In retail trade, local effect always multiplies

THE flexibility and ease of shopping online is a luxury I take advantage of too often.

Finding a carpark, dodging other foot traffic and having to wait in line are some of the excuses I find to justify just “googling” what I need.

Australia’s worsening retail climate is a story that made headlines most of last week after Jeanswest announced it had gone into receivership.

I understood online shopping was a contributing factor to big brands closing, but seeing the retail landscape described as a “bloodbath” and an “apocalypse” paints a dire picture of retail’s future.

The advice “shop local” has always floated in the back of my mind when clicking “proceed to payment” on my online shopping cart.

But I naively thought buying online from Rebel Sport or Witchery was supporting the shop local initiative.

It appears I was wrong.

While all online sales support the brand or chain on a national scale, the retail store misses out on the direct economic impact.

The store doesn’t just miss out on the sale, it misses out on the opportunity to show the consumer what customer service means.

I worked part-time in retail while studying journalism and I remember the countless hours of customer service training all employees endured.

Looking back now, I attribute my ability to connect with people to providing that customer service experience and taking a genuine interest in helping others find what they’re searching for.

We should all make a conscious effort to shop local and support our community so we don’t continue to lose stores each time the retail spending figures are published.

More than 62,000 people will live in Mildura by 2036, according to the latest population report, so we must make sure we turn retail challenges into opportunities so those residents have somewhere to work and shop.