Adelaide retailers set to reopen after fortnight without new virus case
It’s been almost two months since coronavirus slammed the shop doors shut but now there are growing signs of life in the city’s shopping precincts.
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City retailers have reopened and more intend to follow in coming days as the state’s coronavirus fighting efforts boost confidence among SA’s “engine room” traders.
Apple and Seed Heritage will join dozens of popular brands open in Rundle Mall, seven weeks after strict COVID-19 rules forced many businesses to close.
Foot Locker, Mecca and Dymocks have started trading in a positive sign of kickstarting the retail economy.
Rundle Mall Management Authority general manager Johanna Williams and Premier Steven Marshall were confident others would return over the “next week”.
Ms Williams said news that South Australia had “flattened the curve’ has given Rundle Mall retailers “across a range of retail categories” confidence to reopen.
“It’s been a challenging time for traders and their staff as they’ve innovated and adapted to the restrictions,” she said.
“Most importantly it’s through the combined effort of the businesses and people of SA that we have had no new cases for two weeks, which has enabled traders to consider reopening their doors.”
There are about 700 retailers in the Rundle Mall precinct and about 60 have voluntarily advised the RMMA that they are again trading.
Supermarkets, pharmacies and selected stores, including David Jones, and some food outlets have remained open since social distancing restrictions were progressively enforced in March.
Mr Marshall said the state had endured “a very tough seven weeks” since distancing and mass gathering rules were introduced across the country.
“But we are on our way out now so I think this is providing great hope for businesses and employees,” he said.
“We have got some tough months ahead ... but we are heading in the right direction.
“Many businesses closed because they had anxious customers and anxious employees or they just didn’t have the sales that warranted their doors being open.
“What we are now seeing is customers coming out, employees wanting to come back and of sales driving returns for small business operators.”
Tuesday, Myer announced it would trial reopening five Queensland stores from Friday but a company spokesman said there was no update on when its three Adelaide stores, including its Rundle Mall outlet, would will begin in-store trading. Men’s fashion store Peter Jackson recommenced limited trading at its Rundle Place shop on Friday.
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Store manager Anthony Vassallo said there had been a “good response” from customers and he noticed there was more activity in the city.
“There’s been a positive reception,” he said. “People are happy to see us open.”
He hoped the Government would move to ease restrictions on food outlets to drive more customers.
Adelaide Arcade and Gifts owner Peter Seekamp said he had noticed more people “wandering the mall” in the past week. “We just need more workers back ... and I’d like to see Marshall open up things a bit more, like snack bars and restaurants,” he said.
As hopes grow a road map to lift restrictions will be released following a national Cabinet meeting tomorrow, new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that COVID-19 heavily impacted retail trade in March. ABS spokesman Ben James said there was unprecedented demand in food retailing, household goods, and other retailing but others fell victim to the strict regulations around social distancing.
“The March month saw both the strongest rise in food retailing, and the strongest fall in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services, that we have seen in the history of the series,” he said.