1. 42 NEWS thesundaymail.com.au
Bulking up on bargains
Kelmeny Fraser under less strain than other
Consumer affairs
FRUGAL shoppers are buying
Shoppers load their trolleys with sale items retail sectors.
Ingrid Just, spokeswoman
for consumer group Choice,
in bulk at rates not seen in tive of grocery wholesaler ‘‘The Global Financial Crisis ness of the great value being quantities of discount goods at warned that shoppers should
years, filling their trolleys with Metcash, owner of IGA. has obviously heightened con- delivered through pro- its Crestmead warehouse to still remember to check the
six times the quantity of dis- Shoppers striving to cut sumers’ concerns about their motional prices and they are keep up with demand. unit price to make sure they
counted grocery items. grocery bills have driven the financial position and they are stocking up at record levels.’’ National Retailers Associ- were getting a good deal.
That compares with two trend, but greater competition looking for real value,’’ Mr He said the extreme ation executive director Gary The Westpac-Melbourne
years ago when the average among retailers is also a factor. Reitzer said. weather earlier this year and Black said while vigorous Institute Index of Consumer
shopper would double the Last year, discounted stock ‘‘In addition, the intense people stockpiling food had competition between the Sentiment reported a 2.6 per
amount they would normally made up 20 per cent of all price competition among IGA also played a part in the trend. major supermarkets had cent fall this month.
buy because it was on sale, said goods being sold at IGA. It is and the national chains has The retail chain has been raised the number of special
Andrew Reitzer, chief execu- now almost 50 per cent. heightened customers’ aware- forced to stockpile larger promotions, the sector was fraserk@qnp.newsltd.com.au
JWC_CWA0004_1S_SMQ
Fresh player: Artist’s
impression of a new
Masters outlet.
here’s to Discounters in
paying through rush to fill gap
Kelmeny Fraser
AS HUNDREDS of jobs
for new retailers to come
in,’’ he said.
US discount warehouse
the nose
disappear with the col- chain Costco will open a
lapse of several major Queensland store in the
retailers, new discount next two years, with North
stores are poised to swoop Lakes, north of Brisbane,
on shoppers’ dollars. one site being considered.
More than 1300 new Members must sign up
retail positions in to access its warehouse,
Queensland will be cre- where shoppers can find
ated in the next three items ranging from electri-
years as new chain stores cal goods to food.
prepare to move in and Swedish furniture re-
existing brands pursue tailer Ikea will open its
aggressive growth plans. second Queensland store
even if it does have
It comes as hundreds of at North Lakes after buy-
Queensland workers hunt ing a 60,000sq m site from
for new jobs after the Westfield.
closure of bookstores Bor- Shoppers are expected
a lovely aroma ders and Angus & Robert-
son, plus retailer Colorado.
As some herald the end
to be the winners in a
major hardware battle
from late this year when
of the shopping centre mall the new Masters chain
format, CB Richard Ellis opens.
retail services regional di- Stores are under con-
rector Joshua Loudoun struction at Tingalpa,
said it was more a part of Morayfield, Nerang and
the continual evolution of Springfield, and more are
retail. planned.
‘‘When brands leave it
just creates opportunities fraserk@qnp.newsltd.com.au
Bali
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here’s to
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Enjoy wine responsibly
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Page 42 JUNE 26 2011
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