Sydney
Level 6, 92 Pitt StSydney NSW 2000
(02) 9232 1678
Melbourne
Level 19, Como Tower644 Chapel StSouth Yarra VIC 3141
(03) 9823 6233
Latest News
Specialty Fashion could axe 120 stores
Retailer Specialty Fashion Group says its Christmas 2011 sales were down on 2010 and warns if the retail trading conditions don't change it will cut back its 900-strong store network.
Aldi tops satisfaction ranking
All four Australian supermarket brand shave increased their customer satisfaction ratings in the six months to November.
Aldi tops satisfaction ranking
All four Australian supermarket brand shave increased their customer satisfaction ratings in the six months to November.
Women's activewear brand Lorna Jane will become the first retailer to launch a new kind of interactive Facebook initiative in-store, next month.
Country Road predicts tough times
Country Road chairman Simon Susman has announced he expects the 2012 trading environment to remain challenging, despite opportunities for further growth.
Ikea opened its Southern Hemisphere flagship in the Sydney suburb of Tempe today.
Fashion & Retail Employee Staff Turnover
The results of the latest Trak and Scarlett Recruitment “Fashion and Retail Employee Staff Turnover Analysis Report” shows some disturbing facts about what’s currently happening in Australia.
Retail in the USA (2) - How technology will change customer expectations
For most Australian retailers it’s pretty tough out there at present. Headlines continue to talk about shoppers spending more online with some retailers adding they will bring back the theatre needed to make people walk in the door. Today’s article reviews a presentation by Cisco and highlights how technology has changed consumer communication and what the millennial generation (born 1977 to 1998) expect from the bricks and mortar stores of the future – using technology to create or add to the “theatre”.
Adventurewear retailer leaves retail giants red-faced
Kathmandu has stunned market this morning revealing a 26.3 per cent boost in Australian sales in the year to July 31.
Myer to offer free shipping online
Myer will launch free shipping to customers who prefer to shop online, Fairfax reports today.
Ermenegildo Zegna opens in Australia
Ermenegildo Zegna has opened a new Flagship Store in Sydney Australia.
Retail in the USA – An Overview
Last month I set out on another Westfield global retail study tour with the first stops being San Francisco and Chicago. As many of you have asked my view on what’s happening in USA retail, I have summarised my thoughts below. In summary, rapid change is happening in a number of areas including store size, efficiencies, technology & sales channels. The value of an outstanding shopping experience was also evident.
Colorado to close a third of stores
Colorado Group looks set to close a third of its stores across all five of its brands under a proposal tabled by its receivers today (June 14).
Oracle Retail World Awards finalists revealed
A broad mixture of finalists have been named in the inaugural Oracle Retail Awards to be announced on June 27.
Seduce is marking its 20th year in business by throwing its weight behind an initiative to support up-and-coming designers.
Woolies confirms home improvement name
Woolworths and Lowe's new home improvement chain will be called Masters.
Recruitment Trends in Retail and Fashion - April 2011
Whilst most retailers and fashion houses are doing it pretty tough, the job scene is certainly picking up. For both Trak Recruiting and Scarlett Recruitment, the last 2 months have been our busiest for some time and I predict that as the year goes on, the trend to make changes to the senior team will be on the rise.
Fast food co's see improvements
Restaurant Brands recorded a 26 per cent rise to $25.1 million in full year net profit, excluding non-trading items, with most of the rise due to good performance by the KFC brand.
Zara will open its first store in Australia on April 20, at Westfield Sydney shopping centre in the Pitt St Mall.
Another 16 Borders stores axed
The administrators of RedGroup will close 16 Borders stores over the next eight weeks, leaving just nine stores carrying the brand in Australia.
The first 9 weeks of 2011 have seen nearly all of the retailers I’ve spoken to declare life is pretty tough at present. I’ve also been involved in many discussions about their view on the current Australian (or in fact global) retail scene and how it could change in the future...
Employee attitude impacts on results for Kmart. Recruiting right is the first step.
As we complete the first month of 2011 and January sales come to a close, it is interesting to ponder what the year ahead will be like for Australian retailers.
Cotton On has pledged to raise $1,000,000 for Queensland's flood victims, the latest apparel retailer to sign on to help mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.
IGA ships vital supplies to flood zones
IGA retailers in Queensland are working to keep the residents of flood affected areas supplied with food and other essential items throughout one of the state’s most devastating natural disasters.
Two retail chains buck profit trend
In a retail sector dominated by sales slumps and profit warnings, two trans-Tasman retail chains have heralded a boost in profits this week.
Oroton outlines international plans
High-spending and accessory-loving Asian consumers are key to Oroton Group's 2010/11 retail strategy, the company has revealed.
Calvin Klein Jeans grabs Crown
Calvin Klein Jeans has included Melbourne in a global rollout strategy spanning Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Unit pricing progress: 'not good enough' says ACCC
One year after its mandating, unit pricing has had a good take-up by major supermarkets - but online traders and small and independent supermarkets subject to the code have more to do to comply, says a review.
Australian retail sales rose up 2.8 per cent in October against the same month last year.
No Christmas sales miracle, says ARA
Australian Christmas season retail sales should hit $39.9 billion, the Australian Retailers Association predicts today.
Westfield Asian Express Study Tour - China (Part 1)
If you’re currently sourcing product from China, especially if it’s out of Shanghai, be warned your cost of goods could be about to double.
Westfield Asian Express Study Tour - China (Part 2)
While China has always been thought of as a great producer of goods, the growth of their economy and increasing middle class sees them as also very much a consumer. Many international retailers are expanding their mainland China presence and reaping the benefits.
Coles has lowered their prices for hundreds of health and beauty products to encourage spring make over shopping for health and wellness products.
Victor Churchill Gathers Accolades
The winners of The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Shopping Guide Awards for 2011 have been announced and Victor Churchill has taken out top gong for Best Retail Experience plus two additional awards, Best Takeaway and Best Butchers and Poulterers.
Metalicus Makes New Retail Move
MELBOURNE: Metalicus has opened its first store devoted solely to 'Move by Metalicus', its high performance sportswear range.
SYDNEY: Specialty Fashion Group has sold its womenswear brand Queenspark to private investors for $5.5 million.
Nearly half of Australia’s leading franchise businesses outperformed the broader economy over the last 12 months, growing by more than eight per cent, more than double the recorded three per cent GDP, and generating a minimum 15 per cent profit, according to the results from the annual Franchisor CEO Survey by leading franchise consulting firm, DC Strategy.
Give Your Business the Same Competitive Advantage as Wesfarmers!
At a recent business lunch I attended, Richard Goyder the Managing Director of Wesfarmers was asked: “You’ve got the old Coles group and Bunning’s, you’ve got coal mines, fertilizer and chemical companies, even an insurance business. What business are Wesfarmers actually in”?
Online Boom Predicted for Xmas
Nearly half of all Australians will buy at least some Christmas presents online this year. And almost one in five will buy all their presents from virtual stores, according to research from online retailer OO.com.au.
Westfield Study Tour - A Case Study in the Importance of Company Culture: The Container Store.
For those of you who don’t know them, The Container Store (TCS) started in 1978 with a store in Dallas and claims to be “the original storage and organisation store”. They say they sell products (over 10,000 of them) that will simplify your life - kind of like a giant Howard’s Storage. Today they have 49 stores (2,500 square metres each) across 17 states and turnover half a billion dollars.
Westfield Retail Study Tour 2010 - Part 2 (Japan)
In my last report I gave an overview of some of the fascinating trends I saw in Japan. Today I’d like to talk of 4 specific things I saw that I believe will become part of the Australian retail scene in the not too distant future – a new way of buying the fruit and vegies, some over the top Pet and Hairdresser retailing in an eco friendly mall, and 2 juggernauts you will hear about - Rakuten and Uniqlo.
Zara Confirms Australian Entry
Zara parent Inditex, has finally publicly confirmed plans to enter the Australian market.
Grocery wholesaler Metcash will purchase the struggling Franklins supermarket chain in a deal worth $125 million.
Harvey Norman Buys Clive Peeters
Electrical and whitegoods retailer Clive Peeters, which is in voluntary administration, has agreed to sell stock and plant equipment and other items to Harvey Norman Holdings for $55 million.
Ugg Australia boots have been given a makeover in the name of charity.
Solo Store Launch for Lingerie Giant
SYDNEY: The operators behind Australia's first Victoria's Secret store have set the record straight on rumours of additional store openings.
New Study Tracks Changes in the Australian Grocery Shopper
Australian consumers are currently spending more or the same on groceries than last year, can be swayed by well-placed advertising and prefer to shop in larger centres for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), according to new research commissioned by mall media provider Eye Shop. Over 400 shoppers took part in the January survey, with respondents separated into a range of lifestyle stages: Young Person, Young Couples, Young Families, Older Families and Older Couples. A key finding of the study was...
2010 Product of the Year Awards
Winners of the 2010 Product of the Year Awards - an annual consumer survey of product innovation in the FMCG market - have now been announced. Product of the Year is open to all FMCG products launched in Australia over the past 18 months. Products should demonstrate innovation in one or more areas, including (but not limited to) design, function, marketing and packaging. This year’s winners in the food and Beverage categories are: Alcohol: Baileys with a hint of Coffee Chocolate Confectionery...
Retail and Recruitment Trends Around the Globe. Part 1 - Japan
16 days, 5 cities, over 50 presentations, travelling with 48 retail savvy participants, lots to hear and see, plenty of laughs, a bit too much to drink and not enough sleep! That’s my 30 second summary of this year’s retail study tour.
It was March 1st, 1995 when I opened the doors of Trak Recruiting. To mark this occasion I have put together a few words about our story so far.
Separate the Sheep from the Goats in 2010!
Having been bought up on some acres at Baulkham Hills, I was lucky enough to own a number of pet goats and realise they are so much smarter than sheep. But regardless of your preference the concept remains the same – separate the good from the ordinary.
Retail Survey June 09 - Key findings
Having surveyed over 200 retail companies I believe the following results give a great view of what's happening today in Australian retail. Many thanks to those who completed our most recent retail survey, without your contribution (the details of which always remain confidential) we wouldn't be able to produce the following data...
"Economy shows signs of nearing bottom of cycle" #1
Did you know that the Australian Stock market has just experienced its biggest 3 week gain in 21 years? #2
2009 – Why the smart companies are hiring quality staff NOW!
It’s hard not to get caught up with the doom and gloom the media keeps portraying, but in terms of your Recruitment and Retention strategy it’s a time of opportunity...
The ideal of lengthy, considered and purely rational decision making is not only unattainable but unworkable, says Dr Ken Hudson. You’ve got to keep the emotion in.
Is there a Simple Formula to Getting the Best Retail Staff on your Shop Floor - and Keeping Them?
A number of presenters highlighted diverse approaches to staff recruitment, training and remuneration in the US...
Forget Gen Y, mature workers will drive future productivity
If employers want to ensure their survival past 2012, they should forget about Generation Y and focus on attracting, retaining and maximising the productivity of mature-age workers...
Freeing up labour flows crucial to productivity
Labour in Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region should be progressively freed up by 2020, according to the initial report of the Australia 2020 Summit....
Staff turnover rising despite pay hikes
Queensland and WA appear to be largely unaffected by a cooling economy...
Full-time and part-time jobs still rising
Jobs growth continues...
Employers and recruiters are fighting what is quite aptly called a 'war for talent'...
Large-scale study finds Gen Y no different to any other group
Rather than being a distinct, homogenous group, Generation Ys are simply a product of their age and the stage of life they are going through,,,
Attracting, Retaining & Engaging Your Staff
An 'employer of choice' organisation is recognised for treating its employees exceptionally well...
High quality can beat the credit crisis
By Richard Milne Luxury goods group are traditionally hit hard by economic downturns...
Half the Australian workforce "fell into" their jobs: Survey
More than half of the Australian workforce is in unplanned and often unsatisfying careers...
Australian job surge continues whilst NZ eases
Employment rose strongly again in April by nearly 50,000 jobs, pushing the Australian unemployment rate down 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.4%...
RCSA says Budget is good for skills and employment
The RCSA has welcomed funding increases for training programs outlined in the recent Federal Budget, saying they go "a long way to addressing the skills shortages facing Australian employers"...
Average turnover jumps to 12.6%
The Australian Institute of Management 2007 National Salary Survey shows that average staff turnover has reached 12.6%...
A Rudd Labor Government was elected on 24 November 2007, campaigning on the key plank of substantially amending the workplace laws of the former Coalition Government, including WorkChoices.
Developing and training leaders critical
The biggest challenge facing organisations in the next 15 years will be to develop and retain leaders...
Employers still dropping the ball with careers sites
A new analysis of the careers sites of Australia's top 150 companies shows that the majority are well behind world best practice standards.
Salaries up 4.1 per cent in past year and stabilising
Salaries increased 4.1 per cent over the past 12 months, but growth is slowing.
Measuring ROI of your employer brand program
With the increasing global awareness of the benefits of developing your employer brand to attract, engage and retain talent it is critical...
What to do when CV fraud is detected
CV fraud is becoming increasingly common but there are a range of steps employers can take once it is discovered...
How do you rate at selecting the right staff?
"All Management know how to interview for new staff" - Right or Wrong?...
'Induction' key to lifting staff retention
International HR and recruitment expert, Keven Wheeler recently detailed the 5 crucial fundamentals of successful induction programs...
Older Workers favoured for skills & experience
According to many recruiters, placement of older workers is on the rise and the trend has not just been driven by skills shortages.....
Casual workers more likely to be injured than permanent employees
A new report released recently says casual workers face higher safety risks than permanent employees...
