want To Talk About It
https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2019/10/02/in-the-grocery-business-the-world-is-on-fire-and-industry-leaders-dont-want-to-talk-about-it/

Three reasons the problems for Forever 21 don’t spell the end for brick’n’mortar. https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/3-reasons-forever-21s-bankruptcy-doesnt-spell-the-end-of-brick-and-mortar-retailing-201910#daily

Fitch downgrades Australia's economic growth, while Rabobank tips 'modest' global recession
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/fitch-downgrade-australia-economy-global-recession-rabobank/11567246

Malls have a future: location-based entertainment
https://venturebeat.com/2019/09/25/malls-have-a-future-location-based-entertainment/

The Next Chapter In The Toys R Us Story? Interactive Play Spaces
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2019/09/19/the-next-chapter-in-the-toys-r-us-story-interactive-play-spaces/

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Trader’s New Website Feature Looks A Winner

File Photo
One of the SBMS/RMIT interns who was re-designing a Trader’s website introduced a feature that had immediate results and maybe this feature should be included in all web exposure for Traders.

 
The feature was a photograph of the Trader, in fact a number of photos throughout the Trader’s website. The new website was launched last weekend and on Wednesday Night a friendly group of Asian tourists visited the Trader’s stall. They came into the stall like long lost friends which had the Trader a little confused at first until they revealed that they had seen his picture on the new website. They turned out to be good customers.

The intern who designed the website wanted to highlight the Trader through pictures because he believed the personal contact that Traders establish with their customers is their ace card in this increasingly impersonal retail world. The personal touch can be conveyed in other ways as well with stories of the Trader’s retail experience, their business philosophies, and how their products can mean more than simple purchases.

Maybe this is a tip for every Trader when they plan their web exposure.

Have Your Say – click here.



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Embracing The Future - Just Thinking Out Loud


Just thinking out loud.

The modern world of retailing is all about online and digital marketing - think remote access to customers.

But as Traders, we know that crowds are our lifeline and our physical connection, particularly with tourists, is very important.

We can’t deny the populations attraction to the latest retailing options so should we embrace them? Should we have an Amazon pick up point at QVM? Should we have a (wait for it) supermarket at QVM? Whatever it takes to get crowds on our patch.

Are we better to distance ourselves from those growing trends or embrace them and show that what we have to offer is intrinsic to the future, no matter where it goes?

Encouraging customers to get their stuff at QVM might mean expanding options rather than avoiding them. Consumers decide what is relevant.

Have Your Say - click here.


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Latest Retail News - 6/10/2019


Latest Retail News – 6/10/2019
1. Coles to expand its offer on eBay.
2. Patagonia to open Melbourne flagship store on Little Collins St. in November.
3. Luxury luggage brand, Rimowa, opens pop-up store at Chadstone.
4. Ripcurl sold to Kathmandu in $350m deal.
5. Coles trials zero-waste supermarket.
6. Forever 21 files for bankruptcy and plans hundreds of store closures.
7. David Jones to sell its Bourke St menswear store and invest in sister store across the road.
8. Industry hopes interest rate cut will boost spending where other measures have failed.
9. Coles to open in-store food halls.
10. First certified Lego store opens at Westfield Doncaster.
11. Retail trade stabilises in September after nine months of contraction.
12. High shipping costs are deterrent for shopping online in Australia.

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QVM In The News - 6/10/2019


Mr Guerra, most recently CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, has an ... including seven years as Chairman of the Queen Victoria Market.
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