Chadstone shoppers flock to Chanel, Gucci as shopping centre stores begin to reopen
Melbourne’s landmark retail precincts are becoming increasingly busy, with one trader saying there’s “definitely more people out and about this week” as stores open their doors — and there are talks department giant Myer will soon follow.
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Melbourne’s major shopping precincts are becoming increasingly busy as more stores open their doors — and there are talks of department giant Myer soon following.
Leader visited Chadstone shopping centre on Thursday, and spoke to a Myer staff member who confirmed there were talks of the department store reopening by May 30.
In Queensland, Myer will trial reopening five stores today.
Some services will remain suspended including beauty appointments, intimate apparel fittings and access to change rooms.
A Myer spokesman said the store’s priority was the health and wellbeing of its customers to assist and support governments in limiting the spread of the virus.
There were large crowds at Chadstone, with queues of people also waiting in lining up to get into Apple, which opened earlier this week.
Several stores are still shut, including Forever New, Bras N Things, Sephora, Jay Jays, Zara and Mecca Maxima.
Chadstone will be open from 10am to 7pm on Saturday, with the others operating from 9am to 5pm in a move designed to allow for more appropriate social distancing with an increased volume of shoppers expected.
Meanwhile, on Chapel St fashion retailers including Siricco, Calibre, Industrie, Cotton On, Thurston and Howell, White Luxe Boutique, Oscar Wylee and Glassons have reopened.
Other retailers including Windsor Smith, West Elm, Cotton On Body, BYBL by Bettina Liano, Gorman and Saba remain shut.
The popular shopping strip was busy with dozens of people seen shopping around the precinct.
Caterpillar Boutique by Roubi B worker Liz Andor said the store had reopened this week and was trialling shorter trading hours.
“It’s been a really hard time for businesses along the strip. It’s also been hard for business owners as there was no money coming in,” Ms Andor said.
“There is definitely more people out and about this week and I hope they do lift restrictions soon, so businesses can recoup their losses.”
Abacus Bar and Kitchen worker Andy Wong said the business had also picked up this week.
“We were closed for two months, so it’s really good to be opened again. It’s starting to get busier and we hope it picks up more in coming weeks,” Mr Wong said.
Chapel Street Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus said it was more important than ever to support local businesses.
“Our small businesses are the heart and colour of our community and we must do whatever we can to support them and save our iconic precinct,” Ms Maus said.
Leader also visited The Glen and saw only a small number of fashion retailers trading.
Some retailers, including Target, David Jones, Typo, Dusk, Sportsfirst, OPSM, Peter Jackson, Gazman and Macpac, were open.
Workers were also seen setting up in Uniqlo.
Valleygirl, Jeanswest, Bonds, Mecca, Collette, H&M, T2 and Decjuba were still closed.
One shopper Anne said she was surprised so many stores were still closed.
“I was at Chadstone earlier in the week and there was so much more open, I hope more stores start reopening here, we enjoy coming to The Glen,” she said.
New Balance have opened their Cheltenham and Collingwood stores, while Big W has returned to extended late night trading.
SHOPPERS FLOCK TO CHADSTONE LUXURY OUTLETS
Shoppers desperate for a high-end retail fix are hightailing it to Chadstone, with designers including Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton open — and queues forming.
The Leader visited Chadstone on Friday, May 1, and saw several shops open, with others preparing to open for weekend trade.
The centre appeared to have larger crowds, compared to last week.
At the centre’s luxury retailer hall, shops including Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabbana and Chanel were open.
The Leader saw a queue of shoppers at Chanel lining up to get in and many browsing in Louis Vuitton.
Other retailers that were opened included Rebel Sport, Platypus, Universal Store, Macpac, Hype, Skechers and Culture Kings.
Shops including Victoria’s Secret, Michael Kors, H&M, Myer, Mecca Maxima and Morphe were still shut.
Every store has a notice at the front outlining its social distancing rules and customer capacity.
Jewellery shop Bevilles has a capacity of 13, with staff seen to be maintaining distance between customers.
There were also no screens or any other protective measures up in shops that Leader visited.
There are social distancing stickers dotted throughout the centre.
A fashion retail worker said today was the store’s first day of trade.
“It’s really great to be opened, our hours have adjusted to 10am to 5pm everyday, our store is practising all social distancing rules,” she said.
But shopper Andre Leclair said he was shocked to find the designer shops opened.
“How are these essential items? It’s really confusing. It’s good that shops are opening, but I think a lot of people are confused about what’s essential and what’s not,” Mr Leclair said.
Leader was also told by several fashion retailers they would remain open after Mother’s Day.
“We were told to open now before Mother’s Day and to ease into working again slowly,” one worker said.
Police were also seen patrolling the centre to enforce social distancing rules.
Retail and Fast Food Workers Union secretary Josh Cullinan said the union was deeply concerned about shops opening and reopening early.
“Any shop, store or outlet remaining open or re-opening at this time comply with the specific requirements of the Safe Work Australia guidelines,” Mr Cullinan said.
“We know that some stores cannot and are not complying with Safe Work Australia guidelines such as JB Hifi. That is why almost 1000 JB Hifi workers – including a significant group from Chadstone – have demanded management close stores,” he said.
He said the obligations laid out in the guidelines were substantial and must be complied with by every employer.
“They require that social distancing be strictly enforced, products be washed and sanitised frequently, workers be consulted before any changes are implemented and much more.
“Employers who choose not to put in place these systems are putting not just their workers but very many customers at risk.”
SEED SLAMMED
Some shoppers expressed anger on Seed’s Instagram page after the retailer announced it would open selected stores on Thursday.
Albert Park, Brighton, Camberwell and Hawksburn Village are among the stores which have opened their doors.
One user wrote: “Just curious how the Vic stores opening is in line with restrictions, which say you should only be going out for food and essential supplies”.
WESTFIELD FOUNTAIN GATE RETAILERS BEGIN TO REOPEN
Westfield Fountain Gate retailers have begun to open their doors, a month after being shut due to the impact of COVID-19.
The Leader visited Westfield Fountain Gate on Thursday and saw dozens of retailers open and preparing to open for trading on May 1.
Shops open at Westfield Fountain Gate include Lovisa, Tarocash, Macpac, Pandora, Rebel Sports, The Reject Shop, Daiso and several more.
Retailers including Connor, Katies, Millers and Glassons were also seen setting up shop.
The centre appeared to be busier compared to previous weeks, with several shoppers seen visiting Kmart and EB Games.
Fountain Gate is also among other major shopping centres including Chadstone and Doncaster, which opened mobile coronavirus testing sites on Thursday.
Seed stores including those in Albert Park, Brighton, Camberwell and Hawksburn Village also opened their doors on Thursday on a trial basis.
Retail shopping strips across Melbourne are also springing back to life, with Mecca reopening on High St, Armadale and Church St, Brighton, and some fashion boutiques resuming business along Berwick’s High St and other popular strips.
The Leader also visited Westfield Southland with only essential service retailers open including supermarkets, but crowds were larger than previous weeks.
Fountain Gate retail worker Dawn, who opened her fashion shop on Tuesday, said shoppers had been left “confused” due to some shops opening earlier than others.
“It’s been great for us to get back in and work, but even shoppers are confused as to why we’ve opened given that there’s still restrictions in place,” she said.
“The centre has been a lot busier and plenty of stores are opening on Friday, so that’s positive and we hope people keep social distancing in mind.”
A Fountain Gate cafe owner, who asked not to be named, said she hoped the centre would provide rent assistance.
“We haven’t paid rent since March and I hope in coming weeks they are fair with us. If we have to pay the same rates, we would have to shut up shop,” she said.
Several retailers at Chadstone shopping centre are also expected to re-open in coming weeks.
Grant Kelley, chief executive of Vicinity Centres, which owns Chadstone, said as one of Australia’s largest retail landlords it had an integral role to play, along with government, to support its retail industry and ensure its prosperity for years to come.
“We are continuing to work directly with our retailers on a case-by-case basis during this period,” Mr Kelley said.
“In a number of our centres, some retailers, large and small, national brands and food operators who voluntarily closed their doors are now reopening their stores. In fact there are more stores reopening now than choosing to close.”
A Scentre Group spokeswoman said all 37 Westfield centres in Australia were open and trading.
“Approximately 42 per cent of our stores are open across Australia and more retailers are talking to us about reopening,” she said.
“We continue to talk to all of our retail partners on a case-by-case basis as there is no one-size-fits-all solution for these unprecedented times.
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