Camberwell Traders' Newsletter Q2 2024

A letter from the president

Dear fellow traders and professionals,

I hope the year has been going well for you so far and that you’re ready for the winter trading season.

While cost-of-living pressures continue, March retail sales did show a modest increase of 0.8 per cent compared to the same time last year. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that other retailing – including cosmetics, sports and recreational goods – saw the strongest growth (up 2.4 per cent), followed by food (up 2.1 per cent), and cafes, restaurants and takeaway (up 1.2 per cent). The good news is that most states across the country experienced sales growth year-on-year, including Victoria (up 0.8 per cent).

We continue to operate in a challenging environment, so it’s important to think about ways you can attract customers to your stores. Studies are showing that consumers unaffected by inflation are spending more, while those feeling the pinch are looking for affordable and high-value options. This might prompt you to offer products or services at different price points to cater to different customers.

In this newsletter you’ll find details about our planned promotions for the year. In the coming months we’ll have our winter food campaign, Camberwell Culinary Awards. The awards were popular last year. Customers vote for their favourite eateries in the precinct and to participate they need to spend money at food businesses. This not only increases sales, it encourages people to discover our great food and dining offering and visit the precinct more often.

Winter fashion and homewares will also be promoted, as well as school holiday entertainment. Our regular marketing includes monthly trader profiles, SEO articles so people can find us when searching for shops and services online, updating our website to include new businesses and trader events, posting on social media, and producing The Camberwell Citizen newspaper.

Be sure to check the Trader Portal at camberwellshopping.com.au to find details about government updates, business support and council updates. Also send your offers and promotions to our manager Kerry Daly so we can share them: info@camberwellca.com.au

Regards, Henk Kelly-Kobes President, Camberwell Centre Association

Marketing snapshot

Our recent promotions have included Easter, Mother’s Day, and CamberWELL-BEING. The Easter Bunny visited Camberwell Junction over two days to meet and greet shoppers. We also featured our annual competition, The Great Camberwell Easter Hunt with golden eggs hidden on posters across the precinct. The Easter campaign was supported by digital advertising, social media activity, printed posters, and online editorial.

Following last year’s success, we brought back the Marvellous Mum Awards to mark Mother’s Day. Entrants had the chance to win $500 to spend in Camberwell Junction – all they had to do was tell us what Mother’s Day award they would give their mum. The promotion was supported by website editorial, digital promotion, and outdoor advertising.

The Camberwell Sunday Market attracts 8000 visitors weekly, many of whom do not regularly shop locally. To help entice them to discover Camberwell Junction businesses, we invite traders to provide us with special offer coupons that we can distribute at special events. The offers can be for Sundays or other times, ideally offering a two-for-one or 'free with purchase' offer and valid for at least six months. If you're interested contact the office on (03) 9813 4190.

Our online marketing activities continue to yield strong results. Here’s a snapshot of Camberwell Junction’s digital audience numbers:

• More than 8200 email addresses in our subscriber database

• More than 124,400 visits to the websites over the past year

• More than 9500 followers on social media.

Camberwell Culinary Awards returns this year and will be our main campaign for winter, as customers opt for indoor dining during the cooler months. The campaign aims to boost awareness of our food and dining businesses, and reinforce the awards as an annual event.

The Camberwell Culinary Awards celebrates the finest cuisine in Camberwell Junction by giving people the chance to vote for their favourite meal or beverage.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Members of the public can vote for their favourite meal or beverage across a range of categories including best coffee, best brunch, best sweet treat, best drinking spot, best casual dining, best fine dining, best takeaway, and best healthy option. By voting, they will get the chance to win a major prize, as well as a series of minor prizes.

The campaign supports Camberwell Junction traders, driving customers to your venues and encouraging them to spend money. To be eligible to enter the Camberwell Culinary Awards, customers have to purchase a meal or beverage, retain their receipt, and upload it as proof of purchase alongside their entry. Customers can enter the competition as many times as they like with every unique receipt.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

If you operate a food business within the precinct, we encourage you to get involved so you can leverage the marketing activities we’ll be doing to promote the campaign. All food businesses will automatically be eligible to be entered into the awards however, there are extra things you can do to promote your business during this period.

Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Let us know that you want your business promoted during this campaign and we can arrange to have an official poster displayed on your shop window

• Send us details about your offers, specials and sales during the campaign so we can promote it on our website

• Offer a special lunch deal, set menu, grab-and-go meal deal, hire musicians or run special events. Let us know so we can share it to help entice customers into your business

• Tell your customers to vote for your business in the awards.

The Camberwell Culinary Awards is a great way to celebrate our local food businesses, engage our local community, and drive sales. The campaign will be supported by extensive advertising and marketing, so please get on board.

If you have any questions about the campaign, please email event coordinator Aaron: camberwell@assemblo.com

Become a paid refund point operator in Container Deposit Scheme

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can, carton, and bottle they return. Your business can become a CDS Refund Point Operator and get paid for each container returned through your location. Local businesses participating say they value the extra income and they’ve seen an increase in foot traffic from new customers. Their contribution to recycling is also earning them a favourable reputation. To become a refund point operator, call Visy on 1300 220 815 or visit visy.com/cpo-form

Easter events popular with shoppers

The Easter Bunny visited the precinct on March 23 and 24 to meet and greet shoppers. Both days were busy, and shoppers responded positively by stopping to take photos with the Easter Bunny and his princess helper. On the Sunday, we collaborated with the Rotary Camberwell Sunday Market and the Easter Bunny roamed the market for the morning to engage with the crowd of 8000 visitors that attend each week. We’ve seen this as an excellent opportunity to drive market visitors to the shopping precinct so we can leverage the foot traffic. As such, we handed out vouchers to participating stores and ensured the Easter Bunny moved onto Burke Rd and the junction after the market ended to draw crowds to other shops. Thank you to all the traders who got involved.

CamberWELL-BEING a success

On May 25 we hosted CamberWELL-BEING, our annual event to highlight health and wellness businesses in Camberwell Junction. The event invited people to participate in the Wellness Trail, allowing them to explore local businesses and meet our traders. Trail participants joined fitness challenges at gyms, sampled health foods, tried medical treatments, and signed up for classes. They also went into a draw to win from a prize pool worth $9000. We had a good turnout and look forward to hosting next year’s event to support our growing health and wellness sector.

Camberwell Place parking update

You may have noticed a change to the upper and lower levels of parking at Camberwell Place shopping centre. Camberwell Junction Traders’ Association President Henk Kelly-Kobes has been instrumental in calling on council to review Camberwell Place’s car parking permit obligations to provide a minimum two hours of free parking in their private car park. This will help the centre’s traders and responds to customer complaints. Camberwell Place centre management said they would change restrictions from the recently instated 30 minutes of free parking to allow for two hours of free parking. Fees still apply beyond two hours. New parking metres and signage have been installed to indicate the change.

Marketing calendar

What’s coming up?

JUNE

✓ King’s Birthday public holiday (June 10)

✓ End of financial year sales

✓ School holidays (June 29 – July 14)

JULY

✓ Winter promotion

✓ School holidays (June 29 – July 14)

AUGUST

✓ Camberwell Culinary Awards

✓ The Camberwell Citizen issue #20 available

✓ Father’s Day promotions begin

Trader Portal

Check the Trader Portal tab on the website for helpful advice and resources. Examples of current articles that can help your business include tips and links for improving your digital security, government grants for small restaurants, and a business recycling and waste toolkit.

Visit: camberwellshopping.com.au/cca-association-news

Business support

If you receive this newsletter, you’re within the boundary of the Camberwell Junction Traders Association. To get maximum benefit, you need to engage with the association.

• Check you are receiving regular email newsletters so you are abreast of upcoming promotions that might benefit you and those you can participate in.

• Do you have a web page for your business on our website? You can update your details including trading hours, social media, services, new photos etc.

• Send your special offers via email to info@ camberwellca.com.au and include an image (370px x 270px), offer details, and valid dates. We’ll post this on the website’s offers page and it’ll appear on your trader page.

• Share details about special events or in-store activations. We’ll post this on the What’s On page and possibly the monthly newsletter (8000 subscribers).

• Tag @camberwellshopping in your social posts so we can on-share to an audience beyond your followers.

• Trader packs: We provide artwork to support campaigns and events that you can use as part of your marketing and social media. Helping us to promote these events will attract more people to Camberwell Junction to benefit all traders.

• We provide posters and window decals to support precinct events. Ensure your staff are aware and tell your customers about it to encourage visitation.

• The Camberwell Citizen: We produce three editions of the newspaper annually, with 30,000 copies delivered to local households and across the precinct. Enquire about advertising opportunities for traders: citizen@assemblo.com

Networking events

TRADER AND BUSINESS FORUMS

The next Camberwell Business Forum will take place in July. The Camberwell Business Forums offer local businesses a great opportunity to meet and network. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. Events are FREE for Camberwell traders or $25 for non-members, unless otherwise stated. Details and tickets: camberwellbusiness.com.au

THE CAMBERWELL BUSINESS CLUB

The Camberwell Business Club meets on the first Thursday of each month (from February to December). Meetings are held upstairs at Deco (211 Camberwell Rd) from 1pm – 2pm sharp, and features a guest speaker. Membership packages are available. It’s a great chance to meet fellow business operators over a light lunch. Details: camberwellbusinessclub.com.au

Shop news

Catch up with new businesses, store moves and other news.

ARYA INDIAN GROCERY

522 Riversdale Rd

New to Camberwell Junction, Arya Indian Grocery is a speciality retailer that sells Indian grocery items.

BONBONS BAKERY

727 Burke Rd

Bonbons Bakery is now in Camberwell Junction and sells a range of cakes, cream buns, doughnuts, mousse desserts, pastries and coffee.

BRAVA LINGERIE

835 Burke Rd

Brava offers lingerie that supports inclusivity and body positivity with band sizes from 6 to 22 and cups from D to KK. Find on-trend and supportive bras designed for everyday wear, sport, maternity and bridal, and a range of swimwear.

CAMBERWELL FRESH FOOD MARKET

519 - 525 Riversdale Rd

Don’t forget, you can now visit Camberwell Fresh Food Market on Sundays. Select traders are open from 10am to 3pm.

CLUB AMPM

469 Riversdale Rd

Club AMPM offers full-body dynamic reformer and hot mat Pilates open to all levels, with options to dial it up or down.

CLUB LIME

513 Riversdale Rd

Club Lime has arrived in Camberwell Junction. With 24/7 access, the facility offers free weights, Olympic benches, powered cardio equipment, and pin-loaded and plate-loaded equipment that are convenient for an express workout.

EMMA MAY PHOTOGRAPHY

1/199 Camberwell Rd

Emma May Photography is a photography studio based in Camberwell Junction that offers maternity, newborn and family photography. The business offers in-studio shoots and location sunset shoots.

ISSABELLA STYLIST

788 Burke Rd

Issabella is an independent stylist with 9 years in the industry. She offers hair colour, edgy haircuts, styling and extensions.

NAGOMI RETREAT

949 Burke Rd

New to Camberwell Junction, Nagomi Retreat invites you to discover the art of relaxation and rejuvenation through massage. They provide a sanctuary of tranquillity to embark on a journey of self-care and wellbeing with their skilled therapists and opulent treatments.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

PRESIDENT Henk Kelly-Kobes

Dymocks

Bookstore 9882 0032

TREASURER

Daniel Piciocco

Aintree Group 9851 7933

MEMBERS

Wayne Chen

The Gift Bargain Store 0433 159 949

Neil Earle Earle & Company 9882 0233

George Keskerides

Terry White Chemist 9882 6655

VICE PRESIDENT

Ray Orr Mail Boxes Etc 9813 2200

SECRETARY

Bev Wooffindin

Bookkeeping 0412 480 925

Chris Risteski itsagame 0401 916 082

Milo Barkin Barrel & Roast 9603 0337

Brittany Unwin SC Accounting 8840 9188

Nick Binney Aintree Group 9851 7958

If you would like to become a member of the association or take a role on the committee contact the president to discuss.

SUPPORT FOR TRADERS

All traders are welcome to contact precinct manager Kerry Daly to discuss any marketing or relevant issues. Call (03) 9813 4190 or email kdaly@camberwellca.com.au

STAY INFORMED

The trader’s association sends out regular email newsletters with current business, news and marketing updates to ensure you stay informed about what’s going on in the precinct. If you are not receiving these emails then we either do not have your current email address or you need to check your spam filters. Please contact us if you are having any issues with receiving the email newsletter.

CONTACT US

For further information regarding topics in this newsletter, please contact:

Kerry Daly Camberwell Centre Association Manager

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROMOTIONS

In our marketing we highlight businesses offering activities or programs suitable for children during school holiday periods. If you would like to be included send details and an image to kdaly@camberwellca.com.au

Lvl 1, Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd Camberwell VIC 3124

Phone / Fax: (03) 9813 4190 info@camberwellca.com.au