Coronavirus: Chadstone traders take a hit but centre still attracts shoppers

Chadstone traders have reported a lull in customers as fears of the coronavirus sweep Melbourne. But shoppers are not convinced the illness is all to blame for the downturn.

It was a bit easier than usual to get a spot in the normally congested carparks.

Trade is down at Melbourne’s biggest shopping centre, but fears of the coronavirus weren’t enough to stop diehard shoppers from keeping tills ticking over.

Monash Leader visited Chadstone this afternoon and found it easier than usual to get a carpark and less of a challenge finding a table in the food court.

Thoroughfares were also quieter and a Target staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was “obvious” numbers were down and that she believed it was due to “fears of the coronavirus”.

But shopper Tiffany, who withheld her last name, said coronavirus was “not a major issue here”.

There were some spare tables at the food court at lunchtime on Wednesday.

The thoroughfares were quieter than usual.

Crowds were down outside Portmans.

“Some people might be staying away because of that but I think there are other factors, too,’’ she said.

“Money is tight for people just after school goes back, for example.

“It might be that tourism is down and that might be affecting the overall numbers.”

And Zissos, who didn’t give his surname, a merchandise representative at Myer, said he had been busy all morning with customers.

Chadstone centre manager Michael Whitehead said the safety and wellbeing of all at the complex was the priority.

“We are continuing to monitor and act upon recommendations from our federal and state health departments,” he said.

“To assist with (good hygiene) we have placed public hand sanitisers across the centre and at amenities for our customers, retailers and team member to use.”

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The quiet period follows the usually busy periods of the Australia Day long weekend, the Lunar New Year and back to school shopping.

The Leader reported that trade at Box Hill Central was down amid coronavirus fears last week.

Traders reported a drop in trade between 50 and 60 per cent.

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