Europeans are used to towns closing down for summer and plenty in China are used to it too when factories and businesses close for Chinese New Year. But I don’t get why my favourite coffee shop is closed today and for the next couple of weeks.
It’s a competitive world with other coffee shop options – so competitive that I thought this year they would stay open to stop their regulars discovering better coffee elsewhere.
This is the risk all retailers face if they are in a situation where they can close – as opposed to being in a shopping mall where you can’t close.
While a break could benefit everyone including the family at the heart of the business, shoppers are not as loyal today. In small business especially I think we are better off NOT giving our customers a reason to shop elsewhere. Tough as it is, being there when they want and need us is small business retail 101.
I have found an alternative coffee shop. They have a four-shot monster latte that is amazing. Flying…
Maybe the reality of recent events has made them realise that family are more important than profit.
Carol, I agree with Mark – retailers should be open to trade whenever the trading hours allow us to.
We have the farcical late night trading (last night) until 9pm and I am in a lovely leafy centre and the night was perfect. (I am situated on the square where there is a coffee shop and people sit outside under the vines but the vendor closed at 5pm and I stayed open but the ambiance was gone and the people stayed away.
I stayed until stumps for no good sales just a dribble all night but the customers are now confused – is the centre open or not.
I think centres should be able to “request”
that all retailers observe the opening hours.
As it is now – it is a joke. Some opening,
some not and those of us who are open being subjected to abuse by customers who are angry that they have made a trip to the centre for nothing.
Are other centres the same??????
I’ve been out of my own retail business for a few years now and working in a small family owned appliance spare parts setup.
I’m not working today, they are closed !!
Apparently our general manager has decided that we as workers should not have to put up with the abuse that follows when we tell a customer we don’t have a part and won’t be able to fix their fridge before Christmas.
WTH ????
Staff should be well able to cope with any aggression on the counter.
It is our job to serve the customer if we want to keep them. No others in our area are closed so we will no doubt lose some support next year.
When I questioned him yesterday, the owner of the business told me it was the GMs decision, although he did think he was the Boss.
No matter, I’ll go and mow the lawns.
I hope all you ppl out there in retail have a great day and do enjoy it as best you can.
Customers make our day and do deserve our respect
Have fun ppl 🙂
June at Westfield centres everyone is open. It’s a lease requirement.
Our centre is a joke – Sundays only half
the shops open and it is totally confusing
for the customer.
It drives me nuts.
No matter – Xmas Eve and all is well with
the world (for the minute).
We have two days off (long service leave in our industry) and I have 9 gorgeous grandchildren – 3 of whom are working with me today (15,16 and 17).
How lucky can one person be.
My own 6 children all worked in our business (funnily enough they have all left and gone on to bigger and better things but that’s ok)
I listen to my grandies at the counter and think I must have done some things right because my customers are delighted to be
served by them and their customer skills are great.
Best wishes to everyone for Xmas and hope you all have a well deserved rest.
Whether shops are open or closed lets all remember that money cannot buy the important things in life
Merry xmas to everyone
June. I am in a main street and small town
and no one else opens over xmas, Boxing Day. Most years only one motel restaurant has opened for Christmas Diner but this year absolutely every eating house is closed and there will be visitors to our town wanting food. I am glad I am not in a shopping centre or have a lease. My business is for sale if you want o open when you like. Our annual “holiday” is the next two days and I would not open for a million dollars when I have my precious children and new baby visiting.
I look forward to shutting my doors at 530 today and enjoying the next two days with family.
Our centre is open Boxing Day but I see no need to open my shop, customers just come here for more food ??? and more crap (Big W sales).
One of my favourite cafés is closing for two weeks as is our favourite restaurant but good luck too them, they have young families, and hospitality is a hard game.
If I could shut my shop till after New Year I certainly would!
We are in a Westfield and the whole food court was closed early along with a large percentage of other shops. Outside of the core hours it is not a requirement to open to our knowledge.
With the extended trading it does leave the mall with a less than ideal retail atmosphere with the shops closed, but they must feel that there is no profit in opening these extra hours.
As for after Christmas, I am all for a week off, sadly it won’t happen.