Month: January 2021

Several newsagents have contacted me re a shortage of masks for store staff. My advice is if you are in a marketing group, check with them urgently as they are likely to have suppliers with mask stock. I know from a newsXpress perspective there are six with stock of disposables well as reusable masks. newsXpress itself hold stock for emergency supply too.

This move makes sense given recent developments. watch for an announcement from Reed.

A colleague shared this with me yesterday …

BORDER CLOSURES ARE CRIPPLING BORDER COMMUNITIES.

BORDER COMMUNITIES EITHER CLOSED, SERIOUSLY DISRUPTED OR RESTRICTED FOR 38 WEEKS

I call on all State and Federal Governments to have a nationwide plan of action to deal with small COVID outbreaks in the future other than to just close borders with neighbouring states, the biggest impact of closing borders is to once again negatively impact small regional communities who are bearing the brunt of these decisions unnecessarily.

Border communities have just become punching bags caught in the political crossfire of city centric politicians. Politicians on both sides of our river are making decisions with no consideration of the economic and social impact that this is having on our communities whilst hiding behind the rhetoric of protecting the majority, who happen to live in our larger cities.

Depression and anxiety are being exacerbated by the ongoing uncertainty of Border closures. Our families and communities are now experiencing extreme hardship and there is no end in sight. Our community has faced too many barriers over 38 weeks, and we are not getting the support or attention we need.

On the 31^st December 2020 at 3pm, the Victorian Government announced a hard border closure to NSW. More than 3,000 tourists had to pack up and flee our small town to make it over the Border before midnight. Millions of dollars in revenue were lost from our community overnight and not least of all many families annual holiday was stripped from them with very little consideration of the impact this will have on these families who have had significant imposts placed on their freedoms for the majority of this 2020.

We are only 6 days into 2021 and already our business has suffered a 55% reduction in sales for the same period last year, whilst much resilience has been shown by many businesses in 2020 the most frustrating part of this latest situation is that it has been created by a poorly considered  government decision.

Local communities and businesses have been extremely resilient and creative to ensure their survival, it is now time for all levels of state and federal Governments to step up and show some real leadership on this matter, not just play popularity politics.

With interstate travel restricted and visitor traffic limited, It is no wonder some suppliers are cancelling or re-thinking plans to participate in the trade shows next month.

I’d normally attend with 30 or 40 colleagues. None are attending. In my own case, the prospect of a 14 day quarantine requirement being lifted by then are slim, certainly good doubtful to risk making all of the necessary arrangements.

Smart suppliers have virtual plans in place. Some have already engaged and are pitching what they would otherwise have launched in February. Those without a contingency plan will miss out on business.

Even if you can get to the show, the value for supplies looks likely to be compromised with reduced numbers allowed on each stand. Several suppliers have raised this with me this week – saying the restrictions make attending uneconomic for them.

These are not unique challenges for Australia. It is major trade show season for toys, gifts, gave and related products in the US, UK, Hong Kong and China. Almost every trade show event is focussed on virtual engagement.

It is kinda surprising that Reed and AGHA proceed as they did. Some other major Aussie trade shows in this first quarter decided to go virtual.

Anti-maskers tend to be loud and rude in retail, on to of being ignorant.

I’ll shop where I want. You can’t make me wear a mask, said the thirty-something shopper who was asked to leave for not wearing a mask. Go fuck yourself loser, they said as they stormed out.

I shouldn’t have to wear a mask, they are uncomfortable, said the sixty or seventy-something shopper. When asked leave, they retorted, this is the last time I shop here. This was in Victoria yesterday, where masks in shops are mandated by law.

It’s a hoax, it’s all a hoax, masks are a joke, they want you to choke. The person shouting this at the entrance to the shop was wearing a bandage as if to hide their identity but not and a mask. They were going from shop to shop shouting this.

Don’t shop here. It’s run by a Nazi who demands we wear masks. Freedom! This is a sign stick on the front window os a small local shop.

Every attack hurts the business and those who work in the business.

During the second wave in Victoria I heard of some attacks. I have heard of many more in the last week, from Sydney and from Melbourne situations.

The worst situations are the attacks at the counter on retail staff. In one of my own shops this happened yesterday. It was loud and nasty. It impacted the team member it was directed at.

Anti-maskers are selfish in my view and either out to cause trouble or they are ignorant.

Masks have been proven to work. They keep us safe and those we are in contact with safe. In retail especially they are critical is reducing the opportunity for infection, and that is key in Melbourne and Sydney right now.

Anti-maskers are making working in retail more stressful right now. The harm they are causing is significant. I suspect this is what they want.

Retailers in shopping centres can call security, but they often arrive too late.

I’d kinda like to spray them with a bright dye that tags them as an ignorant anti-masker, but I know I can’t. Doing so would be irrational and I kinda want to match their irrational approach to masks with an irrational response. At least the dye would not harm them physically.

Here in Victoria in my own shops we have regularly posted positive mask related messages on social media, appreciating the commitment of customers. However, it only takes 1 in 500 to be a dickhead and cause disruption and hurt in the shop for that to be remembered ahead of plenty of good experiences.