General Retail - Supermarkets, Shopping Centres, Department Stores

[verbatim9]

Coles keeps Liquor Outlets in scrupulous deal.

Australian Financial Review--------------------->https://www.afr.com/business/retail/coles-inks-deal-with-kkr-20190305-h1bzlv

Coles aims for liquor growth in Queensland after KKR deal
Sue Mitchell
Updated Mar 5, 2019 — 6.50pm,
first published at 9.41am

Coles hopes to increase alcohol sales in Queensland despite hiving off its hotel and gaming operations through a joint-venture deal aimed at overcoming the state's archaic liquor licensing laws.

As first reported by The Australian Financial Review's Street Talk on Monday, Coles has entered into a joint venture with KKR's Australian Venue Co, which owns about 60 pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants around Australia.

Australian Venue Co will run Coles' 87 Spirit Hotels venues in Queensland, including about 3000 poker machines, while Coles will manage the day-to-day operations of 243 bottle shops in Queensland and 10 bottle shops attached to Spirit Hotels in Western Australia and South Australia.

KKR's Australian Venue Co will manage the day-to-day operations of Coles' 87 Spirit Hotels.  Jesse Marlow

Coles will take the profits from the bottle shops and receive about $200 million cash – less than the $300 million expected and $20 million less than book value – while AVC will take the profits from the hotels and gaming operations.

The deal initially will dent Coles' liquor sales by $200 million and earnings by about $13 million, or 15 per cent on a pro forma basis. This follows Coles' new petrol-supply deal with Viva Energy, which will reduce Coles' earnings from fuel unless volumes grow substantially.

New bottle shops
However, the deal opens opportunities for Coles to expand its network of bottle shops in Queensland for the first time since 2005 and 2006, when the retailer snapped up 90 hotels for about $800 million to build its national liquor business.

Under Queensland's liquor licensing laws, businesses must hold commercial hotel licences to operate retail liquor outlets. Operators can run up to three such stores within a 10-kilometre radius of a pub.

AVC is keen to buy more pubs in Queensland and under the terms of the joint venture Coles will have the right to operate existing bottle shops attached to new hotels or open new bottle shops using the liquor licences attached to new hotels. AVC would fund the purchase of new pubs and Coles would fund the purchase or development of new bottle shops.

Coles is uncomfortable with its exposure to poker machines and since 2012 has been seeking a way to get out of hotels and gaming – while retaining the lucrative bottle shops.

Coles has about 899 liquor stores, most of them in NSW and Victoria where it no longer owns hotels.

Street Talk first flagged a year ago that KKR, which bought hotelier Bruce Dixon's pub group in June 2017 for about $190 million, was running the numbers on Coles' hotels.

Coles chief executive Steven Cain hinted two weeks ago that a "breakthrough" on the long-running negotiations was nigh.

"The agreement with AVC will enable each party to bring relevant expertise to the joint venture," Mr Cain said on Tuesday.

"AVC is a highly experienced and responsible operator of quality hospitality venues ... and has plans to grow the hotel portfolio in Queensland, which will in turn provide Coles with the opportunity to further grow its retail liquor business in that state."

The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including landlord consent. Liquor and gaming authorities in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have indicated they have no objections to the joint venture.

To comply with Queensland licensing laws, all primary functional assets, including the licences and authorities, will be held by the joint venture vehicle, Queensland Venue Co.

Macquarie Equities analyst Quinn Pierson said the transaction was positive from an environmental, social and governance perspective and the $200 million cash would help Coles reduce debt.

"Despite this, with two significant earnings downgrades occurring in the last quarter (the Viva deal and Coles' first-half results) we are cautious," he said.

Pressure mounts on Woolworths
Coles' deal with KKR is likely to increase pressure on Woolworths, which is Australia's largest pokies operator with about 12,000 machines, to exit gaming, possibly by doing a similar deal with joint-venture partner ALH, which owns about 300 hotels and 550 bottle shops.

Woolworths owns 75 per cent of ALH Group (formerly known as Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group) and earned $260 million on sales of $1.6 billion from hotels and gaming last year.

Woolworths and advisers Citi and UBS are believed to have been working for months on plans to spin off ALH into a separately listed company to minimise the reputational damage from poker machines.

Liquor and gaming regulators in NSW, Queensland and Victoria have been investigating ALH following allegations staff broke laws by giving poker-machine players free drinks.

Coles was advised by Herbert Smith Freehills, while Allens, Evans Dixon and HopgoodGanim Lawyers advised KKR and AVC.

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Coles keeps Liquor Outlets in scrupulous deal

Australian Financial Review--------------------->https://www.afr.com/business/retail/coles-inks-deal-with-kkr-20190305-h1bzlv

This maybe good for Coles but not good for the overall supermarket sector. I hope the Qld Government has some changes up their sleeve to allow Aldi, IGA and other medium to small supermarkets to sell packaged liquor, without spending millions on a pub to do so.

They could reclassify/amend this licence to allow supermarkets to sell package liquor. It allows liquor to be sold but not being the primary source of business. This would also take care of potential pre drinkers as they would need to buy a percentage of food along with the packaged liquor sale.

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It's time to rethink how packaged liquor is sold in Queensland

An ABC Brisbane Poll from late last year shows that 66% of people surveyed via Facebook are supportive of Queensland Supermarkets to sell Packaged Liquor.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156914831229669&id=59944789668

^^Allowing supermarkets the ability to be licensed would ensure a new revenue stream for Government. Fairer distribution of consumer funds to smaller and medium businesses. Increased competition in the liquor market resulting in extended choice and competitive price for consumers. Potential of increased employment in the Trades Industry, to retrofit stores, to stock packaged liquor in aisles, or in a partially partitioned area within stores

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Bunnings Newstead Flagship store Grand opening this weekend

Couriermail----------------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/north/you-dont-usually-see-this-at-bunnings-travelator-links-floors-at-huge-new-site/news-story/e920772213266aa6f1d098634d125a16

It's HUGE, and it's finally open. Drive down Breakfast Creek Rd towards Newstead and it's hard to miss the massive chunk of real estate that is the new Bunnings Warehouse site.

It dominates the street like a safety vest at a black tie party — impossible to miss.

City North News was granted an exclusive sneak peek of the new Bunnings Warehouse Newstead store before it welcomed customers on Thursday and ahead Friday's official opening.

On the corner of Breakfast Creek Rd and Edmund St, Newstead, the new Bunnings Warehouse site includes other retail tenancies on the lower floor. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker
Locals — and the 60,000-plus cars that drive past it every day — have been watching its construction with anticipation since work began in March last year.

It's the company's first multi-level warehouse in Queensland, says complex manager Leigh Streeter.

That explains the item not usually seen on a Bunnings floor — a travelator. (No, it's not for sale.)

But Leigh — who was formerly manager at Stafford Bunnings — says there are other touches unique to the store. He says it's on a compact footprint, but because it goes up not out, there is 17,000 sqm of floorspace. That means a wider range of products. There's also a rooftop nursery with a stunning view over Newstead and out to the city.


The new Bunnings Warehouse Newstead has a rooftop nursery. Picture: Amanda Horswill
The store has been designed, Leigh says, to cater for the army of innercity tradies working on the many high density residential developments and soaring commercial projects currently underway in the city and the city's northern fringe areas.

And there are more products that would suit apartment-dwellers, such as scaled-down outdoor furniture, compact barbecues and lots of balcony-smart plants.

This is just one of a handful of new sites Bunnings will crack open this year, with a warehouse taking on the site of the former failed Masters hardware chain at Robina recently, and other stores at Virginia and Acacia Ridge under construction.

The new site will replace the existing Albion warehouse.

Lutwyche City Shopping Centre will have paid parking and staff are furious


A Bunnings spokesman confirmed that staff working at Albion would be moved to the company's new city location, although a date had not been set for the old store's closure.

"More than 230 locals are official team members of the new Bunnings Warehouse Newstead," he said. "(There will be) 150 new recruits joining the existing team from the current Albion store, who will transfer to the new warehouse once the Albion warehouses closes."

It has been reported the Albion site was sold for $14 million last month, to car dealership AP Eagers. Reports stated Bunnings would leave the site in June.

Festivities at the Newstead site are on from 9am-3pm this weekend and 9am-2pm next weekend, and include a jumping castle, magic show, animal farm and face painting, and special events each day from 11am (a more detailed schedule is listed below).


What's this inside the new Bunnings at Newstead? Picture: AAP/Richard Walker
WHAT'S IN STORE

The Newstead store is like the TARDIS — it seems huge on the outside but even bigger once inside.

Parking is via the rear of the building, off Ross St, although Leigh promises that there will be the traditional sausage sizzles held at the "official" front of the store — Breakfast Creek Rd — as a temporary measure until a more permanent spot is sorted.

There are two floors of undercover parking. Entry from the basement is via a very spiffy glass-doored lift.


Bunnings Warehouse Newstead's tradie goods loading area. Picture: Amanda Horswill
The tradie dock is on the first floor — a ramp leads from Edmund St up to the tradie customer loading dock, which has four lanes where deliveries can be loaded.

It's physically inside the building. Floor-to-ceiling racks of shelving hold a full range of tradie goods, Leigh says.

"At smaller stores the range is sometimes compromised," he said.


The first floor of the retail section of the new Bunnings Warehouse Newstead. The travelators lead to home decor. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker
The retail area is vast and airconditioned. The lower level holds the aisles for such things as plumbing, hardware, power tools, kitchen cabinetry and other hardcore hardware.

It's the usual line-up in the usual way expected from a neat and orderly warehouse. Apart from the soaring ceilings above the check-outs. And the excellent, elevated view of the street from the entry foyer (expect a lot of "just doing a spot of DIY on a lazy Sunday" Instagram portraits to be taken there — the light is excellent).

Travelling up the travelator, shoppers are treated to a bird's eye view of the lower floor, and it's then that the TARDIS effect takes place. It's actually a much smaller space than I first thought.

But once upstairs, the very high ceiling with windows that wash the entire top floor with natural light. Leigh says the roof was designed to echo the rooflines of Newstead's traditional warehouses.

Products with a home decor and lifestyle feel are kept up here, from barbecues, to wallpaper and paint, lighting, and plants.

And there is also the parent-saving children's playground and cafe.


Bunnings Warehouse Newstead. Picture: Amanda Horswill
A large part of the retail floor is occupied by outdoor living, to reflect Brisbane's enviable lifestyle.

"We carry smaller barbecues and more compact outdoor settings to accommodate apartment living as well," Leigh said.

Leigh says the store carries about 60 styles of barbecues, with most — but not all — set up in store. He says it took 25 people eight hours to assemble the barbies on display.

"Some of the barbecues come partially assembled, but some we had to do from scratch," he said, adding that if customers did buy a barbie, you could hire someone to assemble it for you at your home.


Nursery with a view. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker
Beyond the barbies and the outdoor settings is the nursery, which has to have one of the most unusual views for any garden centre anywhere. Because it's on the roof of the first floor, people can browse the aisles of plants while taking in the view of Newstead and the city beyond. It's lovely — and actually a pretty pleasant place to be on a stinking hot autumn day, as it turns out.

While the range doesn't look as extensive as other Bunnings sites, it covers all the main categories of plants needed in a small garden.

But Leigh says we have to head inside to see the hot trend of the moment in plants.

"Indoor plants are trending, as well as artificial plants," he said.

He probably saw my look of horror, because he added, "no, really, they look really good, lifelike".


An artificial green wall, which Bunnings Warehouse Newstead manager Leigh Streeter says is all the rage. Picture: Amanda Horswill
Leigh walked me back past the barbies to a large section of artificial plants. Some I had to touch to see if they were actually made of plastic.

"They have really changed," he said, taking down a large square of plastic green leaves attached to a rubber tile.

"These are used to create artificial green walls," he said. "They are really popular.

"And orchids," he says, picking up a white orchid that looked pretty real, "they are one of the hardest plants to grow. But this looks real." The 75cm large white orchid retails for $39.98 each.

Leigh Streeter with the large white artificial orchid at Bunnings Warehouse Newstead. Picture: Amanda Horswill

Artificial plants are even popping up in lights at Bunnings Warehouse Newstead.

The Grand Opening weekend festivities will continue throughout two weekends in March with a range of fun-filled activities for the whole family on offer:

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

• 9am-3pm: Jumping Castle, Giant Games, Magic Show, Animal Farm, face painting, Sno Cones, popcorn, lolly bags

• 11am-2pm: Matt Golinski Meet & Greet

Sunday 17 March

• 9am-3pm: Jumping Castle, Giant Games, Magic Show, Animal Farm, face painting, Sno Cones, popcorn, lolly bags

• 11am-2pm: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Donatello & Michaelangelo Meet & Greet

• 11am-1pm: Ruby The Little Red Ice-Cream Van

Saturday 23 March

• 9am-2pm: Jumping Castle, Giant Games, Magic Show, Animal Farm, face painting, Sno Cones, popcorn, lolly bags

• 11am-2pm: Bumblebee Meet & Greet

• 11am-1pm: Bike 'n' Blend Smoothie Machines

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

• 9am-2pm: Jumping Castle, Giant Games, Magic Show, Animal Farm, face painting, Sno Cones, popcorn, lolly bags

• 11am-2pm: Gabi Simpson & Gretel Tippett Meet & Greet

Bunnings Warehouse Newstead is located at 142-160 Breakfast Creek Rd, Newstead, QLD, 4006.

[verbatim9]

Big W may close 1/3  of their stores




Couriermail--------------------------------------->'Big W may have to shut 60 stores'

https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/big-w-could-be-forced-to-shut-one-third-of-stores/news-story/2b38cf4cf6f69f7bea2eb6ed9bfcac2d


^^This is good news for Kaufland and Decathalon looking for new retail outlets in Australia. Some Big W sites could easily be expanded to suit Kaufland's requirements. As for Decathalon it would already suit as per floor space.

[verbatim9]

Sunshine Plaza redevelopment to open March 28

Couriermail----------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-plaza-redevelopment-a-gamechanger-creating-thousands-of-jobs/news-story/cc50e81891b8ee2684b898bb4869c4c1?login=1

Sunshine Plaza redevelopment a game-changer creating thousands of jobs

PETER HALL, The Courier-Mail

March 16, 2019 1:53pm

Subscriber only

SUN, surf and shop ... a futuristic retail expansion on the Sunshine Coast is being hailed as an economic game-changer that will create thousands of jobs and inject billions into the economy.

Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore has undergone a $440 million redevelopment, which has attracted 114 new tenancies, including some of the biggest names in the game.

Opening on Thursday, March 28, it will be the first "super-regional" shopping centre north of Brisbane, expected to generate 2300 additional retail jobs.

A super-regional centre incorporates two full-line department stores, one or more full-line discount department stores, two supermarkets and about 250 specialty stores.

Lendlease's Sunshine Plaza will have 345 retailers and has secured the region's first David Jones and H&M stores, as well as a new Big W which will all open as part of the redevelopment.

The total expansion adds 35,000sq m of retail space to the existing centre, and includes more than 100 additional specialty stores, such as MECCA, Sheike, lululemon, Sephora, Seed Heritage, Endota Spa, JB Hi-Fi, Kathmandu and Baku. Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein are coming soon.

By mid-year, Sunshine Plaza will be home to the first outdoor high ropes course at a major regional shopping centre in the country and the world's largest ropes course on poles. It will include a 22m-high viewing deck, 150 challenges and 16 zip lines, with the longest one at 130m across Cornmeal Creek.

Lendlease's retail managing director, Gary Horwitz, said the investment was a wise one given the Sunshine Coast was "under-retailed", had 400,000 shoppers and a $5.3 billion annual retail market.

Best friends Brooke Reeves, 21, and Izzie Lunny, 19, are looking forward to shopping til they drop in the new look expanded Sunshine Coast Plaza. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mr Horwitz said the target for Sunshine Plaza was to secure about 20 per cent – or $1 billion – of this in coming years.

"We also looked at the region's population growth, the improving infrastructure and, of course, the amazing location.

"Sunshine Plaza has very little competition, it is dominant. It has a wonderful feel. There are elements of entertainment and ecology with the creek nearby ... it feels more like a resort."

Mr Horwitz said that with only two shops remaining, the redevelopment was likely to be 100 per cent leased on opening.

"It's an indication of how strong the market is and the demand for the touch, feel and sensory aspects associated with bricks and mortar retail," he said.

Pineapple Express Owner Tom Sweep is excited to launch their latest store at the new look Sunshine Coast Plaza at Maroochydore. Picture: Lachie Millard

Sunshine Coast Business Council chair, Sandy Zubrinich, believes the expansion of the Plaza and the brands it has attracted demonstrate a real vote of confidence for the region.

"It's very encouraging to see Lendlease reinforce its existing commitment to the Sunshine Coast with such a significant investment into the expansion of the Sunshine Plaza," Ms Zubrinich said.

"This opening is much anticipated, not only by the retail industry but also by sectors such as the tourism and service industries, who stand to benefit greatly from both this initial $440 million injection into our economy and the revenue it will continue to generate into the future.

"We can't underestimate how much projects like the new hospital, the Aura development, the upgrade of our airport, the soon-to-be-opened Maroochydore CBD and the securing of the international submarine broadband cable, have all contributed to creating greater awareness of the region and its future potential."

Ms Zubrinich said the Sunshine Coast was coming of age on a number of levels.

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Simon Latchford said the retail bonanza would provide a huge bonus for his sector.

"Quality shopping is an integral component of many travellers' holiday experience, so the expansion of Sunshine Plaza and the introduction of new, national retail outlets will significantly enhance the Sunshine Coast's tourism appeal," Mr Latchford said.

"Maroochydore is already renowned as having one of Queensland's best beaches, and adding quality retail will make it an even more attractive destination for visitors."

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Major plans are underway to breathe new life into the struggling Jindalee DFO.

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1107928570997796864

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Report predicts more big box closures in under performing areas on the way in Australia. (Dan Murphys, Bunnings, Big W, First Choice Liquor Market are likely).

Couriermail------------------------------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/nations-310-billion-retail-sector-under-threat-warns-deloitte-access-economics/news-story/2b701c70d61064789d596b941d3ce1e0

Nation's $310 billion retail sector under threat, warns Deloitte Access Economics
John Dagge, The economy, The Daily Telegraph
March 19, 2019 10:59pm
Subscriber only
A nation living beyond its means has propped up many retailers but a reckoning looms this year, a leading economic forecaster has warned.

The viability of many in the nation's $310 billion retail sector will be threatened this year as house prices fall and spending dries up, according to a new report from Deloitte Access Economics.

That said, those that make it through will benefit from a pick-up in consumer spending from 2020 onwards, Deloitte analysts say.

The grim short-term outlook comes as Morgan Stanley warns big-box retail appears to be "slowly dying".

Latest financial updates from heavyweights such as Dan Murphy's and Bunnings raise the prospect of "significant" store closures, according to analysts at the investment bank.

Big box retailers such as hardware giant Bunnings are facing a tough outlook, says investment bank Morgan Stanley.


CO-OPERATE OR COMPETE: LOCAL RETAILS WEIGH UP AMAZON OPTIONS

TERRY MCCRANN: WHY THIS WEEK'S JOBS NUMBERS ARE KEY

Deloitte's report, to be released today, shows retail sales growth slowed to 2.2 per cent last year.

Sales growth is expected to slip further this year, to 1.6 per cent, before lifting back to 2.2 per cent in 2020.

Deloitte economist David Rumbens said the retail sector had been supported by households dipping into savings in order to spend.

Spending has grown at an average rate of 2.5 per cent annually over the past five years while household disposable income has only risen by 1.9 per cent a year.

"That difference is a fair chunk of change," Mr Rumbens said.

"Many retailers have only survived the last few years because we have lived beyond our means."

Mr Rumbens said the willingness of households to continue to spend rather than save would evaporate as property prices fell in major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney.

"When overall net wealth is heading downwards, it provides a fairly strong incentive for people to be more prudent with their cash," he said.

Liquor chain Dan Murphy's is another big box retailer facing an uncertain future, according to investment bank Morgan Stanley.
"The willingness of households to forgo savings for spending will come under pressure as the housing market moderates."

While spending was slowing, Mr Rumbens said the upcoming federal Budget and election would provide the retail sector with some relief as the government spent up in order to win over voters.

"The federal election will deliver a sugar hit to consumers to help get through what would otherwise be a more constrained income environment," he said.

Spending would pick up in 2020 as house prices stopped falling and pressure on wage growth increased, Mr Rumbens said.

Morgan Stanley said an analysis of the financials of 22 major retailers for the first half of this financial year shows only three majors grew sales more than 2.5 per cent.


"We think that consumers are shifting away from big-box retail formats as they increasingly prefer convenience and experiences that are better cultivated in a small-box environment," Mr Kierath said.

"Further, we think online is taking a disproportionate bite out of the big-box retailers."

Retailers covered included Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, Dan Murphy's, Rebel, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, Myer, The Reject Shop and Baby Bunting.

Mr Kierath said soft sales per square metre would "likely bite soon", potentially forcing retailers to cut back on staffing, opening hours or marketing, and to close stores.

"Big box retailing looks to be slowly dying in Australia," he said.

"We think that over the coming 12 to 18 months significant store closures are likely."

john.dagge@news.com.au

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Bunnings pilots online sales in Victoria for a potential national rollout

Australian Financial Review---------------------------------------------->https://www.afr.com/technology/web/ecommerce/bunnings-to-launch-full-ecommerce-service-20190320-h1ckr1

Bunnings to launch full e-commerce service
MARCH 20, 2019
However, Mr Schneider says there are ample opportunities to grow faster than the market by widening Bunnings' range, expanding services, deepening its engagement with customers and growing its share of sales in categories where it is currently underrepresented, such as kitchens, bathrooms, window furnishings and flooring.

Bunnings is expanding its range by moving into adjacent categories such as home safety, bike, clothing and tool storage, and "smart" or internet connected devices such as light switches and security cameras.

Bunnings is also expanding its services to appeal to 'do it for me' customers and millennials with few DIY skills.

The company has launched a quoting service for kitchen and painting and is offering fixed price installation of products such as toilets, ceiling fans, sink and basin mixers and bathroom heating lamps.

Bunnings has been loathe in the past to offer services such as installation and construction – despite growing demand from time-poor customers and those lacking DIY skills – because it feared a bad experience could backfire and even leave the retailer liable for costs or damages.

However, Bunnings has been gradually increasing its range of services, which now include kitchen design, colour consulting, shed and garage door assembly, door hanging, BBQ assembly, and hot water heater and airconditioning installations.

Mr Schneider is also growing Bunnings' trade offer, which is estimated to account for less than 20 per cent of sales, by expanding its range, launching a new trade website last November, investing in training and sales and exploring new segments such as commercial joinery and landscaping.

Bunnings is maintaining its annual target for 10 to 14 new stores a year, even though analysts believe new stores are cannibalising existing stores and sales per square metre is starting to flatten.

Mr Schneider says new store formats will be flexible to suit different sites and market characteristics and expects sales density to improve over time.

[verbatim9]

^^The Fin Review are reporting on Bunning's expansion into online sales which is reasonable, yet contradictory to the Deloitte report of store closures due to the big box slowdown and non appeal in some circumstances, as reported by News Ltd.

[verbatim9]

Lutwyche City Shopping centre stage 1 nearing completion.


Couriermail----------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/north/jobs-specials-as-stores-reopen-in-65m-lutwyche-city-reno/news-story/e05c22ae491ca0b04e5038fa6362967d

Jobs, specials as stores reopen in $65M Lutwyche City reno

Amanda Horswill, City North News

37 minutes ago

Subscriber only

The fruits of the $65 million Lutwyche City revamp are beginning to be enjoyed by customers and businesses owners, as new and new-look stores opening there this week.

Some of the stores are staging specials and events to celebrate, and one wants to hire new employees.

Aldi Lutwyche finalised its move from one site to another inside the Lutwyche Rd centre, and reopens today.

More local news on Facebook: @NorthBrisbaneCommunityNews

and online at questnews.com.au/north

Coles' new-look store will stage its official reopening on Saturday, sporting a "cheese wall" and a market-style fresh produce department and a new-look bakery.

Snap Fitness Lutwyche is also enjoying is reopening week in their permanent spot, after a 12-month stay in temporary digs.

A new hairdresser, S&S Hair, and a Japanese eatery, Sandos, opened last week.

Work is still continuing at the centre, with a 34000 sqm Woolworths supermarket and a new balcony eatery area set to open later this year.

An Aldi spokesman said there was a few extra-special specials at the new store.

"The new store is now also 1177 square metres, having increased from 903 square metres at our previous location," he said. "New features include redesigned shelving, expanded wooden produce bays, as well as extended energy efficient chillers. As energy management remains a key priority for ALDI, the store has energy efficient LED lighting. There are also new registers, improved point-of-sale displays and store signage.

"In addition to our regular weekly Special Buys, customers will also have access to exclusive reopening Special Buys including a 60" Ultra HD 4K TV ($479), 40" Full HD TV with built-in DVD player ($199), 25L Microwave ($49.99) and Dyson DC37C Origin Vacuum Cleaner ($299), while stocks last."
n aArtist's impression of the upgraded Lutwyche City shopping centre.

Coles State General Manager Jerry Farrell said the Lutwyche renovations were part of the company's investment of around $55 million in Brisbane's northside during the past five years, creating more than 250 local retail jobs at new and refurbished Coles supermarkets including Brookside, Newmarket, Chermside, Kedron, Aspley, and Alderley.

"There's a growing demand for a more convenient shopping experience in the Lutwyche community, and we've seen an increase in customers looking for convenient, quality products and great service. The team has worked hard to make sure our store reflects what local shoppers want to see, and they're excited to keep building great relationships with our regular customers and welcome new faces in-store," she said.
Artist impressions of Lutwyche City shopping centre renovation

"Customers can look forward to shopping our expanded range of fresh produce and deli products to entertain family and friends over Easter, and we are also proud to offer some fantastic options for customers celebrating Orthodox Easter and Ramadan."

Coles long-serving team member Cathy Fester has worked at the Lutwyche store for 38 years.

"The Lutwyche store has seen quite an amazing transformation since I first joined the team almost four decades ago, but the warm and friendly atmosphere for both team members and customers is something that has always stayed constant," she said.

Coles Lutwyche will officially unveil its new look to shoppers at 7am on Saturday, 30 March with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches, followed by an Easter-themed food festival from 10am to 3pm with cooking demonstrations, food sampling and an Easter bunny hunt for kids.

Snap Fitness owner John Ratcliffe said they managed to move everything in just two days, with the help of a specialist gym removalist company.

"Our new space is bigger than the old one, at 330 sqm, and has big picture windows looking out over Lutwyche Rd and the busway," Mr Ratcliffe said. "It's certainly a very attractive space, and it's visible all the way along Lutwyche Rd — you can see people through the windows, working on the carido machines. At night time when the lights are shining it looks very, very impressive."

Mr Radcliffe said the gym had about 620 members, of all ages and ability, mainly from surrounding suburbs. He said the gym was looking to hire two new personal trainers to help patrons reach their fitness goals.

[verbatim9]

^^Celebrate your NEW LOOK Coles Lutwyche at our Easter Food Festival this Saturday the 30th March! With indulgent festive sampling, an in-store Easter bunny hunt, kids' activities and much more, come down from 10am -3pm! It'll be a hopping good time!

https://www.facebook.com/coles/videos/2686024964757936/



Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Sunshine Plaza redevelopment complete and open!

9 News-----------------------------> https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-news-sunshine-plaza-redevelopment-maroochydore-shopping-centre/f51e4f30-ac27-4513-9791-07ef76b39f22

At least 19 retailers are still yet to take up residence at the Plaza, along with a new high ropes course, children's play areas and more dining options, which are scheduled to open from May.
"Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, they're all opening a bit later because their fit-outs come from the US," Lendlease Managing Director of Retail, Gary Horwitz said.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Lutwyche City Refurbishment

A couple of updated pics from Lutwyche City last week. The new Aldi has opened on the East side of the centre and Woolies is in the process of being built on the west side of the centre, where Aldi was previously situated. The new exterior of the centre facing Chalk Street is coming along well.

[verbatim9]

Spying on Customers: In a bid to claw back billions in lost revenue, Coles and Woolies are bringing in big brother technology to keep an eye on us. #7NEWS https://t.co/yBFtHr5nPZ

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1118070252665839616

[verbatim9]

Aldi to open in the 4th quarter of 2019 at Indooroopilly Shopping centre

Couriermail------------------------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/aldi-pops-up-at-major-brisbane-shopping-centre/news-story/32d361100e788acbade0d7d9e0de4d3b

Aldi to open at major Brisbane shopping centre
Brendan O'Malley, Westside News
42 minutes ago
Subscriber only
SUPERMARKET chain Aldi has signed a new lease agreement with Indooroopilly Shopping Centre as part of the centre's $4 million "refresh'' changes.

The first stage of the centre's latest upgrade is now complete and the following stages include the addition of Sunlit Asian Grocer, Little Baguette, Andrew Meats and Hero Sushi.

Sting in tail of Indro traffic changes

The Aldi build is expected to be completed by end of the year. It will be near Kmart on level one.

The new leases stem from customer feedback which showed shoppers wanted greater choice, convenience and on-trend offerings.


The Aldi store will be on level one of Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.
"We've listened to our customers," centre general manager Steven Ihm said.

"We are excited at the prospect of giving shoppers an expanded retail offer, including a refreshed fresh food precinct."


Aldi — The secrets behind those "Special Buys"
An Aldi spokesman said the German supermarket chain was excited to be opening in Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.

"We look forward to showing local residents the difference Aldi can make to their wallets and lifestyles," he said.

[verbatim9]

Aldi takes Union to court over misleading claims

Inside Retail----------------------------->https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/aldi-takes-union-to-court-over-driver-safety-claims-201904

Aldi takes Union to court over misleading claims
April 30, 2019  Dean Blake

Aldi has taken the Transport Workers Union to Federal Court, following what the supermarket claims is a string of false and misleading claims.

The TWU has made a number of claims toward Aldi, including that its drivers have faced harassment when they have raised concerns over fatigue with management, with one driver quoted as being told, "Everyone else is doing it. You are the only one with a problem."

However, the supermarket has refuted these claims and said it will let the courts determine the matter.

"The TWU has made a series of allegations against Aldi," an Aldi spokesperson told Inside Retail. "We say these allegations are false."

According to the TWU, the supermarket's alleged actions could have far-reaching consequences for those who raise concerns about safety in the workplace, environmental or rights abuses.

"Transport workers are sending a clear message to Aldi to take road safety seriously and make sure its transport workers, the transport workers in its supply chain, and other road users can return home to their families in one piece," Nick McIntosh, TWU national assistant secretary, said in a statement to Aldi over the Christmas period.


"Coles and Woolworths have recognised their critical role in improving road safety. Aldi needs to stop attacking truck drivers and instead sit down in good faith and be part of the solution."

^^I am glad Aldi took this approach. The union should work with retailers not against them spreading union proganda at the expense of retail companies and consumers of those companies.

**Aldi comes from and was born in a respectful unionised country (Germany). The measures taken by unions here in Australia are some what unorthodox at times and not necessary.

[verbatim9]

Kmart turns 50

Couriermail--------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/how-kmart-has-survived-50-years-in-retail/news-story/22d883518d69062c944407cb55fea36f

How Kmart has survived 50 years in retail
KIM WILSON, Herald Sun
Kmart celebrates its 50th birthday today after opening its first Australian store in Burwood in 1969.

It was an instant success with more than 5000 people flocking to the opening of the country's first discount department store, with store openings quickly following in NSW, South Australia and Western Australia by the end of the same year.

Managing director Ian Bailey says Kmart opened at a time when competition was limited and there were only a few players in the department store category.

HOW KMART HAS CHANGED SINCE 1969

WHY EVERYONE IS LOVING KMART RIGHT NOW

THE KMART CATALOGUE MODELS IMPRESSING PARENTS


Kmart's first grand opening ad. which is celebrating 50th birthday tomorrow, 30 April 2019.

A throw back to how it all started.

Official opening: Mrs H.B. Cunningham, wife of the President and Chairman of S.S. Kresge Co. Cuts the ribbon to make the opening of Australia's first Kmart at East Burwood, Melbourne. Assisting her is Kmart manager Mr. Langley.

The huge car park at the flagship store in East Burwood in 1969.

1969: Staff at your ready.

The check-outs: Taken after almost three months of trading.

Prams lined the shop window.

The store is still located at the corner of Blackburn Rd and Burwood Highway.

Christmas Eve 1987: Even at 4.30am you can still have trouble trying to find a parking spot at the Burwood store.
"Kmart initially opened in Burwood in 1969 as a discount department store with over 40,000 items on offer and we also contained a supermarket. We were your one-stop-shop and it was a first of its kind in Australia," he says.

By the early to mid-200s sales were static and Kmart was at risk of going out of business.

"We had stopped listening to our customers and were not offering them what they wanted," Mr Bailey says.

It signalled a dramatic turnaround for the retailer which led to the dumping of big name national name brands and the introduction of low price Kmart designed products. On-trend, affordable homewares and lifestyle products have led the resurgence in popularity.

"Kmart now has a footprint of 232 stores along with 70 per cent of products sold being designed in-house by the Kmart team making global trends accessible and affordable," Mr Bailey says.

The sign has stood the test of time with only minimal changes.

The sign has had a few incarnations over the years.

Kmart East Burwood unveiled a new extension in 1997.

Kmart steadily grew in popularity.
Cathy Turner and Sean McCann have more than a combined 50 years working at Kmart.

Merchandise planner Mr McCann began as a team-member on the floor almost 30 years ago, while Mrs Turner has worked at Kmart for 22 years.

It has a special place in her heart, meeting her husband while working there.

"I was working at the service desk at Greensborough and this handsome man walked past me, at the time he was the new line manager and had just started at the store. Two years later we were married, a true Kmart love story," she says.

Mr McCann recalls coming to a desperate mother's rescue on Christmas Eve as one of his most memorable experiences.

"I'll always remember was when I was closing the store one Christmas Eve and a Mum came hurtling through the centre with her handbag, hair and jacket flying everywhere begging to be let in looking like she was about to try and slide under the door we'd almost closed... Indiana Jones style! Of course, we let her in and she bolted down to lay-by to breathlessly pick up some toys for her kids for Christmas," he says.

Why do we love Kmart so much?
Both say it's the people they work with that have inspired them and led to their longevity at Kmart.

"I have stayed with the business for so long mainly because of the people, it's like one big family. My husband used to be with the business for a very long time and was a store manager and whilst studying my two children worked with the business — so you understand what I mean when I say we are one big family." Mrs Turner says.

Originally published as How Kmart has survived 50 years in retail

[verbatim9]

Costco moves into e-commerce to allow Australian customers to shop Costco products online.

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1123143250678730752

[verbatim9]

No Booze Sales at Costco Bundamba due to "outdated" State Liquor Laws.

Courier Mail Quest-------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/regional/costco-only-one-more-sleep/news-story/b98dc13474ff5fbefca13312972fb676

THURSDAY is the big day thousands of Ipswich locals and people from the Greater Brisbane region have been waiting for: Costco is open

Costco Australia managing director, Patrick Noone said "thousands and thousands" had already rushed to sign up prior to the store's opening Thursday at 8am - which is expected to be chaos by lunchtime.

"We have an extremely broad range of merchandise in the warehouse," Mr Noone told the QT.

Broad is an understatement. The American supermarket giant has everything, from an $18,000 television to a $149,000 diamond ring.

The warehouse keeps on average about 3300 items in stock, however they stock these items in bulk - to the tune of about $20 million.

In comparison, Mr Noone said an average supermarket has more than 30,000 different items in stock.

"It's kind of fun to come in here and find something different and unique every time you come through," he said.

Mr Noone said toilet paper is the number one selling item in the store.

Alongside Ipswich's massive appeal, Mr Noone hopes it will draw shoppers from all other parts of the south-east Queensland region.

"We've been very happy because we have thousands and thousands of new members," he said.

Costco Ipswich. Michael Ash with a 10kg chocolate block.
"And we think there is thousands of North Lakes members coming over as well because we split the city in half so there's somewhere between the M5 and here and the M5 and there people will shop naturally.

"It will make it easier for people from the Gold Coast to shop here as well - and people from Logan."

Mr Noone also said there are a few vacancies left, expected to be filled shortly.

"We have around 280 employees now, I think we're still hiring, but we have transferred 20-30 employees from different states in the country, Melbourne, Sydney and from North Lakes so there's a whole new employment base here which is very exciting," he said.

"About half of our employment base is full time, the other half is part time. We tend to hire a lot of casuals through Christmas, so if the volume is good we will be a big employment generator here."

Costco Ipswich
Depending on the volume of the store, Mr Noone also said there may be room for further expansion in employment.

Landholders in Bundamba, or those looking to develop businesses may also be in luck thanks to the 'Costco Effect' and the American giant's pulling power.

"The Costco Effect means a lot of people will come to this location and it makes the land around this a bit more valuable as well," Mr Noone said.

"People will see the new projects in this area start to fill in. More amenities for people that shop here and other businesses will pop up as well."

Memberships are available online or in store ahead of the retailer's opening tomorrow, along with catalogue specials, and several 'Ipswich only' items, including a tandem bicycle, Lego and an off-road buggy.

Ipswich outlet a 'dry store' due to legislation UNFORTUNATELY for keen tipplers, out there Costco Ipswich won't stock alcohol, much like it's North Lakes cousin. The sale of liquor in Queensland is regulated by the State Government which stipulates a supermarket must have a liquor licence and a venue. South Australia has similar laws in place; as such, catalogues advertising alcohol specials cannot be honoured in the two states. "We'd love to sell liquor and alcohol in Queensland but we can't with the legislation the way it is," Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said. "We'd have to buy a pub and have a licence here and we're not prepared to do that right now. "If anyone talked to us, we would say we would absolutely love to sell alcohol but we don't have any plans to change or help to change any of the liquor laws, that's up to the Queensland people to decide." -----

Mad for Costco? Get in touch with one of our reporters at qt@qt.com.au or on 3817 1717.

[verbatim9]

Like the article suggests below

Write to your local State MP or directly to attorney@ministerial.qld.gov.au advocating the change to bring Qld inline with the rest of the East Coast States, as well as WA and NT, in respect to allowing licensed supermarkets

No Booze Sales at Costco Bundamba due to "outdated" State Liquor Laws.

Courier Mail Quest-------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/regional/costco-only-one-more-sleep/news-story/b98dc13474ff5fbefca13312972fb676

THURSDAY is the big day thousands of Ipswich locals and people from the Greater Brisbane region have been waiting for: Costco is open

Costco Australia managing director, Patrick Noone said "thousands and thousands" had already rushed to sign up prior to the store's opening Thursday at 8am - which is expected to be chaos by lunchtime.

"We have an extremely broad range of merchandise in the warehouse," Mr Noone told the QT.

Broad is an understatement. The American supermarket giant has everything, from an $18,000 television to a $149,000 diamond ring.

The warehouse keeps on average about 3300 items in stock, however they stock these items in bulk - to the tune of about $20 million.

In comparison, Mr Noone said an average supermarket has more than 30,000 different items in stock.

"It's kind of fun to come in here and find something different and unique every time you come through," he said.

Mr Noone said toilet paper is the number one selling item in the store.

Alongside Ipswich's massive appeal, Mr Noone hopes it will draw shoppers from all other parts of the south-east Queensland region.

"We've been very happy because we have thousands and thousands of new members," he said.

Costco Ipswich. Michael Ash with a 10kg chocolate block.
"And we think there is thousands of North Lakes members coming over as well because we split the city in half so there's somewhere between the M5 and here and the M5 and there people will shop naturally.

"It will make it easier for people from the Gold Coast to shop here as well - and people from Logan."

Mr Noone also said there are a few vacancies left, expected to be filled shortly.

"We have around 280 employees now, I think we're still hiring, but we have transferred 20-30 employees from different states in the country, Melbourne, Sydney and from North Lakes so there's a whole new employment base here which is very exciting," he said.

"About half of our employment base is full time, the other half is part time. We tend to hire a lot of casuals through Christmas, so if the volume is good we will be a big employment generator here."

Costco Ipswich
Depending on the volume of the store, Mr Noone also said there may be room for further expansion in employment.

Landholders in Bundamba, or those looking to develop businesses may also be in luck thanks to the 'Costco Effect' and the American giant's pulling power.

"The Costco Effect means a lot of people will come to this location and it makes the land around this a bit more valuable as well," Mr Noone said.

"People will see the new projects in this area start to fill in. More amenities for people that shop here and other businesses will pop up as well."

Memberships are available online or in store ahead of the retailer's opening tomorrow, along with catalogue specials, and several 'Ipswich only' items, including a tandem bicycle, Lego and an off-road buggy.

Ipswich outlet a 'dry store' due to legislation UNFORTUNATELY for keen tipplers, out there Costco Ipswich won't stock alcohol, much like it's North Lakes cousin. The sale of liquor in Queensland is regulated by the State Government which stipulates a supermarket must have a liquor licence and a venue. South Australia has similar laws in place; as such, catalogues advertising alcohol specials cannot be honoured in the two states. "We'd love to sell liquor and alcohol in Queensland but we can't with the legislation the way it is," Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said. "We'd have to buy a pub and have a licence here and we're not prepared to do that right now. "If anyone talked to us, we would say we would absolutely love to sell alcohol but we don't have any plans to change or help to change any of the liquor laws, that's up to the Queensland people to decide." -----

Mad for Costco? Get in touch with one of our reporters at qt@qt.com.au or on 3817 1717.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/verbatim18/status/1123819943961726977

[achiruel]

Why should I support a change in legislation that will simply result in more profits being shipped overseas?

[verbatim9]

Why should I support a change in legislation that will simply result in more profits being shipped overseas?

Pubs too are owned by multi nationals is that any different? These companies still pay tax in Australia and hire local workers and support farmers and local producers by ordering local produce, and products

As outlined in the Harper Review the pros and cons have been extensively researched by tax payers money. The outcome is to change the law to allow any supermarket to apply for a package liquor licence.  The end result is to benefit the consumer as this will lead to increased competition and convenience. It will also lead to lower grocery prices as red tape can be reduced which is currently in place for Coles and Woolworths. These compliance costs simply are passed onto the end consumer reflecting in higher grocery prices. It will also allow smaller players like Aldi, IGA, Foodworks and Spar brands to compete fairly with larger counterparts, by also abling these stores to sell  Packaged Liquor, without having to buy a Pub or Tavern.

[verbatim9]

High end food hall goes bust in Bowen Hills owing money to creditors

https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/food/qld-taste/letters-of-demand-for-alleged-debts-landed-just-after-mercados-opening/news-story/4f3c0a8587b74ea43cdc85229d182992

Letters of demand for alleged debts landed just after Mercado's opening

Anthony Marx, The Courier-Mail

May 12, 2019 12:00am

Subscriber only

LETTERS of demand for alleged non-payment of debts started arriving just weeks after the opening of Brisbane's flash Mercado shopping and dining hall late last year.

The 1500sq m gourmet retailer on the King Street foodie strip in Bowen Hills shut down without warning this weekand is expected to fall into administration within days.

Company records show the sole owner of the business is 27-year-old Vietnamese immigrant Thieu The Nguyen, who splashed out $10 million on the fit-out and another $1.3 million to buy a home early last year.

He received a lawyer's letter just before Christmas chasing $52,436 allegedly owed to Vic's Premium Meats.

[verbatim9]

It was inevitable. An up market store like that would of been better in Queens Plaza. But I congratulate the owners for trying.

I was recently in Hong Kong visiting. A store named Taste located in Tung Chung that sells international groceries and also has an up market internal food court is a great concept. DJs does something similar in Syd and Mel. It would be good if they brought that concept to Queens Plaza to complement the upgrade. These sort of upmarket stores also require alot of foot traffic. They relied on a model being a destination while not thinking of everyday foot traffic and the local demographic. Mercado didn't really service the local demographic, being everyday apartment dwellers.

If another supermarket brand considers to take up tenancy? I don't think IGA, Coles or Woolies could move straight in. The store requires a complete refit except for possibly the back of house.

^^Once the school and full time station goes in more people will use King Street as a means, to get to and from the Ekka station. Hence more foot traffic. That's still 4 years away. Maybe a Woolies metro will work then?

[verbatim9]

Kaufland on the hunt for Gold Coast and  Brisbane sites

Couriermail------------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/retail-giants-kaufland-and-costco-hunt-for-sites-on-gold-coast/news-story/c8d42ca7d35877c8d0923744eda3e382

Retail giants Kaufland and Costco hunt for sites on Gold Coast

Quentin Tod, Gold Coast Bulletin

May 13, 2019 12:23pm

Subscriber only

THE offshore hypermarket kings have the Gold Coast in their sights but bargain shoppers shouldn't get excited – the wannabe newcomers are plodding at best, not running.

Germany's Kaufland group already has bought a near-$20 million site for one of its one-stop biggies but the road to throwing open the doors isn't exactly looking easy.

In fact, the retailer appears to be embarrassingly stalled -- the zoning on the Burleigh Heads site doesn't allow for a Kaufland- style development.

In the meantime the group, operator of 1300 stores in Europe, has been more than scrutinising another Gold Coast property.

Costco, from the US, hasn't opened its chequebook but has an eye out for the right property.

[verbatim9]

Coming this year! Coles will make Breakfast for you at selected stores

9News-------> https://amp-nine-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.nine.com.au/article/982aec1e-855b-4380-95e6-da4d702ed41b?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1

The new Coles Fresh Kitchen breakfast products include:

·     Smashed Avocado, Tomato, Fetta & Toast

·     Smashed Avocado & Egg

·     Homestyle Beans, Bacon & Egg

·    Coconut Chia with mango & passion fruit

·    Granola & Yoghurt

·    Acai, Banana & Oat

·    Apple Bircher with cranberry & coconut

·    Mexican style bean salsa with Egg

·   Hot Smoked Salmon, Brown Rice, Egg & Spinach

[verbatim9]

Business and retailers breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the Federal Election result


Inside Retail--------->https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/business-and-retailers-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief-201905

Business and retailers breathe a sigh of relief

MAY 22, 2019

It was the Steven Bradbury federal election where the favourite defeated himself. The 2019 election was Labor's to lose after more than three years of turmoil and struggle in the Coalition ranks, but Opposition Leader Bill Shorten overcooked his magic pudding of big spending projects, tax reforms and political sweeteners.

For business, the sigh of relief is palpable as voters opted for stability over the most expansive agenda proposed by an opposition party since Gough Whitlam in 1972.

The election was almost entirely fought on Labor policies. These strained credibility with their costings, and seemed likely to create bigger budget blowouts or even deeper raids on taxpayers' pockets.

For retailers and business generally, the election result should provide a more certain and stable economic outlook, something that has been lacking for most of the past four years.

Business and consumer confidence should be expected to improve with Prime Minister Scott Morrison able to secure more unity in the Coalition ranks after his remarkable, and virtually solo, campaign effort.

Confidence underpins spending, and with the removal of Shorten's retirement savings plans, other tax measures and the uncertainty about negative gearing changes on the housing market, spending should lift in coming months.

An increase in consumer spending will also be helped along by the first tranche of tax cuts promised by the Coalition government from July 1.

Speculation has heightened in recent months about the likelihood of a further cut in interest rates by the Reserve Bank. Such a cut is more likely following the re-election of the Morrison government than if Labor had won, as the Reserve Bank would have had to weigh in the potential economic consequences of the Shorten policies.

However, this columnist remains sceptical of the value or effectiveness of further interest rate cuts or whether the banks would even have the capacity or preparedness to pass on any cuts to the official rate.

One of the areas the Reserve Bank is monitoring closely is employment levels and it may well find that the re-election of the Coalition generates some improvement in the jobs market. Certainly retailers and the hospitality industry have been cautious with hirings in recent months, given the industrial relations and wages policies of Shorten's agenda.

Even before the election, Shorten had the audacity to tell the Fair Work Commission it would need to dance to a Labor government's tune in wage and penalty rate determinations in future. But the battle on wages and penalty rates will continue, with the union movement doubling down on an ambitious agenda it had expected to implement under a Labor government. Its first salvo is a claim for a $50 a week increase in the minimum wage.

The penalty rates issue will continue to be a fierce political debate, with Labor unlikely to back away from its election stance and the union movement maintaining its pressure, but the gradual reduction in rates determined by the Fair Work Commission will proceed.

Further, there could well be some structural or personnel changes to the Fair Work Commission itself, with the prospect of fewer roadblocks in the Senate due to changes in representation.

There will still be legislative changes for the franchising sector following the Senate Inquiry findings. However, they would be expected to be a lighter touch in regulatory terms than would have been drafted by a Labor government.

Nonetheless, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and other regulatory bodies will be on notice to improve their oversight of businesses after both the Senate franchising inquiry and the Banking and Financial Services Royal Commission.

The re-election of the Coalition government ensures a more predictable outlook and arguably a better administration following a reset by Morrison after stabilising the Coalition and then taking it to an improbable victory at the polls.

However, the incoming government faces significant challenges such as employment levels, energy policies, the disproportionate growth in public sector costs and an elusive budget surplus.

[verbatim9]

7/11 follows Amazon's lead and opens a checkout free concept store in Melbourne

Inside Retail------->https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/7-eleven-opens-checkout-free-store-in-melbourne-201905#daily

7-Eleven opens checkout-free store in Melbourne

MAY 29, 2019

7-Eleven Australia has removed the physical checkout from the store at its head office in Melbourne. Now, customers there can pay only via mobile app.

Located in Melbourne's inner suburb of Richmond, the store provides a more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience, 7-Eleven said, with more space and no queues.

"Nobody likes to wait, so eliminating queues was part of the mission for this mobile checkout," Angus McKay, 7-Eleven's CEO, said in a statement about the new store concept.

"The store feels more spacious and customers avoid being funnelled to a checkout location creating a frictionless in-store experience," he said.

Instead of bringing their items to a cashier at the front of the store, customers simply scan the barcode of items they want to purchase with a specially designed app, pay with a card on file and walk out.

Staff are free to focus on greeting and assisting customers and delivering 7-Eleven's growing food offer, the retailer said.

7-Eleven has been working on the cashless and cardless store concept for the past 12 months, thinking through the customer and staff experience and building the app. It recently trialed the concept alongside traditional payment methods in another store on Exhibition Street in Melbourne's CBD.

That trial, which concluded on Monday, revealed some areas that needed improvement. For instance, staff wanted better visibility about which customers in the store were shopping via app, and which ones weren't.

But Stephen Eyears, 7-Eleven's head of strategy, innovation and business development, said this shouldn't be a problem, since 7-Eleven offers a companion app for store staff, so they can see which customers in the store have opened the scan-and-pay app on their phones.

Customers also have to upload a selfie to use the app, so staff can identify them. This way, staff can be certain that customers have paid before they simply walk out of the store with items in their hands.

Other checkout-free stores, such as Amazon Go, avoid this scenario altogether by identifying the items customers pick up off the shelf via cameras and sensors, and adding it to their digital cart automatically.

Eyears said 7-Eleven will continue to tweak the concept based on learnings from the Richmond store trial, though there currently is no specific time-frame on the trial or firm plans to expand the concept to other stores.

"We're just tarting to think about what else we need to learn operationally, and what else we could do to enhance the CX. There could be further tweaks down the track," Eyears told Inside Retail.

"It's not something we want to rush, we want to get it right," he said.

If 7-Eleven does roll out the concept to more stores, Eyears expects it would be in addition to traditional payment methods, rather than the only way to pay, as it currently is in the Richmond store.

Certain cities in the US have now outlawed stores that are completely cash- and card-free, saying they discriminate against consumers who don't have a smartphone or online account with the retailers that operate them.

Amazon has confirmed to US media outlets that it will start accepting cash at its checkout-free Amazon Go stores.

7-Eleven is the latest retailer to trial checkout-free stores since Amazon Go debuted in the US in December 2016, sparking a conversation about the future of convenience retail.

Woolworths has also trialed a scan-and-pay app in stores in NSW.

[verbatim9]

7/11 follows Amazon's lead and opens a checkout free concept store in Melbourne

Inside Retail------->https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/7-eleven-opens-checkout-free-store-in-melbourne-201905#daily

7-Eleven opens checkout-free store in Melbourne

MAY 29, 2019

7-Eleven Australia has removed the physical checkout from the store at its head office in Melbourne. Now, customers there can pay only via mobile app.

Located in Melbourne's inner suburb of Richmond, the store provides a more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience, 7-Eleven said, with more space and no queues.

"Nobody likes to wait, so eliminating queues was part of the mission for this mobile checkout," Angus McKay, 7-Eleven's CEO, said in a statement about the new store concept.

"The store feels more spacious and customers avoid being funnelled to a checkout location creating a frictionless in-store experience," he said.

Instead of bringing their items to a cashier at the front of the store, customers simply scan the barcode of items they want to purchase with a specially designed app, pay with a card on file and walk out.

Staff are free to focus on greeting and assisting customers and delivering 7-Eleven's growing food offer, the retailer said.

7-Eleven has been working on the cashless and cardless store concept for the past 12 months, thinking through the customer and staff experience and building the app. It recently trialed the concept alongside traditional payment methods in another store on Exhibition Street in Melbourne's CBD.

That trial, which concluded on Monday, revealed some areas that needed improvement. For instance, staff wanted better visibility about which customers in the store were shopping via app, and which ones weren't.

But Stephen Eyears, 7-Eleven's head of strategy, innovation and business development, said this shouldn't be a problem, since 7-Eleven offers a companion app for store staff, so they can see which customers in the store have opened the scan-and-pay app on their phones.

Customers also have to upload a selfie to use the app, so staff can identify them. This way, staff can be certain that customers have paid before they simply walk out of the store with items in their hands.

Other checkout-free stores, such as Amazon Go, avoid this scenario altogether by identifying the items customers pick up off the shelf via cameras and sensors, and adding it to their digital cart automatically.

Eyears said 7-Eleven will continue to tweak the concept based on learnings from the Richmond store trial, though there currently is no specific time-frame on the trial or firm plans to expand the concept to other stores.

"We're just tarting to think about what else we need to learn operationally, and what else we could do to enhance the CX. There could be further tweaks down the track," Eyears told Inside Retail.

"It's not something we want to rush, we want to get it right," he said.

If 7-Eleven does roll out the concept to more stores, Eyears expects it would be in addition to traditional payment methods, rather than the only way to pay, as it currently is in the Richmond store.

Certain cities in the US have now outlawed stores that are completely cash- and card-free, saying they discriminate against consumers who don't have a smartphone or online account with the retailers that operate them.

Amazon has confirmed to US media outlets that it will start accepting cash at its checkout-free Amazon Go stores.

7-Eleven is the latest retailer to trial checkout-free stores since Amazon Go debuted in the US in December 2016, sparking a conversation about the future of convenience retail.

Woolworths has also trialed a scan-and-pay app in stores in NSW.

^^I am all for new concepts and trials. Be good to see this initiative from 7-eleven in Brisbane soon?

[verbatim9]

The concept not coming to Brisbane anytime soon reports 9news-------->

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1133650254962651136

[verbatim9]

West End Coles gets a complete refit to compliment a development application for The Markets updating the centre to a more industrial look and feel.

pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au-------->https://pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au/masterviewUI/modules/documentmaster/viewdocumentftp.aspx?key=p4j9mRT%2fiFYEvO6zu3RpMcYBq59bHjFf%2fwpz1Zaq1pFssp%2bXPfzCxA%3d%3d

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In the media over the last day. Toys R US are back in Australia. First online later Bricks and Mortar.

https://twitter.com/The_Grocery_Dr/status/1136461662444146688

[verbatim9]

In the media over the last day. Toys R US are back in Australia. First online later Bricks and Mortar.

https://twitter.com/The_Grocery_Dr/status/1136461662444146688

In the media over the last day. Toys R US are back in Australia. First online later Bricks and Mortar.

Inside retail------------------->https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/toys-r-us-returning-to-australia-with-online-focus-and-small-format-stores-201906

Toys 'R' Us returning to Australia with online focus and small-format stores
JUNE 05, 2019

Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us are returning to the Australian market through an exclusive licensing agreement with Hobby Warehouse.

The agreement allows Hobby Warehouse to sell through the Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us websites in Australia and New Zealand, including private label products owned by parent company Tru Kids Brands – such as Fastlane, Imaginarium, Koala Baby, and Koala Kids. This is the first time Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us have had a presence in the New Zealand market.

Launching on June 12, the offering will initially be online-only, but Hobby Warehouse plans to launch smaller-format 'experience centres' for Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us beginning in 2020.

"We are delighted to bring the much-loved brands of Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us back to Australia and introduce them to New Zealand," Hobby Warehouse chief executive and Toys 'R' Us Australia director Louis Mittoni said.

"Our mission is to encourage children to engage with as many forms of play as we possibly can. Hobby Warehouse is a digital native with a keen understanding of how to accelerate and match the requirements of the modern shopper."

Tru Kids executive vice president of global licensing and general counsel James Young said that Mittoni and his team have a strong digital vision, and understand the heritage of the Tru Kids brands, as well as how to evolve this heritage for the modern consumer.

"This is an exciting milestone for our company as we continue to grow Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us around the world," Young said.


The Toys 'R' Us Australia management team. Left to right: Toys 'R' Us marking manager Tristan McLindon, Toys 'R' Us Australia director Louis Mittoni, Mittoni Pty Ltd general manager Lian Yu and Toys 'R' Us Australia chairman Kevin Moore
Tru Kids Brands president and chief executive Richard Barry confirmed to Inside Retail in February that the company had begun discussions with partners in Australia, and that the brand would focus on serving customers through all retail channels.

Prior to its demise, Toys 'R' Us was the largest toy retailer in the country with a market share of over 20 per cent, according to IBISWorld senior industry analyst Kim Do.

The retailer will be returning to a very different market, however, with its collapse changing the way consumers shop for toys.

"The company's decline... accelerated the rate at which department stores and online-only retailers have captured market share, as consumers have shifted their spending away from industry retailers," Do said.

The shift away from physical retail, and towards a more online-centric offer, should make the retailers re-entry smoother.

"Previously, the Toys 'R' Us and Babies 'R' Us business model in Australia was focused primarily on large physical retail stores which had high fixed costs and extended periods of relatively low sales due to seasonal factors," said commercial advisor Kevin Moore, who helped negotiate the agreement.

"Going forward, the business model for Australia and New Zealand will be online focused, with smaller and fewer physical 'experience centres' that allow children and their families and friends to see and touch our products."

According to IBISWorld data, the toy and game retailing industry is expected to see a revenue drop of almost 16 per cent over 2019, with the market expecting to generate around $740 million – down from the $880.2 million seen in the prior year.

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Local Craft distillers looking for new domestic and international sales channels

The Shout------------>https://www.theshout.com.au/news/craft-distillers-additional-channels-reach-consumers/

Craft distillers must find additional channels to reach consumers
ANDY YOUNG JUNE 05, 2019
Australia's burgeoning craft spirits sector must break open new distribution channels if it is to take market share from the multinational distillers, says Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies.

Davies told the Drinks Adventures podcast that there are now more than 180 craft distilleries spread across Australia, up from 40 when she began her craft spirits distribution business in 2013.

"And there's a lot more wholesale producer liquor licenses waiting to be approved as well, with more distilleries trying to open and get council approval," she said.

However, Davies said Australian-owned, Australian-made spirits still account for less than one per cent by volume of the distilled spirits sector.

"The rest of what we drink here in Australia is actually imported or foreign-owned, so I think there's definitely more market share for Australian producers to gain in the next few years," she said.

For this to happen, Davies said craft distillers must find additional channels to reach consumers.

"There's probably about 30 different channels that we can work with, and when I say, 'channels', I mean everything from duty free to cruise ships to small bars to retail bottle shops," she said.

"At the moment, the Australian craft distilleries are all fighting for maybe four or five of those channels where we could be aiming for the whole 30 to grow our market shares."

Formerly of Carlton & United Breweries, Lion and Coca-Cola Amatil, Davies said it is nevertheless pleasing to see bars and retailers now have a genuine appetite for Australian brands.

"I am finding that people are becoming more focused around supporting distilleries that are closer to them as well, which didn't happen in the beginning," she said.

"I started in my hometown, Sydney. I pretty much started pounding the pavement for two months and did not get a single sale.

"I'd turn up at bars and say, 'I've got these products,' and they'd say, 'what brands are they?'

"They'd turn around and say, 'never heard of them before,' and pretty much, 'bugger off.'"

Season Two of Drinks Adventures continues on Thursday June 5, with Beefeater's veteran master distiller Desmond Payne MBE joining James Atkinson for a wide-ranging chat about the gin category.

Drinks Adventures is currently at #3 on the Australian iTunes food podcasts chart, having topped the chart for several weeks during May 2019.

[verbatim9]

Local Craft distillers looking for new domestic and international sales channels

The Shout------------>https://www.theshout.com.au/news/craft-distillers-additional-channels-reach-consumers/

Craft distillers must find additional channels to reach consumers
ANDY YOUNG JUNE 05, 2019
Australia's burgeoning craft spirits sector must break open new distribution channels if it is to take market share from the multinational distillers, says Nip of Courage founder Kathleen Davies.

Davies told the Drinks Adventures podcast that there are now more than 180 craft distilleries spread across Australia, up from 40 when she began her craft spirits distribution business in 2013.

"And there's a lot more wholesale producer liquor licenses waiting to be approved as well, with more distilleries trying to open and get council approval," she said.

However, Davies said Australian-owned, Australian-made spirits still account for less than one per cent by volume of the distilled spirits sector.

"The rest of what we drink here in Australia is actually imported or foreign-owned, so I think there's definitely more market share for Australian producers to gain in the next few years," she said.

For this to happen, Davies said craft distillers must find additional channels to reach consumers.

"There's probably about 30 different channels that we can work with, and when I say, 'channels', I mean everything from duty free to cruise ships to small bars to retail bottle shops," she said.

"At the moment, the Australian craft distilleries are all fighting for maybe four or five of those channels where we could be aiming for the whole 30 to grow our market shares."

Formerly of Carlton & United Breweries, Lion and Coca-Cola Amatil, Davies said it is nevertheless pleasing to see bars and retailers now have a genuine appetite for Australian brands.

"I am finding that people are becoming more focused around supporting distilleries that are closer to them as well, which didn't happen in the beginning," she said.

"I started in my hometown, Sydney. I pretty much started pounding the pavement for two months and did not get a single sale.

"I'd turn up at bars and say, 'I've got these products,' and they'd say, 'what brands are they?'

"They'd turn around and say, 'never heard of them before,' and pretty much, 'bugger off.'"

Season Two of Drinks Adventures continues on Thursday June 5, with Beefeater's veteran master distiller Desmond Payne MBE joining James Atkinson for a wide-ranging chat about the gin category.

Drinks Adventures is currently at #3 on the Australian iTunes food podcasts chart, having topped the chart for several weeks during May 2019.

Local Craft distillers looking for new domestic and international sales channels

The Shout------------>https://www.theshout.com.au/news/craft-distillers-additional-channels-reach-consumers/

^^This is a great opportunity for the Qld State Government to review and lift packaged liquor sales restrictions in Queensland. This will allow these emerging businesses the opportunity to market and sell their product through small to medium local supermarkets, as well as the larger chains e.g. Aldi, Costco and Kaufland.

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Take two for former Woolworths site in Toowong

Couriermail------------>https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/prime-site/a-300m-development-in-toowong-aims-to-reinvigorate-the-suburb-with-the-creation-of-an-entertainment-hub/news-story/d80a26f7dabb52c481dd841c21dc4121

$300m Toowong development modelled on The Grove in LA
A $300 million development in Brisbane's inner west will offer an expansive town square with an entertainment and dining precinct, taking its cue from a famous US destination.

Chris Herde, The Courier-Mail
Subscriber only
June 6, 2019 6:41pm
An aerial of the State Development Corporation's site at Toowong.
A LONG-term development site in a booming inner western suburb will be transformed into a $300 million lifestyle precinct with expansive public space.

White and Partners and Brisbane developer State Development Corporation (SDC) will lodge a development application by the end of the year to transform a 1.3ha Toowong site, bounded by Jephson and High streets and Sherwood Rd.

The site, which currently has office and retail buildings, was previously owned by ASX-listed Stockland which planned to develop three 25-storey apartment buildings on the property.

SDC managing director Ross McKinnon said the new development was inspired by The Grove shopping centre in Los Angeles, and would feature an expansive town centre and streetscapes.

Plans are for a two-level retail centre, a 4.5 star 25-level hotel with some owner-occupier apartments and a 12 to 14-level office building.

"We want it to be food and entrainment based. We'd like cinemas, dining places, bars, gymnasium, spa and entertainment there," Mr McKinnon said.

"It won't be like a traditional enclosed shopping centre. It will have an open air streetscape.

"We'll also work to have an entrance facing High St at the bus stop and then create a walking track from High St, Jephson St, Sherwood Rd to Toowong Village and the train station."

Mr McKinnon said they hope to start construction next year and finish in late 2022 or early 2023.


The Grove shopping centre in Los Angeles
White and Partners managing partner George Ajaka said he was excited for what was an iconic project for the inner-Brisbane suburb.

"This location rivals some of the iconic suburbs in Australia like Chatswood in Sydney and Toorak in Melbourne," he said.

Knight Frank's Christian Sandstrom, who negotiated the sale with Ben McGrath, said it was one of the largest remaining inner city mixed use development opportunities

"It has three substantial street frontages in the heart of Toowong allowing for a number of development outcomes each with their own identity and importantly vehicular access," he said.

He said the sale follows a number of other recent transactions in Toowong including 74 High Street for $19.3 million to the University of Queensland and 39 Sherwood Rd to a private investor for $23.8 million

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This is not a Brisbane supermarket but it's a sign to come with supermarkets now providing charging points for your EV while you shop.

Couriermail----------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/why-this-melbourne-supermarket-is-the-cleanest-greenest-woolies-youve-ever-seen/news-story/0211e2f1a26f7b46d16ae4e677919894

The store has used sustainably-sourced timber cladding and also offers 16 electric vehicle charging bays, which customers can use for free. Adding to its green credentials are 33 bicycle parks.

[verbatim9]

This is not a Brisbane supermarket but it's a sign to come with supermarkets now providing charging points for your EV while you shop.

Couriermail----------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/why-this-melbourne-supermarket-is-the-cleanest-greenest-woolies-youve-ever-seen/news-story/0211e2f1a26f7b46d16ae4e677919894

The store has used sustainably-sourced timber cladding and also offers 16 electric vehicle charging bays, which customers can use for free. Adding to its green credentials are 33 bicycle parks.

I always envisioned new supermarkets and shopping centres to go this way. I am surprised that the new supermarket developments in Qld are not installing fast EV charges now. They can provide the service for free while you shop via solar voltaic panels on the centre roof.

It's great to see the extra bicycle racks and loops as well. Compared to Qld suburban  centres where you may have trouble finding one or two racks to lock up your bike securely.