A letter from the president

Dear fellow traders and professionals,

Retail sales have improved across Victoria and we have seen more office workers returning to Camberwell Junction. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed $34.2 billion was spent in stores and online in June – an increase of 12 per cent on a year ago and up 0.2 per cent compared to May 2022.

There are still challenges for our businesses, especially with staff and stock shortages, however Australia is better placed than many other countries to handle high inflation and increasing interest rates. Australians are also more financially secure, with savings balances 46 per cent higher than two years ago, a Melbourne Institute report states. This means people have a financial buffer and discretionary dollars to shop.

Our winter food promotion, Camberwell Culinary Awards, is now running. This year we invite the public to get involved and nominate their favourite businesses. They have to show that they have spent money in the business to enter, so make the most of this promotion and tell your customers to vote. They could win $500 to spend in Camberwell Junction stores and your business could win a ‘Best of Award’ for 2022!

We’ve shared tips from the Mainstreet Australia Conference on how you can improve your customer’s in-store experience and build relationships aligned to your brand. Customer service expectations are higher and they want an ‘experience’ when shopping in person, beyond what they can get online. We share ideas on how you can introduce this into your business and align your brand.

Please visit the Trader Portal on the camberwellshopping.com.au website – it has information to help your business, like government news, support programs and workshops. Also contact our manager Kerry Daly if you are not getting our monthly updates, as it’s important to keep abreast of what’s going on locally. The association can also help promote your business, reaching people outside of your database, so use this leverage whenever you can. Send your specials and offers via email to: info@camberwellca.com.au

Regards,

Henk Kelly-Kobes

President, Camberwell Centre Association