Hendy Cowan

Hendy Cowan

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    Retailers urged to prepare now for Christmas trading

    17/10/2000 12:13 PM
     
    17/10/00

    Small business retailers are being urged to prepare early for pre-Christmas trading.

    Small Business Minister Hendy Cowan said that this year the Perth metropolitan Christmas trading period included the two Sundays before Christmas, plus extra late night trading on the Wednesday and Thursday before Christmas.

    Mr Cowan said small business retailers should review their stock levels, staffing, promotions, merchandising and finance to cater adequately for the retail trading period ahead.

    “Now is the time for the small business sector to decide upon - and finance - Christmas promotional activities including merchandising and advertising,” he said.

    “Retailers should consider where to store extra stock as well as ensuring it is adequately insured and secure.”

    He also encouraged small business operators to plan well in advance for staff recruitment and training to meet extended Christmas trading hours.

    “Don’t leave the hiring and training of staff too late,” Mr Cowan said.

    “Bad experiences with untrained Christmas casuals can have a long-term impact on customers.

    “It is important to adopt a ‘whole-of-year focus’ to training and not leave it until Christmas. It is just as important to train and inform casual staff, as well as permanent.

    “Given the extended Christmas trading hours for the metropolitan area, staff rosters should be prepared now and consideration given to the extra demands of after-hours restocking and cleaning duties.”

    For more information about the small business sector, check out the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) website at http://www.sbdc.com.au.

    Note:
    Christmas trading hours in the Perth metropolitan area are:
    Sunday, December 17 - noon to 6pm;
    Monday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 19 - normal;

    Wednesday, December 20 )
    Thursday, December 21 ) 8am - 9pm;
    Friday, December 22 )

    Saturday, December 23 - normal;
    Sunday, December 24 - noon to 6pm;
    Christmas Day and Boxing Day - closed.
    • Post-Christmas trading until New Year’s Eve is normal. Motor vehicle shops trading hours are as normal.

    Media contacts:

    Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222 9595
    Tracy Taggart (SBDC) 9220 0222