adds. "Australia has not copped [the
recession] nearly as hard other coun-
tries, and with good reason: they've
not been as extended into specula-
tive practices, the banks are more
regulated, and strategies are in place
to provide good economic practices.
In relation to retail, we've seen some
positive aspects of the government
stimulus payments.
about a 10-15% pass through of
those stimulus payments into the re-
tail sector. The rest goes into areas of
paying bills, and the like.
and impact of the pull back in spend-
ing, as it related to commitments from
retailers on forward buys of mer-
chandise and stock. Speak to a lot
of merchants, large and small,
and quickly what you'll arrive at
is that the biggest pinch they felt
was after both rounds of stimulus
payments, where there was a lull.
One of those was a fairly natu-
ral post-holidays lull. Retail-
ers are also looking at stock
and thinking, in light of the
demand, I probably over-
bought, though a lot of their
demand-planning was based
on a reasonably steady state
of economic environment."
ketplace."
are looking for more enduring fash-
ion; enduring quality and things that
they're not just going to throw away.
It's a broader, societal trend, but it has
an impact on the fashion industry too."
agrees with anecdotal evidence which
suggests women are instrumental at
keeping fashion sales afloat, somehow
finding the cash to splurge on fashion.
equally optimistic.
year was better, and we continue to
trade better than the same time last
year," she reveals.
jobs around, also adds that the reces-
sion has affected their more 'classic'
brands. "This customer is more cautious
than the younger contemporary custom-
er," adding that women's fashion and
cosmetics have been less affected than
some other areas such as menswear and
homewares. "Childrenswear was more
difficult for a while however it seems to
be turning around now."
Gale is one of
Chadwick
Models stars
A