Camberwell Traders' Newsletter Q4 2022

A letter from the president

Dear fellow traders and professionals,

I hope you are getting ready for a busy Christmas. The Australian Retailers Association predicts a 3 per cent year-on-year increase in Christmas spending, with shoppers expected to shop early to avoid supply issues.

While we still face challenges, the outlook seems promising. Experts predict inflation will rise slightly before falling to 5.5 per cent by mid-2023. Our current unemployment rate is 3.5 per cent which is extremely good and should give us confidence going forward.

Congratulations to the winners in the Camberwell Culinary Awards. This promotion was a great success for its first year with locals voting for their favourite food businesses. Having to upload a receipt ensured they were legitimate customers but no doubt the businesses that promoted the competition benefited, so hopefully more cafes and restaurants get behind this again next year.

Another new event held recently was the Kylie Appreciation Day, hosted in conjunction with the Camberwell Sunday Market. We featured in so many feeds including posts from Kylie and Dannii Minogue who loved this fan-driven recognition of Kylie’s

connection to Camberwell. The queens will return next year so there’s time to plan how to trade off this fun event.

Christmas promotions are rolling out, including our annual Christmas Family Day on December 10. This is our biggest marketing promotion so make the most of it by running specials, having your own in-store activations, decorating your windows or playing festive music.

Remember to regularly visit the Trader Portal at camberwellshopping.com.au – we post important information relevant to businesses, including government updates, support programs and workshops.

And finally, don’t forget to read the monthly email updates so you don’t miss out on what’s going on in the precinct. If you’re not getting them contact our manager Kerry Daly and update your details. Also remember to email her your offers so we can help promote your business: info@camberwellca.com.au

All the best for the festive season. Regards, Henk Kelly-Kobes President, Camberwell Centre Association

Marketing snapshot

In recent months we have promoted Father’s Day, held our first Kylie Appreciation day, launched our annual spring campaign, and ran our inaugural Camberwell Culinary Awards to promote the food and dining category.

The Kylie Appreciation Day, hosted in partnership with the Camberwell Sunday Market, was a successful event held on October 23. The event celebrated iconic singer Kylie Minogue through a series of performances including lip-sync acts, crowd entertainment, a Kylie look-alike fashion parade, and Kylie trivia. Drag queens Della Katessen, Gabriella Labucci and Brenda Bressed hosted most of the entertainment, and there was a special performance from Melbourne’s most famous Kylie impersonator, Millie Minogue. There was a decent turnout, with plenty of positive feedback postevent. We hope to turn this into an annual event.

This year we launched our inaugural Camberwell Culinary Awards. The campaign gave members of the public the ability to vote for their favourite food venues in Camberwell Junction for the chance to win $500 to spend in the precinct. We also offered $50 vouchers to 10 minor prize winners. Congratulations to the winning traders in the awards: Choclatte (Best Coffee, Best Takeaway), Glenferrie Crepe Cafe Camberwell (Best Brunch, Best Sweet Treat), Young’s Wine Rooms

(Best Drinking Spot), Con Noi Italian Trattoria (Best Casual Dining), Italy1 (Best Fine Dining), Kokoro Sushi (Best Healthy Option). We look forward to drumming up more interest for next year’s awards.

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

• More than 8,000 email addresses in our subscriber database

• More than 159,000 visits to the websites over the past year

• More than 9,100 followers on social media.

In Camberwell Junction In Camberwell Junction CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS

This year our Christmas Family Day returns and will run on Saturday, December 10 from 11am – 3pm across the shopping precinct.

Our Christmas Family Day is designed to create a focus for our Christmas promotions, drawing people to the precinct for their Christmas shopping and to celebrate the season with free family fun.

Customers will be invited to collect their activity checklist from our Christmas headquarters, adjacent to the Camberwell Fresh Food Market. This will note the many activations across the precinct including the fire truck rides, an arts and crafts station, visits to Santa’s display, a photo wall and props with a professional photographer to capture families and pets, plus our annual Where’s Rudolph? competition. There will be a colouring book giveaway for those that complete the checklist. We’ll also have plenty of entertainment on the day such as live music, roving circus entertainers, face painting and balloon modellers.

All of these activities are designed to move people around the precinct, encouraging them to explore different areas and new stores. The roving entertainment and music will add to the festive feel.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF THE CHRISTMAS FAMILY DAY

There are plenty of ways you can leverage the promotions and make the most of increased foot traffic expected on the day. Here are some ideas on how you can participate:

• Create a festive shop window display

• Play festive music in your store

• Get your staff to dress in a Christmas theme

• Offer free gift wrapping to customers

• Facilitate charitable contributions from sales on the day

• Provide special offers or in-store activations

• Sell pre-wrapped gift packs or display a table of gifts for Mum/Dad/under $20 etc.

If you do place stock or a gift table outside your shop, it must be kerbside and adhere to council rules. Make sure you tell us about your offers or events so we can share them on our social media and via our promoters on the day. Email your details to: info@camberwellca.com.au

As with all events, we provide a digital marketing pack for traders to use to help promote the precinct’s events to your customers. If you are not receiving these or our monthly email updates, you may need to re-subscribe to our database or update your details as it is in your interest to be informed about the precinct activities and marketing opportunities to help your business.

DIGITAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN

With a strong digital presence, we’re in a good position to promote Camberwell Junction as a leading shopping destination for Christmas.

We will have a comprehensive campaign to publicise our Christmas shopping and activities, including articles, direct email campaigns, animated advertisements, and branded updates on our website. This will be supported by digital advertising and social media advertising.

MAXIMISE CHRISTMAS TRADE

Christmas decorations are now up across the precinct to make it look festive and inviting – there are festive tree and bin surrounds, Christmas tree boxes, a tinsellined laneway, and other decorative features across the precinct.

With Christmas trade in full swing, we encourage you to consider late night trading close to Christmas, or extended trading hours throughout December to ensure you can make the most of this increased sales period.

We will provide your stores with special ‘holiday trading hours’ posters that you can display in your windows, while flyers will be distributed to 28,000 local homes to keep nearby residents informed about our Christmas offerings.

Camberwell on Canvas, Camberwell’s unique community art trail, returned this year as a physical experience. Designed to encourage visitation to the Burke Hill area of the precinct, it ran from October 18 – November 14 and showcased the talent of local artists through artworks hung in shop windows. Artists ranged from amateurs to professionals and we received excellent feedback. Thank you to the businesses in this area for supporting the event, particularly Aussie Home Loans for the competition prize and Natalie and her team at Helloworld who go above and beyond. A number of artworks were sold, much to the delight of local artists and customers.

Working with Camberwell Sunday Market

The Camberwell Traders’ Association is working more closely with the Camberwell Sunday Market to promote our stores to market visitors. On average, 8000 people attend the market every Sunday and it’s a huge opportunity to convert at least some of these people to stay and shop or return to shops at other times. Several special events have been run at the market with stores providing vouchers that were handed out to visitors, such as free coffee or special offers. If you’d like to contribute to future cross-promotional events, please let us know.

Our agreement with the market also ensures that customers have easy access to our shops on market days, and that the market doesn’t operate within 10 days of Christmas. Therefore, the last market day is Sunday, December 11, and will not return until January 8. With more parking and access during this time, businesses should consider extended trading hours to take advantage of this.

New car park sensors

Boroondara Council has completed installation of in-ground parking sensors within the Camberwell Junction precinct. Their goal is to ensure better turnaround for each parking space and improve parking availability by reducing the number of cars that overstay the time limit. This will allow more spaces to be readily available for residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors. The new technology will allow monitoring to be done remotely so they can address the busiest car parks if necessary, rather than regular patrols by officers. It will not change current controls, including existing time limits and how infringements are issued. The PayStay app is now available for visitors to use, allowing them to pay for and track their parking via their mobile phone.

Rubbish bins

The Camberwell Traders’ Association has asked Boroondara Council to help traders to understand and adhere to the rules regarding rubbish bins. Bins must be stored on your property when not out for collection and not left out indefinitely. It is vital we work together to keep our precinct clean and inviting. Please consider your neighbours and do the right thing.

Marketing calendar

What’s coming up?

DECEMBER

✓ Christmas promotions including the annual Where’s Rudolph? competition

✓ Christmas Family Day event (December 10)

✓ Christmas Day (December 25)

✓ Boxing Day (December 26)

✓ Summer school holidays (December 21 – January 27)

JANUARY

✓ New Year’s promotions

✓ Australia Day (January 26)

✓ Summer school holidays (December 21 – January 27)

✓ Back to school sales

FEBRUARY

✓ Valentine’s Day (February 14)

Networking events

Meet other traders, professionals and community members to share ideas and issues.

Join us for a fun night out full of amazing entertainment, a live DJ, giveaways and more.

Wednesday, December 14 | 5.30pm – 10.30pm Palace Hotel (upstairs), 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell

Tickets: $25 Buy tickets: camberwellshopping.com.au/party

THE CAMBERWELL BUSINESS CLUB

The Camberwell Business Club meets every Monday for lunch (from February to December), from 1pm – 2pm sharp, and features a guest speaker. It costs $25 for casual attendance or membership packages are available. It’s a great chance to get out of the (home) office and meet fellow business operators over a light lunch.

Details: camberwellbusinessclub.com.au

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE BUSINESSES

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

TRADER PORTAL

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

Shop news

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

BARREL & ROAST

8-10 Railway Pde

New to Camberwell Junction, Barrel & Roast is a cafe, lounge bar, and events space dedicated to bringing the very best coffee and barrel-aged cocktails to the local market.

BELLITE

Shop 16, Camberwell Arcade, 600-606 Burke Rd

Fashion boutique Bellite has relocated to a new store within the Camberwell Arcade. The shop now offers a wider selection of clothing, jewellery and accessories.

BOOST JUICE

Shop 1, Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd

Boost Juice has returned to Camberwell Junction precinct with a brand new store located in the laneway that connects Burke Rd to Camberwell Place shopping centre. Be sure to pop in for a juice or smoothie.

FRIDA’S SIP N’ PAINT

Shop 6A, 480 Riversdale Rd

Frida’s Sip n’ Paint has recently opened its studio in Camberwell Junction. Indulge your inner artist while you sip and paint the time away – perfect for a fun time out with friends!

LIFE READY PHYSIO + PILATES

Shop 1, 3 Prospect Hill Rd

Life Ready Physio + Pilates has moved from its previous location on Burke Rd to a new clinic on Prospect Hill Rd. The business still offers the same services including physiotherapy, remedial massage, clinical Pilates and gym rehabilitation programs.

OSCAR OSCAR SALONS 785 Burke Rd

Oscar Oscar Salons has opened in the heart of Camberwell Junction. Mention this ad to get an exclusive retailer offer of 25 per cent off hair services and enjoy a complimentary signature treatment in-salon. Valid Monday to Wednesday 9am – 5pm; Thursday and Friday 9am – 3pm. Not valid Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. To book, call (03) 9885 9848 or drop by the salon.

SEED ACCOUNTING

Shop 2, 791 Burke Rd

New to Camberwell Junction, Seed is a specialist accounting and advisory firm with a focus on people-based, technology-driven solutions to help you to succeed in business and in life.

THE ATHLETE’S FOOT

813 Burke Rd

Athletic footwear store The Athlete’s Foot has refurbished their Camberwell Junction store. To see the new store fit-out and to shop their excellent range, head in store today.

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

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

Column Financial Solutions 9859 8214

Milo Barkin Barrel & Roast 9603 0337

Amanda Lenny South Pacific Health Clubs 9882 8843

Brittany Unwin SC Accounting 88409 9188

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 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.

CONTACT US

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