Firms urged to be smart
BUSINESSES have been encouraged to think outside the box this year if they want to make the most of the important end-of-financial-year sales.
Many businesses will be banking on the end-of-year sales to pull the retail market out of its slump, and Gympie Chamber of Commerce president Ben Ellingsen said yesterday business owners should try to "think different" and try some new things this year in order to attract customers.
"End-of-financial-year sales are an opportune time for retailers to make up for the slow first six months of the year," he said.
"Some consumers do wait for end-of-financial-year sales to spend their money, so businesses shouldn't ignore this opportunity."
May and early June are traditionally quiet times in the retail sector, though some Gympie CBD retailers reported a slight turnaround in confidence and shopping activity last month.
On the Sunshine Coast, small business owners have been encouraged to get in on the action of large retail chains and hold stock take sales of their own.
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce president Alan Porter says whatever businesses can do to encourage sales will help them later in the year.
"It's a tough time of year and the general public get programmed to look out for end-of-financial-year specials as much as they do Boxing Day specials," he said.
