I hope you’re well and that you’re ready to welcome the spring/summer trading period. Many of you have mentioned you’re looking forward to an uptick in the coming months.
Retail sales for June were modest, with a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase. Food, cafes, restaurants and takeaway boosted sales, but some categories showed a downturn including household goods; department stores; and clothing, footwear and accessories.
While cost-of-living pressures are still impacting us, it’s not all bad news. Research from Australian Retailers Association showed that Aussies spent $860 million on Father’s Day gifts this year ($112 per gift, on average). National retail sales also rebounded in July by 0.5 per cent due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and school holidays. This shows how important it is to make the most of key retail dates and seasonal events so you can maximise sales when customers are willing to spend. In this newsletter you’ll find details about our planned promotions for the year. Our food campaign, Camberwell Culinary Awards, runs until the end of September. Customers vote for their favourite
Following a successful launch last year, the Camberwell Culinary Awards returned over winter to celebrate cuisine in the precinct by giving customers the chance to vote for their favourite meal or beverage. They had to vote 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. The campaign aims to drive sales to local businesses, as entrants have to purchase a meal or beverage and upload their receipt for a valid entry into the competition. The major prize is $500 to spend in Camberwell Junction, as well as 10 x $50 vouchers. The competition runs until September 30 and we’ll share results of winning businesses for each category in the next newsletter.
On Sunday, July 30, we ran Jazz at the Market – an activation in collaboration with the Camberwell Sunday Market. This was part of our ongoing partnership to drive market visitors to the wider shopping precinct. The day featured a live jazz band at the market, and promoters handed out vouchers to drive customers from the market to our shops. We are continuing to work with the market to cross-promote the precinct and leverage marketing opportunities.
eateries in the precinct and to participate they need to spend money at food businesses. This drives sales, encourages people to discover our great food and dining offering, and visit the precinct more often. We’ve also got Kylie and Dannii Day planned for late October to celebrate the famous Minogue sisters and their connection to Camberwell. We’ll share more details about this event on the website soon.
Lastly, our precinct manager Kerry Daly shares some insights from the recent Mainstreet Australia Conference, where retailers and industry experts gathered to discuss trends and the way retail is changing.
Make sure you check the Trader Portal at camberwellshopping.com.au to find details about government updates and business support resources. Also send us your offers and promotions via email so we can share them: info@camberwellca.com.au
Regards, Henk Kelly-Kobes President, Camberwell Centre AssociationFather's Day featured a branded promotion across outdoor and digital advertising. This incorporated laneway posters, an article on the website, custom website and digital graphics, and social media posts to keep Father’s Day front of mind for shoppers.
Our online marketing activities continue to yield strong results. Here’s a snapshot of Camberwell Junction’s digital audience numbers:
• More than 7,800 email addresses in our subscriber database
• More than 161,600 visits to the websites over the past year
• More than 9,300 followers on social media.
The Mainstreet Australia Conference was held in August and shared some interesting insights for retailers and business operators.
Mainstreet Australia is the organisation that represents people who work with local businesses in shopping precincts, business districts and town centres, including trader associations, councils, and industry affiliates. Camberwell Centre Association is a member and, as a committee member of Mainstreet Australia, our manager Kerry Daly attended their national conference, Think Big Act Local.
The conference featured international speakers who highlighted the importance of placemaking in shopping centres. This is very relevant as Boroondara Council is currently preparing Camberwell Junction’s structure plan which will incorporate ideas and proposals to improve the ambience and functionality of the precinct, of which you can find updates on the Trader Portal on our website.
There were also fantastic speakers that shared local data on retail trends and analytics, as well as advice on how to become a great leader, and updates on the impact our economy has on our customer’s discretionary spending. Our own marketing agency, Assemblo, presented a fantastic explanation about the difference between creating a brand and just designing a logo. They shared the importance of having a clear brand identity; understanding what your company stands for, represents and aims for, so people can relate to it; and ensuring all elements of your business reflects that identity in a consistent manner.
Conferences are also an opportunity to learn and share with other people in the industry, make contacts, and be inspired by fellow professionals who are passionate about main streets and local precincts.
You can find additional information and download the ‘Key Takeaways’ report from the Mainstreet Australia Conference on the Trader Portal section of our website. Visit camberwellshopping.com.au
Boroondara Council is on a journey to improve Camberwell Junction for the community and is undergoing a collaborative community feedback process to compile a comprehensive placemaking and structure plan. This plan will be a long-term guide to land use and development in the precinct.
In stage 1 of this project, the council analysed the precinct and uncovered the unique factors of Camberwell Junction. This included existing projects, technical studies and background research.
During stage 2, they asked for public feedback to better understand what the community loves about Camberwell Junction, and to hear ideas and hopes for the future of this area. Public feedback, along with demographic and socio-economic analysis, was used to better understand the whole community’s needs.
During stage 3 of the project, the council asked for feedback about the vision and priorities that were developed from researching and refining the ideas shared in stage 2. This feedback is currently under review.
Learn more about the project by visiting: engage.boroondara.vic.gov.au/camberwellplacemaking
Our independently produced newspaper, The Camberwell Citizen, will soon open advertising for the final edition of the year. This will be the Christmas/summer edition and offers brands and businesses an effective way to further leverage Christmas campaigns and New Year promotions through targeted advertising. This edition will be distributed from mid-November, giving you optimal time to advertise your business in the lead up to and during the festive period. The publication, which features a range of local stories and also has a dedicated section that highlights the Camberwell Junction precinct, has a local distribution of 30,000 copies (including 28,000 to local homes and 2,000 to cafes and retail stores in the Camberwell Junction precinct).
Enquire about advertising by sending an email to: citizen@assemblo.com
A Victorian Business Innovation Survey is being undertaken to help the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) to gain a better understanding of what innovation looks like across different parts of Victoria. The results of the survey will help DJSIR to create more effective placebased policies to support innovation by Victorian businesses. The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is a great opportunity to help inform future innovation policies and tailor support to businesses across Victoria.
To take the survey, visit: surveymonkey.com/r/business-innovation-survey
What’s coming up?
Meet other traders, professionals and community members to share ideas and issues.
SEPTEMBER
✓ Camberwell Culinary Awards
✓ Spring school holidays (September 18 – 29)
OCTOBER
✓ Kylie and Dannii Day (October 29)
✓ Halloween (October 31)
NOVEMBER
✓ The Camberwell Citizen issue #18 available
✓ Melbourne Cup Day (November 7)
DECEMBER
✓ Camberwell Christmas Family Day (December 9)
✓ Christmas Day (December 25)
✓ Boxing Day (December 26)
✓ Summer school holidays (December 21 – January 30)
Keep an eye out for our next Camberwell Business Forum. Visit camberwellbusiness.com.au to get further details and to purchase your tickets.
The Camberwell Business Forums offer local businesses a great opportunity to meet and network. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. Guest speakers and topics for future events will be posted on camberwellbusiness.com.au. Events are FREE for Camberwell traders or $25 for non-members, unless otherwise stated.
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
It is difficult to keep up with new operators in the precinct, particularly those in upper levels, so please keep us informed. The camberwellshopping.com.au website is not just for retailers — businesses can use it too.
If your business deals directly with the public or works with other small businesses, please let us know. We can create a web page for you at no cost.
We remind all businesses to check out camberwellbusiness.com.au, where we post local business events held in Camberwell. If you are hosting a local seminar or event, we can also help promote it for free. Send info to: info@camberwellca.com.au
Please see our Trader Portal tab on the website for helpful advice for rent negotiations, mediation, business and mental health support programmes available to you.
camberwellshopping.com.au/cca-association-news
395 Camberwell Rd
There’s a new fitness and lifestyle coach in town. With 1:1 coaching, strength workouts, and nutritional advice available at Bear It All, it’s a great place to start your fitness and wellbeing journey.
835 Burke Rd
Brava Lingerie has extended their business hours. As well as being open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm, they are now open Sunday from 11am – 4pm.
141 Camberwell Rd
Eclat is a unique, members-only workspace. Featuring 42 lockable, bespoke offices, high-end meeting rooms, bar, lounge, gym, event space and podcast studio, working has never been so stylish. Enquire about their membership options today.
642 Burke Rd
Provincial Home Living now offers a consultation service through their Design Studio to help clients with tailored designs suitable to their taste and budget. Head in store to get more details.
R-HAAN
415 Riversdale Rd
New to Camberwell Junction, R-Haan is a restaurant that offers classic Thai flavours and traditional dishes. They have mastered the art of creating hearty and comforting dishes that evoke feelings of home-cooked meals. Licenced or BYO wine only. Make a booking by calling (03) 9191 6959.
200 Camberwell Rd
Super Tuesdays are back at the Rivoli! Members can now enjoy 50 per cent off standard tickets every Tuesday, excluding Gold Class.
SHARON DAVIS MUSIC
2/321 Camberwell Rd
Sharon Davis Music has arrived in Camberwell Junction. Specialising in group guitar and group piano classes, they also offer private lessons in bass, vocals, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and more for kids from 4 years all the way through to adults.
TRAVEL MONEY OZ
554-556 Burke Rd
Are you heading overseas for a holiday or business? Pop into Travel Money Oz in Camberwell Junction to sort out your foreign currency, pre-paid travel money cards, travel insurance and international money transfers.
PRESIDENT Henk Kelly-Kobes Dymocks Bookstore 9882 0032
TREASURER
Daniel Piciocco Aintree Group 9851 7933
Wayne Chen The Gift Bargain Store 0433 159 949
Natalie Daw Helloworld Travel Camberwell 9963 1280
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 Camberwell Secretariat 9813 2707
Chris Risteski It's a Game 9859 8214
Milo Barkin Barrel & Roast 9603 0337
Amanda Lenny South Pacific Health Clubs 9882 8843
Brittany Unwin SC Accounting 8840 9188
If you would like to attend a committee meeting or get more involved, contact the president to discuss or attend our regular Camberwell Business Forum networking events.
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
The trader’s association sends out monthly 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.
For further information regarding topics in this newsletter, please contact Kerry Daly Camberwell Centre Association Manager
Lvl 1, Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd Camberwell VIC 3124
Phone / Fax: (03) 9813 4190
info@camberwellca.com.au
