GABBY Cox has more fizz about her than a soft drink – and it is little wonder why.
In spite of a succession of crippling lockdowns over the past 15 months, her ladieswear business on Langtree Avenue has gone “gangbusters”.
Through an explosion in online sales and local consumer support, Karma Kameleon – launched by Ms Cox in 2004 – has grown to the point where she’s opened a new warehouse and studio out the back of her Mildura business to cater for the increased demand.
There was one key reason, she said, for the initial spike in sales after the first lockdown.
“We had the sort of produce that was in demand: leisurewear,” Ms Cox reflected shortly before this week’s latest lockdown hammer blow to businesses.
“Because everyone was working from home, they still wanted to look and feel stylish – and they wanted something new to lift themselves up. Clothing can do that.
“So as soon as we reopened, it was just boom time. It was so amazing.
“We had our best six months ever after we reopened. It was like Christmas every day.”
Ms Cox, who has another “KK” store in Byron Bay, said the cash register was still running hot into this year as more tourists flocked to Mildura.
However, she said the improved turnover was also coming from local shoppers, who were “consciously” supporting local retail and hospitality businesses.
The owner of Sunglass City Mildura, located in Langtree Mall, echoed Ms Cox’s comments earlier this week.
“I agree with Gabby on the shop-local thing being massive since we opened up from last year’s lockdowns,” Josh Southwell said.
“We’ve also noticed more people are travelling to regional centres like Mildura, which has been great for our local economy.
“Also, it’s been great to see local traders grow much closer over the past year, sharing a lot more information and being more supportive of each other.”
Cam Tilley said his family-owned furniture and homewares business, Tilley’s Furniture, had enjoyed a bumper year since the first lockdown.
“We never closed when COVID hit. It was slow for us in the first few weeks of the first lockdown, but we quickly turned the corner and our business went gangbusters after then,” Mr Tilley said before the government announced the state’s fourth lockdown on Thursday.
“May and June last year were absolutely massive for us.
“We’re only just starting to come off the boil from those highs now.”
