I have never read such a load of BS. The ABS obviously is selective of who they talk to. I have one service industry store and have run this business since 1992, last December was the worst trading December I can remember or prove with sales figures.
I believe the auther and the ABS are commpletely out of contact with reality.

I work with a lot of independent Retailers around Australia, and own a 34 year old business myself. I have heard of only 1 that was up last financial year, but had a dog Christmas. Mine was 25% down on last years... a record low of over 10 years, the "so called Global financial crisis" left my top 50 customers: 1 mill lost in super, 1/2 a mill for many, 70% of one's portfolio, a number meant to be retired in their "plan" by now, but now can't, many husbands made redundant, traffic flow all time low across Australia, price checking & justifying purchases, when prior never was... consolidating staff, buying less, Suppliers feeling the squeeze... A lot of Apparel Suppliers are still owed payments by hundreds of Retailers for last Summer's stock deliveries.... & if you don't like the "increased margins" by the retailers, talk to the Government about our import tax & 1/11th we need to pay for GST!
Peter, I suggest you go have a "chat" with your local shop keepers!
Elle

I think the ABS is a load of BS and should be canned. They appear to select there figures from those that claim to have done well. It is financed by Government and the gov want the best promoted to make them look good. It is called selective reporting. Just like climate change, The Gov do not show both sides of the story. It was the worst Christmass trade in 10 years for me.

Quoting ABS figures Peter is akin to saying everyone is Melbourne thinks and acts the same- obviously not right. So why would you think that broad brush stats translate to fact for every type of retailing. Its a slop of figures. The truth is as Patricia says to be found by digging into the figures. Which areas are and are not working, is it sustainable, is it linked to other sectors, where are the ops. Retail is alot about the way consumers think and feel,get spooked, feel elated etc The best sevice actually won't up the figures as this is what customers equate as 'meeting their expectations', and they still will want it exceeded, as is human nature. Also want the price to be the best etc etc, nothing new here. The challenge is to be creative to deliver a mix of it all. When will the commentators actually put their 'great expertise' to the real test and offer some suggestions other than all the stock standard classroom ones tossed around that real retailers play with all the time.

Do you or ABS really talk to all retailers I bet you dont I have not had ABS in my store for more than 5 years I have 2 stores and have had since 1999 and this was one of the worst christmases I have seen
All my reps that are Sydney based are all saying their sales are down
If their sales are down then Retailers in the Kitchenware Giftware are not buying How come Meyer went into panic mode and reduced stock as it arrived I think its time to stop blaming and work on customer loyality and SERVICE My experience with Freedom and Harvey Norman Is Nil service and this was over a period of 6 months of visiting both stores