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Whilst Xmas is all but upon us the retail sector is still hurting, shopping malls are crowded but there are simply no shopping bags in hands.
A recent survey done in WA showed that a large percentage of traffic in shopping malls are school kids, trades persons and mums with prams.
The drive for sales by the car manufacturers has had a resounding effect on the disposable dollar over the past 3-5 months with record car sales nationally. Zero percent comparison rates are pretty hard to beat.
Also a huge push by Apple and Samsung on new phones and tablets is eating away at the dollar that we have relied on for so long.
The new Google based cameras have so far been a complete flop and one wonders will this trend in design continue?
Margins are squeezed even tighter than ever as retailers panic to move stocks due to over ordering.
Manufacturers releasing new products, yet unable to deliver stocks until the end of the Christmas rush or in such limited numbers only makes us the retailers look incompetent.
If anyone thought we missed the impact of the GFC then hold on, as we are well and truly feeling the impact now.
The Federal Government struggles to fund programs all the while turning a blind eye to the millions in Tax avoidance from overseas imports.
Consumers buying online is only going to make the retail economy even tougher, so hold on tight there is light at the end of the tunnel, it may only be a little flicker but with some of the products coming I can see it getting brighter by the day.
Regards
Murray Gibbs (Gerry Gibbs Camera House, WA)
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Murray, agreed then add the impact here in Queensland, the new government sacking 12k staff and the resulting huge drop in consumer confidence that is being experienced especially in the CBD.
A large part of our base is public servants (1000+ on our email data base), either they have been sacked, think they will be sacked or have seen their work mates sacked.
Business is now crazy busy with very needy customers and with Hughie and others not guarantying supply by Christmas, that is good and will continue to grow, thank God for online, for us.
Cheers Phil (Phil Gresham, Fotofast Qld)
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A very clear synopsis of the current trends.
As a self funded old bastard the reduction in super held in stocks and the lowered returns on money held in cash is making the biggest and fastest growing consumer group hold onto their money.
They are no longer time and money rich.
I wish I could see the silver lining under the cloud!
But wait there is!
We could be in Spain
Or Italy where 1 million were added to the out of work in the last 12 months alone, and youth unemployment is running at 35%
It's only the rich mining boom that is keeping this government out of the poo! (for now-Ed)
I wish you a safe and healthy Christmas.
I hope for all our sakes that Canberra can pull a rabbit out of the hat!
Robbo
Sent from my sun lounge. | 
