Westfield offers contactless shopping service as NSW Treasurer maps our COVID-19 recovery
Shopping centres and major department stores are finding innovative new ways to deliver to consumers amid news that the retail industry will remain shut despite the declining rate of COVID-19 in Australia.
NSW
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Shopping centres and major department stores are finding innovative new ways to deliver to consumers with news that the retail industry will remain shut despite the declining rate of COVID-19 in Australia.
Major retailers said they would maintain their existing stance despite government plans to lift restrictions on schools, surgeries and aged care facilities from May 11.
However Westfield now offer a drive through service for several retailers, department stores, discount shops, food and more. This comes as the NSW treasurer has said the state’s economy will make a “roaring” recovery.
Titled Westfield Direct, the service allows shoppers to order items from different retailers, then drive to the shopping centre and collect them from a contactless point.
More than 350 retailers have joined the service including Harris Farm Markets, Aesop, Bakers Delight, Boost Juice and more, offering about 8000 products.
“In these challenging times, we understand more than ever the need to be agile and respond to the fast-changing needs of our customers,” group director customer experience Phil McAveety said.
“For our retail partners who are still able to trade within government restrictions, Westfield Direct provides a new way for them to continue reaching their customers. The response from our retailers so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with dozens joining each day and we’re looking forward to seeing where the Westfield Direct service takes us in the coming months.”
Almost 40 percent of the shopping centre chain’s stores had remained open, a spokeswoman said.
When it comes to big department stores, a Myer spokesman said the retailer had not changed its current position to keep all stores shut.
Premier retail – which temporarily closed all retail stores on March 26 – said they will remain closed until at least May 11 and the existing stand down on staff would continue.
“Premier has no choice but to continue the temporary closure of our retail stores in Australia. Accordingly, our retail stores will remain closed until at least 11th of May 2020,” the company said in a statement.
“Our decision to temporarily close our retail stores is consistent with the clear message reiterated by the Prime Minister that the population should only leave the house when it is absolutely necessary to go out.
“Premier looks forward to opening our retail stores at the earliest possible time.”
The statement added the company’s brands were trading well online.
Department giant David Jones said it would continue to keep its larger stores open.
“The majority of David Jones large format stores have remained open so we will continue to work within the government social distancing protocols and enhanced hygiene standards across our stores,” a spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet has mapped a vision to slash red tape and reform the tax system so business can flourish after COVID-19.
He revealed he wants landmark reform of the state’s economic structures — including major tax cuts — with a view to driving productivity and putting business growth at the centre of the economy as NSW charts the road back from the coronavirus pandemic.
Critical elements of the Treasurer’s path to growth include deregulation and tax reform, turbocharging our trade and investment strategy to gain “first mover” advantage, reskilling the state’s workforce and breaking down federation barriers to financially reward reforming states.
“NSW has always been Australia’s engine room and we’re going to come roaring out of this and drive our state to the next level,” Mr Perrottet told The Daily Telegraph.
“We’re going to get our state back in business, the budget back in the black and together beat this thing.”
Mr Perrottet would welcome the cutting of company tax and pursuing industrial relations reform at a federal level, and in NSW slashing inefficient imposts like stamp duty and payroll tax.
He also intends to cut red tape and regulations on business such as licencing fees and other hurdles.
Planning reforms to speed up development projects will also be undertaken.
It came as Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said Australia could expect the economy to begin its bounce-back in the September quarter, but warned of difficult months ahead.
He said we could see a GDP growth of 6-7 per cent next year – after a fall of 6 per cent this year and a 20 per cent drop in hours worked by Australians.
Mr Lowe suggested the government examine calls for income, consumption and land tax reform as well as cut red tape that stifles innovation.
Business titan Tony Shepherd backed Mr Perrottet’s assessment, saying it was critical for all three levels of government to create an environment for business to grow the economy.
“NSW has all the resources at its fingertips to come out of this stronger than ever before – complacency is our biggest enemy,” Mr Shepherd said.
“Now the music has stopped – and this is a very serious economic setback – we have to grab the opportunity to really get the economy moving again.”
He said all levels of government needed to slash red tape for business and encourage investment, as well as removing taxes on employment and business transactions.
Mr Shepherd also pointed to industrial relations reform, saying “the IR system has gone back to the ’70s” and that modern flexibility was critical. “The government must strike now,” he said.