All enjoyed the celebrations undertaken last week by RCG in respect of its 21 years in business. Some photographs are included in this issue. What came out of last week is the one factor in business that relates to all of us and that is “loyalty”.
Retailers rely on loyalty to ensure they continue to benefit from regular consumer support, whilst those of us in commercial activity rely on it to ensure we are able to continue in business. It does work both ways however, if we generally give customers what they want then there is no reason why they won’t come back for more!!
We wonder however if this “loyalty” factor is understood or realised by all. The various finance companies that have gone into receivership over the past year or so, certainly showed no loyalty, and Landlords who haven’t assisted struggling tenants run the risk of that loyalty being eroded. We believe that is already happening and we expect some fall out from this economic period that will impact on landlords negatively.
Extending the thinking, the various numbers of travellers who are stranded through the Volcano problems in Iceland, will be hoping they receive support from the various airlines and travel service providers. No doubt any support now will prompt them into using the same airline or Travel Agent into the future. Insurance companies fall into the same category, hopefully where they need to help they will and there wont be any “read the small print ” issues.
This week therefore, we thank all our clients for their loyalty over the years, we look forward to serving you in the future and to bringing you the News In Brief on a weekly basis with many items of interest for the next 21 years.
Woolworths Shares 2008 - 2010
Woolworths Limited is a major Australian company with extensive retail interest throughout Australia and New Zealand. In their New Zealand division, they have Dick Smiths Electronics and Progressive Enterprises which runs Foodtown, Countdown and Woolworths.
Sales have increased 4.5% from Half Year results 09 from $2,571 million to $2,686 million in 2010 and their share prices have returned to early 2008 levels.
Currently their New Zealand supermarkets are in the process of rebranding, and currently 52% (78 stores) are now trading as Countdown. Whether this rebranding effort is successful will be interesting to watch out for.
Retail News
Retail sales drop as shoppers watch their dollars
Retail sales sagged in February, their second substantial fall in three months.
Total retail sales fell 0.6 per cent from January on a seasonally adjusted basis, Statistics New Zealand said.
Core sales, which excluded the volatile automotive sector, fell 0.9 per cent, after a rise of 0.3 per cent in January and a fall of 2 per cent in December.
(Source: NZ Herald)
‘Thousands’ of Starbucks stores for China
Global coffee chain Starbucks plans a major expansion in China by opening “thousands of stores” while eyeing the promising Indian and Vietnamese markets.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told the Wall Street Journal that China will overtake Japan as its biggest market outside North America.
(Source: www.insideretailing.com.au)
Napoleon stores set to double
Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics will expand its cosmetic empire in Australia by adopting a franchise business model.
The company aims to add an additional 60 concept stores over the next three years to its existing 57 stores.
(Source: www.insideretailing.com.au)
Big plans for Sylvia Park
A $1 billion plan could almost quadruple the size of Mt Wellington’s Sylvia Park and make it a new town hub. The country’s largest mall could soon be flanked by a new mini-city of high-rise apartment and office blocks, towering over nearby motorways.
Kiwi Income Property Trust, the $1.8 billion landlord, has sought permission to build a series of towers up to 20 levels or 60m on its 24ha site.
(Source: NZ Herald)
Sylvia Park mall aims to get a lot bigger
Parties have just under three weeks to voice opinions about development around Auckland’s $452 million Sylvia Park mall.
The Auckland City Council last month notified Kiwi Income Property Trust’s plans to build in and up on land around its Mt Wellington mall and has called for submissions by April 30.
(Source: NZ Herald)
Music master reinvents
A New Zealand music retail chain has adopted a heritage brand for its new-look stores and market positioning.
New technology, new categories and a whole new customer experience are all hallmarks of a radical revamp of an independent New Zealand music retailer, fighting to stay relevant in a challenged category.
(Source: www.insideretailing.com.au)
Well heeled: Custom made retail
An Australian trio have created a world first in customised shoe retailing – online. Bespoke shoes are just a mouse-click away in an online retail concept tapping into the growing demand for customised fashion.
Shoes Of Prey is the brainchild of Sydney-based professed ‘fashion geeks’ Mike Knapp, Michael Fox and Jodie Fox. It’s a portal to hand-crafted shoes which consumers design themselves.
(Source: www.insideretailing.com.au)
Harvey Norman leads online
Despite Gerry Harvey’s reluctance to enter the world of ecommerce, figures from Experian Hitwise indicate he’d be very wise to do so.
According to Experian Hitwise’s Top 20 – appliances and electronics list for the week ending April 10, Harvey Norman is the most visited site in the category, with 8.89 per cent of visits by Australians.
(Source: www.insideretailing.com.au)
