A letter from the president

Dear fellow traders and professionals,

I hope you have all had a good start to the year. While I hear many of us had a healthy Christmas trading season, the sudden spike in the Omicron variant in January and ongoing staff shortages has been challenging. But if the past couple of years have shown us anything, it’s that we are resilient and we have found ways to bounce back. I am sure we can approach this year with the same attitude.

In positive news, the Australian Retailers Association released some interesting data which showed Australian retail sales were up by 4.8 per cent in December 2021 compared to the same time last year. The data, provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), also showed that Victoria was the leading state for sales growth, which rose 6.5 per cent compared to the year prior. This is promising news which I hope marks the start of our recovery as we adjust to trading in this ‘new normal’ environment.

In this newsletter we’ve highlighted key marketing opportunities coming up like Easter and Mother’s Day, and finally we can once again put on our annual

CamberWELL-BEING health and fitness event. This event helps to promote the many businesses in this category, of which we have over 100 in Camberwell Junction, and creates a fun experience to entice customers to the precinct, so we urge you all to get involved and help advertise the event.

You will find the Trader Portal on the camberwellshopping.com.au website the best way to stay informed about relevant and reliable information for businesses, including government and local news, grants, support programs, workshops as well as copies of our printed newsletters and links to local council initiatives. The traders’ association can also help promote your business on the website and via our online resources. We can reach people outside of your database, so use the association’s leverage whenever you can. Send your specials and offers via email to: info@camberwellca.com.au

Have a great Easter and stay well.

Regards, Henk Kelly-Kobes President, Camberwell Centre Association