MNI REALITY CHECK: Aussie Retail Sales Recovery To Continue

By Lachlan Colquhoun

     SYDNEY (MNI) - Australia's retail sales will extend the recovery from the

post-coronavirus trough, industry insiders told MNI, as the economy continues to

unlock after the Covid-19 pandemic disruptions, 'bricks and mortar' retailers

open their doors and online sales momentum continues to build. 

     Key points from MNI interviews ahead of the July 3 report:

     *Consumers want to get out again to their local centres because it's part

of their lives and daily activities.

     *Sales picking up in the digital and real worlds

     PHIL MCAVEETY, DIRECTOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, SCENTRE PROPERTY GROUP

     "Many of our retail partners noted a spike in online sales during the

height of the pandemic, particularly those that had closed their physical store

network.

     "Customers are feeling assured by safety and hygiene measures in our

centres and are feeling more confident as they move around their local

communities," said McAveety.

     "Now that the vast majority of physical stores are open and trading, we're

seeing those retails benefitting from the network effect of an integrated

strategy across both physical and digital channels."

     STEPHEN SMOOKER, OWNER "SHE LOVES YOU" BAR IN NEWTOWN, SYDNEY

     "We'd been getting calls and messages asking us when we were opening, so we

had the feeling that people were keen to get out again," said Smooker.

     "The first Friday back we had our best night ever by 10%, and then topped

it by another 10% the next night.

     "Ours is a small bar, with only around 30 seats, and because there's a 50

person maximum limit in pubs there were lots of people out looking for somewhere

to go."

     ALICIA GOLDSTEIN, OWNER OF JEWELLERY AND GIFT STORE AT WINDSOR, NEAR SYDNEY

     "COVID restrictions would normally limit businesses, but people have been

buying local - maybe when they wouldn't otherwise," said Goldstein.

     "We're sending a message to support local."

     The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release full May data on July 3.

Preliminary data for the month showed a 16.3% rise in retail turnover.

     That data was compiled from the monthly Retail Business Survey based on

businesses which make up 80% of total turnover and is therefore subject to

revision. 

     Retail sales slumped 17.7% in April on a month-on-month basis as the

economy went into lockdown after a surprise 8.5% rise in March due to panic

buying at supermarkets.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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