Aussie shoppers urged to head back to physical stores post lockdown

There is something all Aussie shoppers can do this Xmas to avoid delivery delays and beat global supply chain issues.

Craig Triffitt, owner of Billy Baxters Home Depot at Wareemba in Sydney, is delighted that retail is back. Picture: Richard Dobson

Retailers are calling on shoppers to back local business as bricks and mortar stores reopen in the lead up to Christmas.

This is the “most critical time of the year” when retailers make up to two-thirds of their annual profits, according to Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra.

“We’re expecting it to be a strong trading period and our research shows that most people will be spending the same or more than they did on Christmas gifts this year compared to 2020,” Mr Zahra said.

“Consumer sentiment is upbeat, so retailers will be looking to capitalise on the elevated confidence levels.

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot of pent-up demand in locked down parts of the country, and we’re seeing this now in New South Wales where people are out and about in great numbers enjoying all the things they’ve missed these past three months – shopping in stores, dining out, or getting their hair and nails done.”

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show online shopping surged during the most-recent lockdowns, with $4.2 million spent nationally in August – more than double the same month in 2019.

Although online sales represented the highest proportion of retail trade on record (15 per cent), Mr Zahra expected the ratio to stabilise as people returned to physical stores.

“Shopping remains a tactile, sensory, and social experience which means the in-person experience is hard to beat,” he said.

“It’s been an up and down year for retailers, in particular small businesses who’ve had to deal with snap lockdowns that are announced with no notice.

“We certainly hope they are a thing of the past and that there are brighter days ahead for the all-important festive trading period.”

His message for Christmas shoppers this year was to shop early to avoid disappointment amid global supply chain issues, local delivery problems and staff shortages.

“It’s also a timely reminder to think about your local retailer – they have had a terrible year and would welcome your support so please shop locally,” he said.

Craig Triffitt, owner of Billy Baxters Home Depot at Wareemba in Sydney, is delighted that retail is back now that Covid restrictions have been eased. Picture: Richard Dobson

Small Business Women Australia founder Amanda Rose echoed this sentiment.

“Don’t flood to the large chains – if you are capable, buy local,” she said.

Ms Rose said small business owners in Sydney were glad to restart in-store trading after extended lockdowns, but some were cautious to celebrate too early and the NSW Government’s new Summer Holiday Stock Guarantee – under which eligible SMEs receive up to $20,000 to compensate for loss of stock if they are impacted by a local lockdown – was making business owners uneasy.

“They are happy to reopen, not just to make money to pay off massive debts but also to engage and interact with people, because that’s why a lot of people open retail stores,” she said.

Amanda Rose, founder of Small Business Women Australia. Picture: Monique Harmer

“But some feel uncomfortable having to check (customers’) vaccination status and are unsure if rules will change again so they are cautious with that.

“To bring out (the Stock Guarantee) means the Government has intention to lock down again.

“Small businesses are definitely happy to open up but they need to remain open for a minimum year straight.”

Craig Triffitt, owner of Billy Baxters Home Depot in Wareemba and Rozelle, said the Christmas trading period was “absolutely” important for his homewares stores.

He had pivoted to embrace click and collect online shopping during the pandemic, but his customer base was still “very much bricks and mortar shoppers”.

“Last year when we went through the lockdown, people were really keen to support us and I think it will be even more so this year,” he said.

Originally published as Aussie shoppers urged to head back to physical stores post lockdown