Category Archives: Retail trade

Potential impact on Ford sales of plant closures

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Jeff Waters of ABC News Victoria interviewed me today regarding the potential impact on Ford sales of “badwill” and anxiety over servicing and parts availability created by the announced plant closures: Buyers cautious after Ford’s announced closures I told Jeff … Continue reading →

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Retail sector adapting to new frugality – big box shopping & affordable luxuries

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Australia’s retail sector has had to adapt to the new frugality as a result of the financial crisis, and it appears that, among bricks-and-mortar retailers, only big box stores such as Bunnings have thrived. Yesterday saw the site launch of the … Continue reading →

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Big box stores like Costco essential if we’re to close retail productivity gap with US

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Gene Tunny

I was pleased to see the Deputy Premier used his special powers to approve the big box Costco store at North Lakes in Brisbane, avoiding a potential legal dispute that could delay the development (see the AAP report Costco is … Continue reading →

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New Ipswich Coles shows regulation banning supermarket liquor sales is pointless

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government may as well remove the regulation banning supermarkets from selling liquor, as called for by Master Grocers Australia (see this AAP story) because with co-located bottle shops they are effectively already selling liquor. This was apparent when … Continue reading →

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Pause in recovery in new motor vehicle sales in Qld

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Gene Tunny

While Queensland had decent growth of 6.9% through-the-year to February 2013 in new motor vehicle sales, we actually had the lowest growth rate across all States and Territories in new sales (see today’s new ABS data). Eyeballing the data, I’m … Continue reading →

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West End Aldi could be frontline in battle for retail trading hours deregulation

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The push for trading hours deregulation will receive extra impetus from Aldi, which hopes to set up a 24/7 store at West End in Brisbane (see the Brisbane Times report from the other day, Aldi looks to expand into West End). … Continue reading →

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Price sensitivity of demand for fine dining in Brisbane CBD – ARIA case study

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Matt Moran’s ARIA Restaurant at Brisbane’s Eagle St Pier is proving that you can sometimes increase revenue by cutting your prices – that is, if demand increases proportionately more than the price proportionately falls. ARIA is simply outstanding. It’s one … Continue reading →

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More young women studying full-time due to sluggish labour market

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Katherine Feeney has an interesting article in the Brisbane Times today on the decline in labour force participation (i.e. working or actively looking for work) among young women in Brisbane since the financial crisis (Young women out of work): In … Continue reading →

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Bunnings & Masters doing well, but clothing retailers struggling

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday’s retail turnover data from the ABS were unimpressive and have added to the case for a rate cut by the RBA Board today, which is almost a certainty. Our sluggish retail turnover reflects both Australia’s high savings rate in … Continue reading →

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OBPR recommends fast-tracked review of trading hours restrictions

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The Queensland Government’s new Office of Best Practice Regulation – Queensland’s mini Productivity Commission – released its interim report on Reducing the Burden of Regulation today, and I was very pleased to see it has recommended fast-tracking a review of … Continue reading →

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