It’s impossible to ignore that the local retail environment is struggling to make ends meet, as local consumer behaviour shifts and retailers look to international suppliers in an effort to circumvent local wholesalers and manufacturers.
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has spoken about the Productivity Commission (PC) draft report into the future of the retail industry released last week, declaring the review makes it clear the Australian retail sector has a bright future but needs to continue to innovate and change.
One of Australia’s most outspoken entrepreneurs, Ruslan Kogan, has announced he’s “divorcing” the traditional retail channel, arguing economists must stop grouping online retail with traditional bricks and mortar retailers.
Bricks and mortar retailers gathered in Sydney this week for the Engage in E-tail seminar, in an effort to better their response to rising consumer demand for e-commerce offerings.
Julian Smith looks at the business lessons that can be gleaned from outdoor wear retailer, Kathmandu.
“In a market where the big players such as Myer and David Jones are continually downgrading profit projections, how did Kathmandu do it?”
Australian businesses with a website are more successful than those without, according to the MYOB Business Monitor Online Special Report. But despite this knowledge, the majority of Australian businesses still do not have a website – with 57 percent of businesses still choosing not to promote or sell their products online.
Julian Smith blogs about new findings from MYOB that show businesses with websites have consistently higher revenues.
“If consumers are not finding you online, for them your business doesn’t exist.”
Small businesses and bricks & mortar retailers are being urged to heed new figures that show Australians will spend over $13.6 billion online this year; with experts advising they focus on engaging customers via multiple channels to build deeper relationships and grab the consumer dollar.
Australian small and medium businesses are embracing e-commerce in record numbers now, but experts are warning they should remain vigilant about risks associated with internet use.
With group buying becoming a phenomenon across Australia, OurDeal has six simple tips for businesses to make the most of the opportunities it presents.
