Industry Updates - Retail Postcard

The writing on the wall

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:27:00 GMT

With all the change happening for retailers these days (online, mobile technology) many people ask me: what does this mean for retail property?

The short answer is plenty, but it depends a little on what sort of retail property you own, as some are more vulnerable than others.

Surf's out!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:24:00 GMT

Don’t you just love summer in Australia? It can be hot enough to fry an egg or wet enough to drown a rat whilst listening to the cricket, watching the Australian Open tennis, going to the beach and, of course, hitting the surf!

Speaking of surf, many of you would know that the three biggest surf brands in the world all started in Australia: Ripcurl and Quiksilver in Torquay – just a few minutes from the famous Bells Beach – and Billabong in Queensland on the Gold Coast.

All I want for Christmas is...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:43:00 GMT

Customers of course!

2011 has been one of the toughest years for retailers since the early 90s. Not only have we seen very difficult trading conditions, we have also seen the launch of international retail models into Australia and the growth of online to a level not seen before in this country.

Is Kmart Australia's Walmart?

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:13:00 GMT

Twenty-seven bucks - that’s how much it costs for Guy Russo, CEO of Kmart to get dressed in the morning: shoes $8; polo top $9; jeans $10.

Since the former McDonalds impresario took control of the Wesfarmers basket case, Kmart, three years ago, the business has gone from a $3 billion company making no money to a $4 billion company making $200m a year.

Love my Coke

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (“CCA”) has recently taken brand connectivity with consumers to a new level. Aficionados of Coca-Cola can now quite literally take “ownership” of their Coke by placing their name on it through Facebook or picking up their own personalised bottle through your local vendor.

It's all about the dollar!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:47:00 GMT

We all know that since October 2008 the AUD has bounced around like the proverbial frog in a blender – in early August it hit its highest level for 30 years before falling below US$ parity last week.

In fact it is the high AUD that is softening the blow for many retailers because it builds an artificial margin into the costs of goods, partially offsetting lower sales volumes.

Beware the net

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:06:00 GMT

Many retailers that once saw the internet as a challenge to their bricks and mortar outlets have embraced the change to become powerful multi-channel retailers where their online play has extended the reach of their traditional retail offer. Increasingly though, there is a new and growing challenge. Consumers have become skilled not only at using the internet to research products before they buy, but also using it to investigate the manufacturers that make them and the retailers who sell them.

All hail JB

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 03:55:00 GMT

JB Hi-Fi is the golden child of Australian consumer electronics retailing – and justifiably so.

However, this week’s results announcement represented a watershed moment.

Exit the dragon?

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, James Stewart examined the impact of rising costs in China on Australian retailers. In that article, he asked questions about our retailers’ reliance on China and their plans to deal with disruptions to supply or increases in product prices. The issue of rising production costs in China has not gone away.

3D-TV - Our focus for the future

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Television retailing is under the pump. Just five years ago consumers were fighting to get their hands on the latest flat-screen TVs – and paying hefty margins for the privilege. But now the market is saturated and retailers are battling rampant price deflation, which is impacting sales and gross margin performance.