Productivity Commission urges loosen red tape to give retailers breathing space
Madeleine Heffernan January 2, 2015 inShare Governments should loosen regulations to help the retail sector where one quarter of businesses run at a loss and many struggle to get to grips with online shopping, the Productivity Commission argues. In a study of the $23 billion a month sector, requested by Treasurer Joe Hockey, the commission says retailers in Australia “continue to operate under several regulatory regimes – such as those relating to trading hours, and planning and zoning – that unnecessarily inflate their costs and restrict their ability to innovate”. “However, this study also highlights that many of the cost pressures facing retailers are market driven and, therefore, require commercial responses,” commissioner Patricia Scott says. The report says the retail sector “appears to be managing rising cost pressures effectively”, citing relatively stable profit margins of 4.9 per cent, investment and employment growth in recent years, and cost-cutting such as a…
Read MoreTime to do away with the ‘circle of hell’
ANDY KESSLER JANUARY 03, 2015 THE AUSTRALIAN I HATE meetings. Everybody does. Yet Nancy Koehn, who teaches at the Harvard Business School, estimates that 11 million meetings take place daily in the US. Yes, daily. Maybe you’ve sat in on a boring one this week, peeking at your phone. Not much consolation to know that millions of others are stuck in the same circle of hell. Meetings are supposed to be about discovery and buy-in. That’s it. Someone has decided that a group needs to be informed about some new idea or process or scheme, and by the end of the meeting everyone has supposedly bought into this new vision of the world — one that, if you’re lucky, didn’t come with a 50-slide PowerPoint deck. But meetings too often end up being about preening and politicking, and devolve into productivity-robbing, mind-numbing monotony. Given that the hours taken up by…
Read MoreSpeculation about possible Container Deposit Scheme for NSW
MEDIA RELEASE SUNDAY 4 JANUARY 2015 AN alliance of Australia’s top business associations notes the article in today’s The Sun Herald titled “Baird to Impose Recycling Regime on Drinks Makers”. The industry alliance’s spokesperson, Gary Dawson of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, said industry remained committed to working with the NSW Government to develop the most effective and efficient way to reduce litter and improve recycling. “There is no simple solution and it requires a consultative process to develop tailored programs,†AFGC CEO Mr Dawson said. READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE
Read MoreWatershed year for Australia's convenience industry
15th December 2014 With Christmas fast approaching and Australia’s retailers gearing up for what is hopefully another busy festive season, Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) CEO Jeff Rogut has reflected on what has in numerous ways been a ground breaking year for the country’s convenience industry. “The convenience sector’s performance in recent times has reinforced the professionalism and expertise of the many retailers and suppliers in the industry,†Mr Rogut said. “Amid continuing economic uncertainty, an unpopular budget and an ever-evolving retail landscape, the response of the convenience sector to changing consumer behaviours and needs has contributed to another year of strong performance for the industry. “Specific challenges remain but, with the need to innovate at the core of what we do, 2015 shapes as another solid year for the convenience channel. “With next year marking the 25th birthday of the AACS, we will continue to advocate on behalf…
Read MoreOut of the box success!
Stock Box launched the first Australian product sample box to over 700 registered members on the 24th of November with resounding praise. “We could not have asked for a better result for our first box with a great selection of partner products and services, which was well received by our registered members†said Managing Director Craig Matthews. With a selection of 10 products from companies such as Bayer, Slim Nation, Go Natural and SPC Ardmona, retailers for the first time were able to trial and test products and provide feedback, which will assist suppliers to better target their marketing efforts. What retailers are saying: “This is a great idea as now there are products that I hadn’t heard of that I can access from my suppliers. Thank you!!!†“I thought the box was great and the staff have enjoyed being a part of it as well. I wouldn’t change a…
Read MoreBeyonce '7/11' Video Is Boost for C-store Chain
November 26, 2014 CSNews DALLAS — The Slurpee just got a little cooler thanks to superstar Beyoncé. The singer caused a supersized stir when she posted a picture of herself drinking a Slurpee on the same day she debuted the video for her new song, “7/11.” 7-Eleven Inc., the Dallas-based convenience store giant, said it had nothing to do with the publicity. According to the website TMZ, a 7-Eleven Inc. spokesman said the snapshot was Beyoncé’s doing and not a marketing move by the retailer. The spokesman added that Beyoncé chose the frozen beverage “because a Slurpee is the coolest drink on Earth,” according to TMZ. The song, “7/11,” is the new track from Beyoncé’s new album, “Beyoncé (Platinum Edition).” Despite the song’s title, there is no indication that it is in fact an ode to the famous red and green convenience store banner. – See more at:
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