Do We Have Enough Food Outlets At QVM?

The changes in retailing are quite bewildering and while we search passionately for the reasons (because they impact so directly on business levels) some trends are becoming clear. One of those trends is a growing cafe culture and it has implications for QVM.

Real estate commentators talk about "location, location, location" and in the past that has related to things like schools and public transport but as families and work/leisure activities change the location of cafés and restaurants become more critical in buyer's choices. "Walkability" has become the new buzzword in property circles. There is even a website called walkscore.com which measures the number if desirable locations within walking distance of your location.

Saturday and Sunday breakfast outings are becoming more and more common as lifestyles change and the typical family becomes smaller, more attracted to apartment living and "getting out" becomes less about a walk in the suburban garden and more about a trip to the local cafe.

What implications does all this have for QVM? Traders have often questioned the apparent proliferation of ready to go food outlets at the market. F shed has been transformed from a general merchandise aisle to a food aisle over recent years. Do we really need all these food outlets? Well, the answer probably lays in the success of the Night Markets built largely on creative food outlets and the associated entertainment. And the opportunities would appear to be enormous. Imagine our finest fresh food in the F&V, meat, fish, and deli areas being served up in cafés and restaurants all within the perimeters of the QVM site.

Melbourne is becoming a city of apartments, no more so than around our own Queen Victoria Market. With some 3,000 apartments being built per year the increasing supply of apartment dwellers looking for food is likely to be significant.

In a sense, increasing the food component at QVM adds to the competitive strain on many other trader categories. After all, it is just another form of discretionary spending. However, if we can generate bigger crowds at QVM by meeting the needs of more and more customers then logic suggests all participants at the market will benefit.

Dare we say - this is all food for thought?

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Why Munro’s Site Needs QVM Control

There has been much publicity this week about Munro's corner being put on the market and the potential for this property to become the site for QVM's car park. Its proximity to the market and the potential for offsite construction make this an enticing option under certain conditions.

The disruption that would be caused by an underground car park under A, B, and C sheds (QVM's original preference) has been clearly identified but as a trader pointed out this week "At least it would be under QVM control". This is a valid point because, even QVM's free parking concessions (which many traders consider inadequate) are unlikely to be seen under a totally privately owned car park. City car parks are big money earners and private owners are not going to give shopper discounts just to improve business for traders.

Peter Langtry’s proposal (http://www.victraders.com/2014/10/council-and-vic-market-traders-unite.html) suggested planning controls or City of Melbourne ownership to handle the control issue. It is certainly an attractive option. There are probably a number ways of linking the site's use with the interests of the market but if Munro's site does go solely to private developers then the likelihood of customer friendly parking rates is probably very small - maybe short term, but not long term.

Traders, particularly food traders, consider that our car park is part of the essential life-blood of the market. Can that life-blood be protected with a car park outside of QVM or CoM control?

Have Your Say - click here.

Council and Vic Market Traders Unite!

The following article has been presented by trader Catherine Underhill from McIvors Tea and Coffee Merchants.

"Council and Vic Market Traders Unite!

I never thought I would have that as my headline.

Over the last couple of weeks I have spent a fair amount of time writing to the planning minister Matthew Guy and Melbourne City Council about the land for sale on Therry St.   

On Monday I was heartened to see this: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/council-could-scrap-queen-victoria-market-car-park-amid-battle-for-prime-development-site-20141001-10or7n.html

The article contains a link to a document Council has prepared around their vision for the future development of the site. 

The re-development proposal put forward earlier in the year which includes (most contentiously) the demolition and rebuild of A, B, and C sheds, would no longer be necessary.   While I can understand why management felt this was the only and best option it clearly had no support from traders or customers.  This is hardly a great place to start a huge project. 

The fact that Council wants to   purchase this land is by no means a guarantee that it will happen.  And planning guidelines or overlays are no guarantee either.  You see, with planning all a developer has to do to shift responsibility for approval from Council to State is to put in a proposal that is larger than 25,000 sq. mtrs.   That is about a 6 story building on the site.  No one will propose that for a site that will cost in excess of 60 million.

So here is what we need to do fast: 

Write to council in support of the plan.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  Just a simple message of support is fine.   Tell all of your friends, customers, family, whoever to do the same.

Here are their email addresses:

lordmayor@melbourne.vic.gov.au

susan.riley@melbourne.vic.gov.au

richard.foster@melbourne.vic.gov.au

rohan.leppert@melbourne.vic.gov.au

stephen.mayne@melbourne.vic.gov.au

cathy.oke@melbourne.vic.gov.au

ken.ong@melbourne.vic.gov.au

beverley.pinder-mortimer@melbourne.vic.gov.au

jackie.watts@melbourne.vic.gov.au

arron.wood@melbourne.vic.gov.au

rob.adams@melbourne.vic.gov.au

kathy.alexander@melbourne.vic.gov.au

A copy of the proposal that I sent to Council and The Minister is below.  I must acknowledge that the main driver of these ideas is Peter Langtry from the Polish Deli.

Proposal for land use Therry St/Queen St and the Queen Victoria Market:

As you can see this is a sizable parcel of land:6,462sq with a combined street frontage of 162m.  Amazing.  This represents an extra ordinary opportunity for the City of Melbourne to radically alter the market precinct in a positive way, without being hamstrung by graveyards, space limitations and heritage.

Earlier this year a proposal was put forward to the people of Melbourne regarding refurbishment of the QVM.  It involves some positives – green space – and a massive negative.  The idea is to dig up A, B, and C sheds and put in a 712(?) space car park.  Theoretically like for like, but when you factor in the sale of land at the southern end of the market and the on street parking lost to that development the proposal is woefully inadequate.  Furthermore the disruption will have long term deleterious affect on the viability of the market.  Customers lost often don’t come back.  Tourists attending a market only populated by tourists soon leave.  And spread the word.

The availability of the property on Therry St changes all that.  My dream for that site:  A parking lot able to cope with peak demand.  Street level retail, and residential above – but stepped back so as not to overshadow.  How about if the walls of the parking lot were green walls – not ugly car park walls?  How about if the parking lot was designed so that it could be retro-fitted to residential so that when the day comes that we actually embrace public transport we can re-purpose the space.

To that end how about a central bus hub either at the new Franklin St end of the Market.  Or maybe it should be between the sheds and the new green space over the graveyard, replacing the current less than beautiful car park.

The availability of this land means we can invest for the next 100 years not just pull together a sub-standard option that has no support among traders or customers.  We need to bring everyone with us to make it work.  We need to think what will provide for our descendants.  That is what the original founders did, at great expense and with a lot of forethought.

It doesn’t matter how we get there, whether by legislation or by the City of Melbourne buying the land.   We just need to get there.  Council purchase is probably the best option.  After all, that is why we still have a market. "

NEW PROPOSAL

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Trader Videos From Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards

Wednesday night’s Lord Mayor’s Commendations at Melbourne Town Hall featured 4 special videos on award recipients and two of the videos were about QVM Traders.

Michael Caiafa received a gold award for his 40+ years service in his bread shop and Jodi Brunner a Bronze award for the 14 years service in her Feng Shui shop on Victoria St. 

Click on their names for a link to the videos.

Photographs and Videos - The Lord Mayor’s Commendations 2014 recipient photographs and videos captured by James H.H. Morgan. Contact james@jamesmorgan.com.au  - www.jamesmorgan.com.au

                                                                   

Traders Feature In Lord Mayors Small Business Awards

At last night’s impressive ceremony in Melbourne Town Hall 22 Queen Victoria Market traders received awards for their contribution to Melbourne’s business scene.

The awards recognise and celebrate the longevity and success of individual small business proprietors and this year there were 74 recipients in total. QVM Traders featured in the gold silver and bronze categories.

The evening started with a live opera rendition followed by 4 videos on individual businesses (two videos featured market traders) and then followed the presentation ceremony. There was plenty of opportunity for discussion with a broad range of councillors, business people, family members and past recipients.

More photos and details to come.

Photographs - The photograph of Michael Caiafa captured by James H.H. Morgan. Contact james@jamesmorgan.com.au  - www.jamesmorgan.com.au

Editorial - Who Owns This Market Anyhow?

Rule 1 for blog writers is to give your heading impact and the question asked above is obviously a rhetorical one. And just in case you have to look up “rhetorical” like I did, it means a question which doesn’t really require an answer - it makes a statement. 

If you are expecting an in-depth analysis about who owns QVM then let me apologise in advance because this is simply an attempt to make a very important point about how we move forward as a market. (The in-depth analysis is on our to-do list).

Below is a diagram which we can call the "Progress Arrow". On the left wing of the arrow is Management whose mantra could be - "We own this market and we know what is best for the future." On the right wing are traders who could also claim - "We own this market and we know what is best for the future." There are of course other wings to this arrow, customers, council, community etc., but let's keep it simple for now.

                                 

The analogy of the arrow has a simple message. For progress to be made, both parties need to move to the centre of the shaft. That will require openness, transparency and a degree of compromise. Without a point the arrow is just a blunt instrument. Without a point the arrow will fail to achieve its target.

Management and traders need to genuinely consult on all aspects of market operation. The "blame games" and the entrenched positions of the past have little relevance to the future.  We are about to enter a brave new world and our arrows will need to fly true.

Have Your Say – click here.

Bold New Face For Traders 2

Further to last week’s article we have photos of another trader  who has taken advantage of the RMIT Design Students liaison and created a very attractive stall presentation complete with eye-catching banner. It is all about that 3 seconds you get to attract your customer’s attention and convince them that they need to stop and look at your offer in more detail.

Is it time for your stall update?

Latest Retail News – 27/9/2014

Latest Retail News – 27/9/2014
1. Pumpkin Patch injects new blood into its boardroom.
2. Super Retail Group to open first store in China.
3. Kathmandu says weaknesses in Australian dollar impacting on profits.
4. Four Tesco executives suspended over inflated profit budgets.
5. New iPhone 6 breaks sales records.
6. British phone retailer, Phones 4U, closes 360 stores.
7. Coles publishes factory list for apparel range.
8. Johnny Walker opens “Whiskey Embassy” concept in China.
9. H&M reports 20% profit leap in third quarter.
10. Alibaba chief becomes China’s richest man after stock market launch.
11. Huge data breach at US retailer Home Depot traced to self checkout computers.
12. ACCC accuses Woolworths of selling unsafe deep fryer, drain cleaner and safety matches.

Rumblings In The Mobile Phone Market

The UK mobile phone market is going through a renaissance which could be repeated here in Australia and is just another indication that retailers need to be on their toes.

Earlier this year Carphone Warehouse and Dixons, two iconic UK retailers, merged. The equivalent in Australia would be say Allphones and The Good Guys joining forces. Lots of reasons where given for the move but a very tough, low margin, retail environment is seen as the main driver.

This week, another large UK mobile phone chain, Phones 4U, succumbed to those pressures and went into receivership with Vodafone picking up 140 of their stores. A saturated smartphone market and the tendency for telco providers to deal direct with their customers were seen as the main reasons for the collapse.

It is an understatement to say that the retail market is changing. In fact, this is a retail revolution with lots of traps and lots of opportunities.

Have Your Say - click here.

Government Panel Recommends Sweeping Changes To Retail

A draft report from the Competition Policy Review Panel tackles issues including competition, trading hour deregulation, liquor licensing rules, and the artificially high prices paid by Australian consumers for some goods and services.

The leader of the panel, economist Ian Harper, said - “Australia’s competition policy needs to be fit for purpose, and updated for the economic opportunities and challenges Australia will face in coming decades. We face forces for change from increased globalisation, population ageing and new technologies, which are rapidly changing the way our markets operate.”

Competition between instore and online and within the grocery and pharmaceutical categories is a focus of the report along with the abolishment of trading hour restrictions with the exception of Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day mornings.

The draft report is open for consultation before 17^th November and then final submission in March 2015.

Will Music Week Benefit Traders?

There has been much debate amongst traders about the likely business impact of Music Week at QVM and whether the sacrifice of temporary relocation for traders will be worthwhile.

Melbourne's Music Week is the city's premier annual music festival and this year it will be held under the sheds at the top end of QVM with some 50-60 traders being relocated for a two week period. Special arrangements have been made for traders including a "showcase" marquee in the prime customer flow area on Therry St which it is hoped will introduce top end traders to a whole new source of market customers.

But will all this disruption benefit traders? The short term gain is probably questionable. A Music Week crowd won't be in town primarily for shopping, a bit like that other famous annual event, the Melbourne Grand Prix. But there will be 30,000 participants so we can expect some business flow on. The special arrangements to showcase traders in the Queen St., Therry St. Hub has potential for an event type atmosphere and attracting a new, some would say lost, source of foodie customers. Then there is the buzz that a special event creates although there is some concern about the nature of the buzz. Let's hope Melbourne Music Week is a bit more like Adelaide's WOMAD festival with broad appeal across the population and less like a rock concert.

Longer term, this event addresses some of the concerns around QVM being an under-utilised facility with great potential. As the city encroaches (very speedily) on our market the fact that our trading hours are restricted by comparison with CBD retailers, and that we are closed for two days each week, needs addressing. Nobody expects current traders to trade 24/7 so creating a greater flexibility for markets and events on our site is desirable. If QVM can be seen as a place to come for shopping and entertainment at any time, then all the market's businesses are likely to benefit no matter when they trade.

Are there any guarantees here? Obviously not. It was recently reported in the retail press that, given the current retail upheaval, if retailers can try 10 new ideas or 10 new projects, and get 3 or 4 to work, they have done very well. Stepping out of our comfort zone with this sort of event creates a mix of anxiety and positive expectation. It will be very interesting to see how it pans out.

Have Your Say – click here.

COMMENTS:
27/09/2014 16:35:15 Music week "My question is - We have been lead to believe that there will be displays and music going on all week but today I was told that it's only operating for 18 hours that match the times the market is open, so for all the disruption and the fact that the Market is moving 50-60 stalls of mostly traders who have been operating for many year in the same position at a time of year that represents the start of the X-mas trading and spring racing carnival, it seems a little short sighted and unfair. I'm all for trying something new but it must be a benefit to the Market, cause at the end of the day we are a retail space not a event space."

One To One Interview Problem Sorted

QVM have started the 1-2-1 interview process as traders are invited to individually share their thoughts on life and business at QVM as well as ask questions about the future.

Traders are asked to sign a Privacy Statement at the beginning of the interview which identifies how their input will be used and the context of the various privacy regulations. The original form contained some material that wasn’t relevant to current traders and therefore created some confusion to participants. That material has now been removed and the form simplified to the satisfaction of QVMAC Representatives and the traders who raised the original objection.

Apart from this wording glitch it would appear that the process is proceeding well with favorable responses from trader participants. Bookings for your interview can be made online through the Traders Hub.

Have Your Say – click here.

Sydney Council Launches Music And Culture To Boost Retail Sector

Australia’s busiest retail precinct will be activated by live music and performances in a move by Sydney City Council to boost retail sales.

During a 12 month trial retailers will be offered Pitt Street Mall free of charge to conduct events designed to bring more shoppers to the city centre. Sydney’s Lord Mayor said the move was designed to help local retailers attract more residents, workers and visitors. With 65,000 people moving through the mall each day there is a ready audience.

Late last year Sydney’s Retail Action Plan was launched to encourage shoppers to visit bricks-and-mortar retailers and offer more from their retail experience.

Have Your Say - click here.

Latest Retail News – 19/9/2014

Latest Retail News – 19/9/2014

1. Google introduces new accreditation system for online stores.
2. Godfrey’s Vacuum Cleaners to float on stock exchange.
3. Deli’s expected to show growth despite supermarket competition.
4. British fashion retailer, River Island, plans expansion into Australia.
5. Premier Investments lifts profit, driven by rollout of Smiggle and Peter Alexander stores.
6. Huge fire at UK warehouse impacts on ASOS sales.
7. Consumer confidence slides another 1.8% in September.
8. Marks & Spencer reaches first months target in just 10 days after inaugaral opening in Vietnam.
9. Oroton reports profit lift.
10. US menswear retailer, Brooks Bros, outlines expansion plans for Australia.
11. British retail sales and consumer confidence rise in August.

Why QVM Needs An App

Google says 75% of Australian consumers use location information, typically maps, when searching online. The percentage is higher when you look at smartphone users and how many of your customers walk into your stall with a smartphone in their hand?

Whether they are searching for products, communicating with friends, or taking photos, many of our customers are technology users and a common use is looking for businesses and products. A location map us considered essential for many businesses followed by getting directions and information about trading hours. It is all part of the push for consumer convenience and with Google now making indoor maps (read shopping centre maps) more readily available, consumers are expecting to pick up their smartphone and find their retailer of choice with a few clicks on their phone.

Of course, at QVM, we make things just a little harder for consumers, with many traders changing locations on different trading days, so some form of location technology becomes even more important. Imagine a QVM App that would enable customers to click on a product category and be shown a map with their stall alternatives on any given trading day. Imagine also a complete summary of our trading hours, a directory of stallholders, a list of special market events and simple things like the location of ATMs and toilets.

And another use of a QVM App that has great possibilities involves iBeacons. iBeacons are tiny radio transmitters that can be located on stalls and beam out special offers to nearby customers (typically as they pass or enter your stall). Individual traders would tailor individual messages to show up on their customer's mobile phone. The technology is already available and all it needs is - you guessed it - a QVM App!

Are apps easy to set up? Well, no, not really, but the technology is there, and the experts are available. All that it needs is some resourcing, some desire, and a willingness to make QVM a relevant destination in modern retailing. Sounds like a worthwhile renewal project to us.

Have Your Say - click here.

QVM's One on One Interviews Are Two Way.

QVM has embarked on a program of interviewing every market trader. One on one interviews with traders are already under way and with something like 600 traders on the list this is a major undertaking.

Traders are being asked questions like "What are your aspirations at QVM?" or "What do you believe needs changing at QVM?" A whole series of subjects will be covered including specific events like the November Music Week. The aim is to get a more personal assessment of traders views but it is important to realise that the process is two way. Traders are entitled to ask their own questions of management - "What does the future hold for my business?", "What is the likely impact of renewal?" and so on.

Getting a better perspective of each of our roles at QVM has potential to give us some guidance for the future. At a recent business conference in Melbourne the Small Business Minister was reported to have said "The best form of contraception is small business". Presumably he was referring to the huge pressures on small business and the difficulties of leading a normal life while struggling to see a way through the tough times.  It is hoped that activities like the 1 on 1 interviews will lead to better understanding, ease some of that pressure, and produce some clarity for the future. Who knows, it may even be child producing?

Have Your Say – click here.

Marquee In Therry St.

Melbourne Music Week is to be held in the top end of J, K, L, & M sheds and a number of stalls will be relocated to other areas including a giant marquee in Therry St. Marquees come in many shapes and sizes and the one proposed for Therry St. should be quite impressive. We haven’t seen detail yet but marquees can come with floors, partitions, and all sorts of features designed to show off product displays.

Traders who have visited the trade gift fairs at the Showgrounds each year will have seen some professional installations in action. The opportunity to make Therry St. and the adjoining area in Queen St a buzz for Music Week will be an interesting challenge for management and traders.

Have Your Say – click here.

Munro’s Corner For Sale

A significant group of buildings on the corner of Queen and Therry Streets is up for sale. The sprawling property, known as Munro’s corner, is directly opposite the market and has often been suggested as an ideal place for a market car park.

The shops that make up the site are currently occupied by an Asian supermarket, antique and clothing shops, the Mercat Cross Hotel, and other businesses. Real estate agents have described the property as a developers dream and estimated its value at $60m.

Bold New Face For Traders

It is said that you have just 3 seconds to capture the attention of customers as they walk past your shop or stall. A small number of traders recently took the step to make the most of that 3 seconds by receiving specialist advice from RMIT Design Students on how to enhance their stall presentation.

We have received some very favourable responses from the traders involved and here is an example of the results.

One of the key ingredients of the stall shown is a graphic sign that encapsulates the stall’s offer at a glance. It is all about that 3 seconds. The consultations were organised by QVM and the cost of graphics were linked with the $500 QVM subsidy program for traders.

Traders who are interested in undergoing a similar makeover are invited to contact Victoria Niewalda at the office.

Have Your Say – click here.

Latest Retail News – 12/9/2014

Latest Retail News – 12/9/2014

1. PayPal expands into small business lending.
2. Noni B recommends takeover offer from investment firm Alceon.
3. Chinese footwear brand, Staccato, opens in Japan.
4. Ugg Australia launches global marketing campaign.
5. Australia’s technology goods took a sales dip in second quarter.
6. World’s largest duty free shop opens in south China's Hainan Province.
7. July retail sales show continued steady rise with 5.8% increase over last year.
8. ACCC takes issue with Expedia’s takeover of Wotif.
9. H&M to open two Sydney stores – Macquarie Place, North Ryde and Pitt St. Sydney.
10. Good Guys receive top customer satisfaction award in electricals for 4th year.
11. Forever 21 to open in Sydney.
12. Woolworths to sell more than $600m of property.
13. Walmart to build first community shopping mall in China.
14. McDonalds continues global decline as sales fall in August.
15. Ikea says sales growing with China the best performer.
16. Myer’s gross profit continues to fall, down 1.4% to $1.286 billion this financial year.
17. Consumer sentiment continues to fall in Australia.
18. Australian retailers seek reduced weekend penalty rates.