Member Insight Judds Yarrawonga My retail journey began over 25 years ago on my 18th birthday when the Judd family offered me a full time position in their menswear store. I had deferred from an arts course and had loved design and sewing in school. Working in retail seemed like a good fit. Over my years with Judds Wangaratta I was lucky enough to work in an open and transparent environment which allowed me to learn all aspects of the business. Over the next 10 years I worked in menswear, womenswear and helped to establish their workwear, uniform and embroidery business. I really valued the opportunities to learn and my passion for business was ignited. I loved retail, from the buying phase, to merchandising and displays and serving my customers. While I thoroughly enjoyed the creative side of retail and still do, it’s my happy place, I loved the thrill of buying right and selling hard. 15 years ago my husband and I were keen to buy a business of our own. While I was the “nervous nelly” he was the one who had faith and gave me the push needed to step out and give it go. Together with Nick & Mary Ann Judd we bought into a well established, long standing Mensland business in Yarrawonga. It had really great bones and I was excited by this new challenge. Over the next 3 months I got to know the area, the customers and the demographics of my new audience. It was a good business and I was keen to understand what consumers wanted and needed. Although Yarrawonga was only 50kms from Wangaratta the demographics were very different. This was my first real lesson in business. Know your demographics and your target audience. Yarrawonga is a small rural town set on the banks of the beautiful Lake Mulwala. With a population of around 10,000 that expands to nearly 30,000 in the peak summer tourist season. The area is famous for it’s water sports, golf and relaxed environment. Being a tourist town does exclude us from many of the challenges that come with operating a business in a small country town. For 9 months of the year we have a new audience, relaxed consumers on holidays, with the time to wander and spend and a very full calendar of tourist events to keep us busy.
Michelle Clarke Retail Manager JUDDS YARRAWONGA
Over the past 15 years I have grown the business to now include womens and children’s wear, workwear, uniforms, embroidery and printing. We are the typical country style department store keen to showcase current trends, a mix of popular brands and “added margin’ product with a real focus on customer service and repeat business.
YARRAWONGA, NSW
FrontLine UPFRONT | EOFY 2021
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