General Retail - Supermarkets, Shopping Centres, Department Stores

[#Metro]

Need trading hours reform.

[verbatim9]

Definitely and a liquor licencing review to allow supermarkets to sell liquor where appropriate. This will allow IGA and Aldi compete in that segment with Coles and Woolworths.

[achiruel]

 

Need trading hours reform.

Considering the vast majority of retail stores already don't open for the permitted hours, what is the benefit, other than to increase the stranglehold of the ColesWorth duopoly?

Definitely and a liquor licencing review to allow supermarkets to sell liquor where appropriate. This will allow IGA and Aldi compete in that segment with Coles and Woolworths.

The way to fix this is to allow responsible business owners to have a bottleshop licence independently of a hotel licence, not to sell liquor in supermarkets that are frequented by minors.

[#Metro]

Considering the vast majority of retail stores already don't open for the permitted hours, what is the benefit, other than to increase the stranglehold of the ColesWorth duopoly?

People support these stores financially because they provide the goods and services they want.

It just the government standing in the way of that. Other state jurisdictions have moved on from this debate.

[achiruel]

Considering the vast majority of retail stores already don't open for the permitted hours, what is the benefit, other than to increase the stranglehold of the ColesWorth duopoly?

People support these stores financially because they provide the goods and services they want.

It just the government standing in the way of that. Other state jurisdictions have moved on from this debate.

People support these stores because they have excessive market power, make unfair deals with suppliers and have formed a duopoly. If our politicians had any gonads, they'd break them up.

[#Metro]

'Market power' doesn't force anyone to go there and start buying things.

What is forcing are laws that shut Supermarkets, Restaurants et al. down by 9 pm so that you are induced to shop at expensive places like 7 Eleven which strangely enough, was the subject of a Fair Work investigation and ABC investigative journalism documentary for paying below minimum wage and exploiting workers on foreign visas.

You could just as easily shop online, go to IGA or Aldi.

Public transport and the city will generally be much better off when major shopping centres etc are allowed to stay open to at least 9 pm on any day of the week, including weekends.

Considering the vast majority of retail stores already don't open for the permitted hours, what is the benefit

Woolworths Brisbane airport is located on Federal land and as such falls outside of the trading hours regime. Open 24 hours even

though there are no residential developments on airport land.

[verbatim9]

Need trading hours reform.

Considering the vast majority of retail stores already don't open for the permitted hours, what is the benefit, other than to increase the stranglehold of the ColesWorth duopoly?

Definitely and a liquor licencing review to allow supermarkets to sell liquor where appropriate. This will allow IGA and Aldi compete in that segment with Coles and Woolworths.

The way to fix this is to allow responsible business owners to have a bottleshop licence independently of a hotel licence, not to sell liquor in supermarkets that are frequented by minors.

The seperate bottle licence idea is not good for business. Smaller supermarkets and retailers cannot afford to run seperate bottle shops.  It's no improvement to what we have now. RSA regulation protects minors from harm.  Most jurisdictions in Australia allow most businesses including supermarkets to apply and sell liquor without any issue.

[techblitz]

which strangely enough, was the subject of a Fair Work investigation and ABC investigative journalism documentary for paying below minimum wage and exploiting workers on foreign visas.

nothing strange about it at all.......it was visually obvious for years their hiring practices weren't normal...
FWA/ABC were simply acting on all the complaints from workers who had the courage to speak up 'under threat of deportation' from their employers...

[verbatim9]

Couriermail---->Development application for Paradise Garden Shopping Village in Thornlands lodged

Upon approval the Paradise Garden Shopping Village in Thornlands will have 7750sq m of net lettable retail and commercial space and include a full-line supermarket, specialty stores, service station, medical centre, family friendly tavern and a number of alfresco dining options in addition to an expansive 1.4ha neighbouring parkland for community use.

[verbatim9]

Taken today. The foundations of Coles Local Taringa starting to take shape.

[verbatim9]

The new Liquorland shop fitout at Coles Lutwyche.

Similar to a Vintage Cellars fitout which is also owned by Coles

[verbatim9]

Another surprising anchor tenant for the Valley Metro. Sunlit coming soon.

[Cazza]

Interesting to note that Woolworths Newstead, Woolworths Metro Teneriffe and Coles New Farm have both been granted longer opening hours in the past month or so, with Woolworths opening 6am-10pm Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm Sat and 7am-9pm Sun, Woolworths Metro 6am-10pm Mon-Fri and 7am-9pm Sat-Sun and Coles opening 6am-10pm Mon-Sat and 7am-9pm Sun.

Aside from the 24/7 Skygate Woolies (on Federal land), the only other supermarkets that I'm aware of in QLD opening outside of the standard hours of 7am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun are in 'tourist areas', including Woolworths Coolangatta, Broadbeach, the 2 in Surfers, Coles Surfers Paradise and Coles/Woolies in Cairns Central.

Working at Woolies Ashgrove myself, we have been smashed recently (particularly during COVID), with word on the street being Newstead has stretched to the limit (not surprising given the residential boom in the area and it being an exposure site that popped up recently). Is this possibly a trial/the beginning of the end for these restrictive retail laws? Sundays are our busiest trading day, and having to close at 6pm is so impractical. It's common for the last customers to be leaving the store around 6:20pm because people are still meandering around the store with full trolleys right up until close.

[timh]

Interesting to note that Woolworths Newstead, Woolworths Metro Teneriffe and Coles New Farm have both been granted longer opening hours in the past month or so, with Woolworths opening 6am-10pm Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm Sat and 7am-9pm Sun, Woolworths Metro 6am-10pm Mon-Fri and 7am-9pm Sat-Sun and Coles opening 6am-10pm Mon-Sat and 7am-9pm Sun.

Aside from the 24/7 Skygate Woolies (on Federal land), the only other supermarkets that I'm aware of in QLD opening outside of the standard hours of 7am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun are in 'tourist areas', including Woolworths Coolangatta, Broadbeach, the 2 in Surfers, Coles Surfers Paradise and Coles/Woolies in Cairns Central.

Working at Woolies Ashgrove myself, we have been smashed recently (particularly during COVID), with word on the street being Newstead has stretched to the limit (not surprising given the residential boom in the area and it being an exposure site that popped up recently). Is this possibly a trial/the beginning of the end for these restrictive retail laws? Sundays are our busiest trading day, and having to close at 6pm is so impractical. It's common for the last customers to be leaving the store around 6:20pm because people are still meandering around the store with full trolleys right up until close.

IGA Runcorn is open til 10pm 365 days per year. IGA Greenslopes is open til midnight most nights too. They're not quite as big as your average Woolworths but they're still big enough I'd consider them a supermarket and not just like a corner store.

I'd be keen for more 24 hour trading in areas where it works. inner city areas or the more "satellite" urban centres would be appropriate. I'm thinking places like Nundah village, Chermside, Upper Mount Gravatt (around garden City), Sunnybank, Hamilton, Coorparoo Square, etc.

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Yes, Newstead, New Farm, Hamilton, Carins Central and the Coastal strip from Southport to Coolangatta have been able to trade  6-10pm weekdays and 7-10pm Saturdays for the last 4 years. Newstead and New Farm stores have been able to trade until 9pm Sundays and Public Holidays for a while prior to that, the other areas were 8am-8pm

p.s. Coles New Farm is the only one with an exemption on Saturdays to open at 6am instead of 7am.

Re IGA; There is nothing stopping IGA opening 24/7. It's really up to management of the store to way up the economics.

As @timh suggests, there should be further deregulation in Se Qld to allow for 24 hour hubs.

We are an Olympic city now, it's time to be one.

One year to go and the moratorium on shopping hour restrictions will end, allowing for new applications to the QIRC to extend retail hours under the current retail act. Hopefully they will just deregulate retail hours for all stores so they can set their own hours to suit demand. The minimum should be 7am-11pm Mon-Sat and Sunday and Public Holidays 7am-10pm.

The Christmas Eve thing should be abolished preventing stores to open past 6pm.

[verbatim9]

Re The new Harris Farm in West end is open 7am-10pm 7 days.

The Asian supermarkets but not all, generally trade until 10-11pm 7 days, in the CBD and Sunnybank.

[verbatim9]

Signage is up for the Coles Local and Liquorland Adelaide Street.


I also heard that Coles Queens Plaza will be closing.

[verbatim9]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11876.msg250947.msg#250947

[#Metro]

Wow, finally some common sense. Full deregulation with minimal restrictions for particular days.

This  will get bums on seats finally on the bus network.

[verbatim9]

Submissions are now open. The inquiry will likely make recommendations to reflect community and business expectations on the matter.:

The terms of reference for the Inquiry are that the committee inquire into and report on the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act), in particular:

• To consider the impact of amendments made by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Amendment Act 2017, with particular regard to:
  
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium on trading hours orders and restriction on making applications (section 59 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium applicable to shops in Mossman and Port Douglas Tourist Area (section 56 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examination of applications made, and consequences, for relaxation of provisions under section 5 of the Act and recommendations for improvement;
  
• the effectiveness of prescribing permitted hours in legislation;
  
• the suitability of the permitted hours as currently prescribed; and
  
• the role of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in setting permitted hours outside the prescribed hours.
  

• The operation and performance of the provisions of the Act and how, in practice, different provisions are contributing to the objects of the Act and consider the impact of the existing framework for the regulation of trading hours in Queensland.
  
• The effects of trading hours regulation on the Queensland economy and on regional Queensland.
  

Submission can be made here, Parliament Queensland --> Committee Details | Queensland Parliament

[achiruel]

Wow, finally some common sense. Full deregulation with minimal restrictions for particular days.

This  will get bums on seats finally on the bus network.

Pure assumption on your part with basically zero evidence.

Disagree? Present some then.

[verbatim9]

Wow, finally some common sense. Full deregulation with minimal restrictions for particular days.

This  will get bums on seats finally on the bus network.

Pure assumption on your part with basically zero evidence.

Disagree? Present some then.

There is increase of foot traffic and public transport use when major retail is open. There is evidence of this when Sunday trading was introduced, Sunday bus frequency was increased to reflect the change. There are a lot more people moving around on Saturday evening since the change 5 years ago, as well.

[#Metro]

Pure assumption on your part with basically zero evidence.

Disagree? Present some then.

No need - just deregulate and then observe what the effects are.

[verbatim9]

Submissions are now open. The inquiry will likely make recommendations to reflect community and business expectations on the matter.:

The terms of reference for the Inquiry are that the committee inquire into and report on the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act), in particular:

• To consider the impact of amendments made by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Amendment Act 2017, with particular regard to:
  
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium on trading hours orders and restriction on making applications (section 59 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium applicable to shops in Mossman and Port Douglas Tourist Area (section 56 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examination of applications made, and consequences, for relaxation of provisions under section 5 of the Act and recommendations for improvement;
  
• the effectiveness of prescribing permitted hours in legislation;
  
• the suitability of the permitted hours as currently prescribed; and
  
• the role of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in setting permitted hours outside the prescribed hours.
  

• The operation and performance of the provisions of the Act and how, in practice, different provisions are contributing to the objects of the Act and consider the impact of the existing framework for the regulation of trading hours in Queensland.
  
• The effects of trading hours regulation on the Queensland economy and on regional Queensland.
  

Submission can be made here, Parliament Queensland --> Committee Details | Queensland Parliament

Just a reminder that submissions close today at 5. I am supporting full deregulation, that reflects the ACT model and protects half day Anzac and Christmas day only. This will also free up the number of people that can work at independent stores at anyone time. Allowing that sector to capitalise and grow.

[verbatim9]

Submissions are now open. The inquiry will likely make recommendations to reflect community and business expectations on the matter.:

The terms of reference for the Inquiry are that the committee inquire into and report on the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (the Act), in particular:

• To consider the impact of amendments made by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Amendment Act 2017, with particular regard to:
  
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium on trading hours orders and restriction on making applications (section 59 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examining the impact of the moratorium applicable to shops in Mossman and Port Douglas Tourist Area (section 56 of the Act) and recommendations following its expiry;
  
• examination of applications made, and consequences, for relaxation of provisions under section 5 of the Act and recommendations for improvement;
  
• the effectiveness of prescribing permitted hours in legislation;
  
• the suitability of the permitted hours as currently prescribed; and
  
• the role of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in setting permitted hours outside the prescribed hours.
  

• The operation and performance of the provisions of the Act and how, in practice, different provisions are contributing to the objects of the Act and consider the impact of the existing framework for the regulation of trading hours in Queensland.
  
• The effects of trading hours regulation on the Queensland economy and on regional Queensland.
  

Submission can be made here, Parliament Queensland --> Committee Details | Queensland Parliament

Just a reminder that submissions close today at 5. I am supporting full deregulation, that reflects the ACT model and protects half day Anzac and Christmas day only. This will also free up the number of people that can work at independent stores at anyone time. Allowing that sector to capitalise and grow.

Submission can be made here, Parliament Queensland --> Committee Details | Queensland Parliament

[#Metro]

I had a skim read of the papers -

Current Model

The Act imposes restrictions on permitted trading hours for certain shops in Queensland. The Act
distinguishes between the following three classes of shops:

• Exempt shops;
• Independent Retail Shops, which are a category of exempt shops; and
• Non-exempt shops.

On top of this there is a 'Swiss-cheese' matrix of exemptions and carve-outs for particular days, whether its a declared 'Seaside Resort' or 'Tourist Area' etc. 

For example, New Farm is considered a 'Tourist Area'  and as such trading hours are more relaxed.

There is an inspectorate inside the OIC  to make sure that complaints about a shop being open (!) outside of the legal trading hours are investigated. Reminds me of the time that the Queensland Government had public servants chasing Ubers around town.

[#Metro]

1996 Sunday trading throughout Victoria - Australian Food Timeline (text markup added)

Sunday trading was introduced on ten Sundays per year in 1991. In 1992, stores in the Melbourne CBD were permitted to trade on Sundays and this was extended to selected 'tourist precincts' in 1993. In 1996, retail trading in Victoria was effectively deregulated, with the exception of certain public holidays: Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day.

Victoria was the first of the States to allow unrestricted Sunday trading, although the two Territories – Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory –  had no legislation restricting trading hours. The retail trading arrangements for the various States and Territories as of 2001 can be found here.

Prior to the lifting of restrictions in Victoria, there had been a long campaign by certain retailers for reform of retail trading hours. The most notable case was that of Frank Penhalluriack, a hardware retailer. During the 1980s, milk bars and petrol stations were among the very few retailers permitted to trade on Sundays.

Penhalluriack claimed that retailing was a public service and should not be subject to restrictions. He opened his hardware store seven days a week, openly flouting the laws. He was repeatedly arrested and charged but refused to pay fines and even spent time in Pentridge Prison. He enjoyed support from the public and from the media and his continued battle with the law embarrassed the Victorian government. His campaign played a significant role in changing the law to permit Sunday trading.

Extended retail trading hours further casualised the workforce – in 1992, 30% of 17-year-old boys and 40% of 17-year-old girls had a part-time job, mostly in retail or in fast food.

There is a video on this Wiki Page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Penhalluriack

Officers from the Department of Labour and Industry repeatedly fined Penhalluriack for his breaches of the law, and the whole issue gained considerable local media attention. When he refused to pay he volunteered himself to spend time in jail, and was arrested by the Caulfield Police, who transferred him to the Glenferrie Road Malvern cell behind the Police Station. The next day he was transferred to Pentridge, where he was classified as a nuisance, and returned to his freedom. He was re-arrested at his shop the following Sunday, and spent a further 19 days incarceration in HM Prison Pentridge

it gets even more crazy...

The conflict continued, and a frustrated Magistrate refused Penhalluriack's request for an adjournment, and fined him $501,000 for his failure to close his business on 21 occasions. This was a political disaster for the government...

With the DPP's appeal safely behind him, and the government incensed at his temerity, the summons came at a rate of two every Saturday, and two more every Sunday. After a few months he had enough to stick them inside his front shop window, spelling out "$500k".

Shop Trading Reform Act 1996 (Vic)
http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/stra1996210/

1996 Sunday trading throughout Victoria
https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/sunday-trading/

[verbatim9]

The same set of unrestricted rules for retail should apply Australia-wide and reflect the ACT model, where stores are only closed on the morning of Anzac day and on Christmas Day. National consistency is paramount when it comes to retail opening hours.

[#Metro]

Literally one guy forced the Victorian Government to abandon retail trade hour regulation, and only after he went to prison for it and was hit with a $500000+ fine, which he refused to pay 

[verbatim9]

Qld retail inquiry – industry demands greater consumer choice and removal of inconsistencies

Qld retail inquiry – industry demands greater consumer choice and removal of inconsistencies
Posted on October 21, 2021 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Parliament's Education, Employment and Training Committee is undertaking an inquiry into retail trading hours which could lead to improved consumer choice and reduced inconsistencies, but will probably end up recommending minimal changes, I fear. Hopefully, it will at least support major retailers opening on Sundays in regional centres such as Mount Isa.

I don't have a lot of hope the Parliamentary Committee will advocate removing all the silly inconsistencies which frustrate consumers and force people to travel further than they otherwise would. Why, for instance, do the closest supermarkets to me, Woolies at Spring Hill and Macarthur Central, close at 6pm on Sunday, but the Coles at Merthyr Rd is open to 9pm and Harris Farm Markets at West End is open to 10pm on a Sunday?

The Committee is not due to report until late January next year, but public submissions have now been published on its website. Industry bodies such as CCIQ, Commerce North West, and the National Retail Association are rightly supporting further deregulation. CCIQ has identified some major problems with current regulations in its submission. For instance, the side of a road your business is on can have major implications for your trading hours and turnover due to regulation-defined boundaries ...

Source - INQUIRY INTO THE OPERATION OF THE TRADING (ALLOWABLE HOURS) ACT 1990, Parliament Queensland.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/verbatim18/status/1451016030222913540

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandParl1/status/1457483216567287809

[#Metro]

Any RBOT members wish to appear before Queensland Parliament? I know there are one or two members here keen to see trading hours reformed.

Would be suggesting that later trading hours would support out-of-hours PT.

[verbatim9]

That would be good if people from the forum can attend to advocate change.

Apparently people can attend online as well, which is handy.

Longer hours trading hours that allow stores to open from 6am-midnight 7days when they choose would be good, with some 24/7 hubs.

[#Metro]

Any comments about RBOT members making an official RBOT representation as to a position to support longer trading hours to support PT, particularly at main hubs (e.g. Carindale, Toowong, Indooroopilly, etc.).

[ozbob]

I think most people would like some increase in trading hours, but the important point from our perspective is that public transport should be available to match extended hours where applicable.

[verbatim9]

True, 6 am- midnight 7 days would be a good starting point. Most stores would likely to trade from 7-10pm and as demand increases they will open longer. But I guess areas such as Cairns, Newstead, New Farm, Ipswich CBD, Toowong, Milton, Toombul and West End might go straight to 6 am - midnight 7 days.

[#Metro]

I think it should be similar to Victoria. Bare minimum and then the shop works out what it wants to do.

[verbatim9]

That would be the easiest.

[verbatim9]

What a great vision for the centre. This old centre is based on 1980s car centric design. The new design will compliment the higher density around the centre as well as promote better accessibility for active travellers. (active transport).