The rejuvenation of Adelaide based Harris Scarfe includes Myer’s new management buying four department stores. Two of the stores are at Doncaster and Forest Hill Victoria with two in Adelaide.

Myer will also buy a 20% stake in Harris Scarfe as part of the deal, with private equity firm Momentum Investment Group taking a controlling stake in Harris Scarfe and its management team retaining a 15 per cent stake.

Robert Atkins who remains as managing director, says the deal clears Harris Scarfe’s debt, incurred in purchasing the business from the receivers in 2001 and allows them to expand in other directions. No doubt Momentum hopes that Atkin’s team can reinvigurate the retailer in a similar story to the one unfolding at Myer.

Myer’s new owners, Newbridge Capital consortium (US private equity group Texas Pacific and the Myer family with 8%) have already announced stunning sucesses with Myer, through a range of management decisions such as:-

• Consolidation of the Supply Chain system into just a few central warehouses.
• Elimination of storage areas and refurbishing of retail space
• Slashing Old Stock
• Reducing overall stock by streamlining supply.
• Buying more goods direct from China and cutting out the middle man
• Reducing staff costs from reducing stock handling.
• Reducing staff costs by re-rostering of retail staff to suit key retailing hours.
• Tightening their goods return policy to reduce fraud.

Myer plans to grow in new directions that would also compete with Target and Kmart, Harvey Norman and speciality retailing chain stores.

With a federal election looming in 2007, nearly half of small businesses are dissatisfied with the Federal Government’s contribution to the development of small business in Australia, according to the latest MYOB Australian Small Business Survey.

Overall, 44% of small businesses perceived the Federal Government’s contribution to be poor (i.e., ‘very poor’ and ’somewhat poor’), a figure that has remained consistent over the past year.

Interest Rates and Red tape (BAS reporting, GST and Occupational Health and Safety requirements) were the main concerns. See the full MYOB press release.

“These figures suggest a sharp contrast between the Federal Government’s position as the ‘government for small business’ and the perception of the Federal Government among business owners, since 73% of respondents did not think that the Federal or State Government is doing enough to reduce the red tape burden on business.

With big business, (who are clearly the enemy of small business) still being allowed to make massive donations to both the major parties. There is no expectation that either party in government will be protecting the interests of small business who employ more that 48% of the Australian workforce and create the real wealth that gets taxed in this country.

The Howard government’s turnaround introduction of the GST system, on top of our existing taxation system, and their scandalous efforts to get rid of the Hanson party, (who had a very simple bank deposits tax system and no tax returns, which big business would not be able to cheat on), is a clear demonstration of the unwanted power of big business in this country. (Of course the Liberal government also jumped in and removed the existing Bank Debits tax system for their political masters to stop it being pushed in the future).

A new in-store experience for connected shoppers combines internet networking and shopping. Referred to as social retailing it is the latest fad among the world’s top-end retail shops.

This technology uses an in-store intelligent mirror that can email photos and videos of shoppers in a chosen new outfit to family or friends and even to mobile phones for real-time feedback. This will allow customers to see what others have purchased. US Retailing giant chain Bloomingdales has started using this technology this month week in its USA stores.

Social retailing has been developed and trademarked by US company IconNicholson and was first demonstrated at the ‘Store of the Future’ conference in the US a few months back. The interactive mirror transmits high-bandwidth video to friends who can comment back via instant message (IM) and who send their own suggestions from the stores online catalogue. Perhaps this the best way to combine a Bricks and mortar shopping experience with online shopping.

The Melbourne Showgrounds, Epson Rd, Ascot Vale (enter off Langs Rd), has been confirmed as the new location for the both GHA (Gift and Homewares Association) Gift Fair and also Reed Gift Fairs in Melbourne from August 2007.

Both GHA & Reed Exhibitions, who normally operate simultaneous gift trade fairs in Melbourne, have again co-operated to move exhibitors from the Graham Centre in Port Melbourne to share the various halls at the Melbourne Showgrounds. They will still both maintain exhibitor space at the MECC and will operate continuous FREE shuttle buses between the venues during the fair days. Continuous Free shuttle buses should ensure retail buyers can seamlessly and easily visit all exhibitors with just an 8 kilometre, 10 minute, trip between the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Showgrounds.

The Melbourne Showgrounds is expected to enable many more exhibitors to be present at what is expected to be Australia’s biggest ever gift and homewares trade fair.

The Melbourne Showgrounds will be open early at 8.30am and parking will be plenty there, so the Melbourne Showgrounds might be the best place for retailers to start their business day. For pre-registration see the GHA website.