Central Coast coronavirus: Retail sector sees closures and major job losses
For the first time, you can easily find a park at Erina Fair and Westfield Tuggerah. But there’s no reason to celebrate, with stores closing and huge job losses for our local retail workers.
Central Coast
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The Central Coast has lost more than 230 retail jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic takes hold of the region.
The figure of 213 job losses has been revealed by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) as many major brands closed their doors and stood down workers this week.
These include Mosaic stores such as Rockmans, Noni B, Katies and Crossroads and the Just Group brands including Smiggle, Peter Alexander, Just Jeans, Dotti and Portmans.
Central Coast based NSW Senator Deborah O’Neill said the latest brands to close are Cue, Veronika Maine and Kathmandu.
“Coast businesses are folding daily and people are losing jobs daily,” she said.
“The figure of 213 I suspect is under-reported. We can’t afford this to continue.”
She said the SDA and Australian Retailers Association (ARA) had called on the Federal Government to deliver an Australian Retail Industry Rescue Package, amid collapsing revenues. The package would include wage subsidies for retail workers, underwriting of a line of credit so retailers could trade without fear of insolvency and a guarantee of retail rental payments.
“They have not received a response,” Ms O’Neill said.
“213 coasties who were working last week are now not working because the government failed to plan a proper response.
“I have major concerns for our retail sector. We need jobs to bounce back. It’s really vital that the government deliver the rescue package and not continue to ignore it. Retail is a huge deliverer for the Central Coast economy.”
Many of the brands have taken to social media to announce their closures.
Cue Clothing Co founder Rod Levis said “our hearts are breaking at this most difficult time as each and every one of us is impacted by the alarming spread of COVID-19”.
“We understand that most of you, like us, have some very challenging months ahead. Our top priority at this moment is the safety and wellbeing of our dedicated team and you, our loyal customers, along with our responsibility to the greater community at large.
“We have made this decision because it’s the responsible thing to do. We will reopen when we know it is safe to do so and we look forward to seeing you again once this heartbreaking health crisis has passed.”
Team Smiggle posted, “in these unprecedented and uncertain times, the safety and wellbeing of our team members, customers and communities are key”.
Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said it was a challenging time for the retail industry and the government was doing all it could do to help them.
“For people who are now unable to work or have had hours significantly reduced, the government has reduced waiting times for Jobseeker allowance as well as introducing the coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight over the next six months,” she said. “This equated to $1100 a fortnight.”
Ms Wicks said there were cash grants for small to medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations of up to $100,000 to boost cash flow. There is also an apprentice wage subsidy as well as a scheme for small to medium businesses to ensure access to working capital by guaranterring 50 per cent of new loans.
“In terms of business, the government is doing all it can,” she said.
“We are well prepared for the challenge coronavirus is presenting and we want to ensure businesses are ready to stand up again when we are on the other side of this challenge.”