by Amy Altamura: 7 May, 2011
The department store Myer, has signed a new partnership with Sass & Bide designers’, Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, for $42.25 million bidding higher than rival department store, David Jones.
The deal gives Myer a significant 65 percent stake in the label, allowing them to claim exclusive rights.
Fashion Team Leader at Myer Garden City, Kirsten Dyson, said that a dramatic increase in fashion sales and a new look with ‘exclusive stand-alone’ brands, are just some of many predicted benefits to come from Sass & Bide.
“Myer hopes to gain more market share in the industry by including Sass & Bide in their regular markdown sales,” said Mrs. Dyson.
Myer customer, Kelly Thomson, said that although regular customers will continue to shop at Myer, this move would also attract a crowd with a different sense of style then that of the usual Myer customer.
“Sass & Bide has a certain ‘cult status’, which draws people in,” she said.
Over the past two years Sass & Bide sales grew by 50 percent, reaching $37 million last year.
“This will definitely make Myer a more challenging competitor, although David Jones says the brand will be replaced, regular Sass & Bide customers will now purchase from our store if they cannot easily access it at David Jones,” said Mrs. Dyson.
Miss. Thomson, who does not like online shopping due to the high chance of wrong fit and sizing, said she used to shop at David Jones for Sass & Bide clothing.
“I am happy that I can now gain more ‘Myer One’ points and receive better customer service on the brand I love, in comparison to David Jones,” she said.
Other brands acquired by Myer, such as Charlie Brown, hope to relish in the Sass & Bide success of attracting more loyal customers.
“At Charlie Brown we have discovered that ‘loyal Myer One customers’ will always come back for more, which is a very positive attraction for a brand to join Myer,” said Charlie Brown Manager at Myer Garden City, Lara Parry.
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
South Perth may get more small bars
By Lacey Holtfreter, 1 May 2011
The City of South Perth Council changed the land usage of a potential small bar site on Angelo Street from retail to cafe/restaurant yesterday, paving the way for more small wine bars.
This follows the decision by Council members to support a 300-strong petition in relation to small bar licences by an overwhelming 11-0 vote on the 22nd of March.
The petition from Angelo Street business owners called for the Council to be “proactive” when supporting small bar licenses and the move to change the usage is a clear indication of that.
South Perth City Council Planning Officer, Cameron Howell, said he has relayed to the site leaseholder that they have received the petition and hope they consider a small licensed venue.
“The petition shows that a large amount of the community clearly thinks it would be a good idea.
“They don’t want a standard cafe because there are enough of them on Angelo Street already,” Mr Howell said.
Angelo Street business owner and petition co-ordinator, Shona Reid, was very happy with the outcome of the town meeting and the subsequent change of usage.
Ms Reid said that she felt Angelo Street was being left behind in comparison to other shopping precincts such as Beaufort Street in Mt Lawley.
“I think it will keep the strip alive later into the day, it dies here in the evening.
“There is a couple of cafe and restaurants open but they don’t have any buzz or life about them,” said Ms Reid.
Kensington Police Sergeant Nicholas Harris said from a community policing point of view the size of the bar is the most important element that they need to consider.
“As it will be a small establishment it won’t attract huge crowds and be open late into the night, so it should not be a big issue,” Sergeant Harris said.
Some South Perth residents oppose the idea of a small licensed venue on Angelo Street as they fear it will not add vibrancy to the street but rather attract anti-social behaviour.
Peter Pagoda, a resident for 13 years, said he did not sign the petition because he was concerned it could bring an undesirable element to the community.
“Angelo Street is a quiet residential area and a licensed venue may ruin that environment and impact on the safety of the residents,” Mr Pagoda said.
DNA beef plan ‘no threat’
By Luke Cranswick, 17 April, 2011
A project of taking African breed cattle DNA and fusing it with Australian cattle, will not threaten the local beef market, but strengthen it, according to proponents.
“It will help it because it adds more genetic diversity, and produces hybrid vigour,” said the main behind the project, Stewart Cranswick.
He says the main drive behind this project is to introduce a new breed and sell it into existing beef farms so they can introduce the positive genetics into their herd like hardiness for other types of climate, good meat conversion ratios.
Mr Cranswick said there was some recorded success, already.
“We currently have 330 cows and 140 bulls,” he said.
“The aim was to get them to cross breed which at thing point in time they currently are so that is successful, the result is the next stage we hope will succeed.
“In summary the Bonsmara DNA has all the toughness of a tropical breed but can produce beef and can cross well with all types.”
He said there were some difficulties faced when conducting the project, like avoiding certain diseases like foot and mouth disease.
“Because of the diseases in Africa, they can only be introduced as embryos which are so very fragile, another is that we only had a 30% survival rate due to some of the cattle not accept the embryo,” said Mr Cranswick.
By transporting them as embryos they are too small to carry diseases so the chance of them passing on any diseases it almost non-existent.
The project involves Bonsmara cattle embryos being transported from South Africa and implanting them inside the cows.
The cattle were first bred by a man named John Bons some 70 years ago, the Bonsmara cattle are currently being farmed in Louis Trichardt, South Africa, by Gavin Bristow.
Both Mr Bristow and Mr Cranswick say they have received no ethical objection from members of the public on the matter and say the transporting of the embryos is done in a humane way.
“The cows are injected with hormones to make them super ovulate. Other than these injections, their lives go on as normal,” said Mr Bristow.
A project of taking African breed cattle DNA and fusing it with Australian cattle, will not threaten the local beef market, but strengthen it, according to proponents.
“It will help it because it adds more genetic diversity, and produces hybrid vigour,” said the main behind the project, Stewart Cranswick.
He says the main drive behind this project is to introduce a new breed and sell it into existing beef farms so they can introduce the positive genetics into their herd like hardiness for other types of climate, good meat conversion ratios.
Mr Cranswick said there was some recorded success, already.
“We currently have 330 cows and 140 bulls,” he said.
“The aim was to get them to cross breed which at thing point in time they currently are so that is successful, the result is the next stage we hope will succeed.
“In summary the Bonsmara DNA has all the toughness of a tropical breed but can produce beef and can cross well with all types.”
He said there were some difficulties faced when conducting the project, like avoiding certain diseases like foot and mouth disease.
“Because of the diseases in Africa, they can only be introduced as embryos which are so very fragile, another is that we only had a 30% survival rate due to some of the cattle not accept the embryo,” said Mr Cranswick.
By transporting them as embryos they are too small to carry diseases so the chance of them passing on any diseases it almost non-existent.
The project involves Bonsmara cattle embryos being transported from South Africa and implanting them inside the cows.
The cattle were first bred by a man named John Bons some 70 years ago, the Bonsmara cattle are currently being farmed in Louis Trichardt, South Africa, by Gavin Bristow.
Both Mr Bristow and Mr Cranswick say they have received no ethical objection from members of the public on the matter and say the transporting of the embryos is done in a humane way.
“The cows are injected with hormones to make them super ovulate. Other than these injections, their lives go on as normal,” said Mr Bristow.
South Beach developers beached
By Jessica Shackleton, 8 April, 2011
Cockburn City Council has refused a three-storey development planned for South Beach Promenade.
At its March meeting, the council confirmed the apartment block would not go ahead after objections from local residents.
A total of 22 residents objected to the development, saying the three-storey apartment block would be built in a beachfront residential area.
Carole Reeve-Fowkes, a councillor for Cockburn, supported the residents along with the Mayor of Fremantle, Brad Pettit.
“Never before have there been 22 individual objections to one project,” Ms Reeve-Fowkes said.
“I knew something wasn’t right then.”
The resident objections were concerned about a proposed underground car park and increasing traffic density in the area.
Mr. Pettit visited the area and agreed with residents that the laneway behind the South Beach Promenade units was too small to accommodate any more cars.
Nola Goodchild, one of the original residents of the South Beach Village, spoke at the council meeting, arguing the need for the area to stay residential rather than a built up, concrete jungle.
“Developers come in, make their money, and leave,” Ms. Goodchild said.
“That’s not what this area is about, they want investors not residents.”
Mr. and Ms. Goodchild chose to buy the unit at the end of the promenade on the basis that the empty block next to them, was intended for another unit.
The lot was sold to a developer who was hired by Base Developments WA on the condition that he could oversee the developments and provide the block of apartments.
A report by Base Developments WA for Cockburn Council said the apartments are an opportunity to increase affordable and diverse accommodation in the South Beach Village.
After rejecting the proposal, Cockburn City Council has received praise from the South Beach residents.
“The Council was very supportive; the Mayor actually listened to what we had to say, he was brilliant,” Ms. Goodchild said.
Base Developments WA has declined to comment.
Cockburn City Council has refused a three-storey development planned for South Beach Promenade.
At its March meeting, the council confirmed the apartment block would not go ahead after objections from local residents.
A total of 22 residents objected to the development, saying the three-storey apartment block would be built in a beachfront residential area.
Carole Reeve-Fowkes, a councillor for Cockburn, supported the residents along with the Mayor of Fremantle, Brad Pettit.
“Never before have there been 22 individual objections to one project,” Ms Reeve-Fowkes said.
“I knew something wasn’t right then.”
The resident objections were concerned about a proposed underground car park and increasing traffic density in the area.
Mr. Pettit visited the area and agreed with residents that the laneway behind the South Beach Promenade units was too small to accommodate any more cars.
Nola Goodchild, one of the original residents of the South Beach Village, spoke at the council meeting, arguing the need for the area to stay residential rather than a built up, concrete jungle.
“Developers come in, make their money, and leave,” Ms. Goodchild said.
“That’s not what this area is about, they want investors not residents.”
Mr. and Ms. Goodchild chose to buy the unit at the end of the promenade on the basis that the empty block next to them, was intended for another unit.
The lot was sold to a developer who was hired by Base Developments WA on the condition that he could oversee the developments and provide the block of apartments.
A report by Base Developments WA for Cockburn Council said the apartments are an opportunity to increase affordable and diverse accommodation in the South Beach Village.
After rejecting the proposal, Cockburn City Council has received praise from the South Beach residents.
“The Council was very supportive; the Mayor actually listened to what we had to say, he was brilliant,” Ms. Goodchild said.
Base Developments WA has declined to comment.
Under-sized fishing deleting fish stocks
By Ian Melville, 8 April, 2011
Local fish stocks are under threat due to under size fishing.
Anglers are not adhering to the laws and regulations, says the Fisheries Department, which has identified Black Bream and Tailor species have been hit hard this summer and stocks are in danger.
“People don't target under size fish,” says Fisheries Officer Ryan Parker from the Fremantle Fisheries Department.
“They just take whatever they catch.”
Fisheries officials have targeted the Fremantle rock walls, piers, and the Mandurah bridges to show force on the matter.
“The West Australian fisheries department have conducted road blocks and on site visits to these areas, although the exact number of infringements cannot be disclosed at this time,” said Mr Parker.
“The majority of infringements issued within these areas have been handed to people with poor language and communication skills,” said Fisheries Officer Bob Kirk.
“More staff are needed.
"Interpreters are needed to create effective cross cultural communication and education,” said Mr Kirk.
“Fishing in Western Australia has its restrictions and laws.
“People are just not getting the message,” he said.
Fines of $200 can be issued for each under size fish and people are urged to help fisheries combat these issues.
Western Australia is one of the few states in Australia to make recreational fishing licenses compulsory.
Bag limits also apply to certain fish breeds within the state.
“Fish in these waters will not last unless they are given a chance to grow and reproduce,” says Mr Kirk.
“Catching fish at such an early stage in their life is only creating an uneven biodiversity,” said Bob Kirk.
Slow start to new Claremont Quarter
By Courtenay McPhee, 8 April 2011
Stores on the Bayview Terrace in the new Claremont Quarter are disappointed in their initial number of customers and sales.
Over a month has passed since the Claremont Quarter opened in late February
“We were expecting a huge increase in customers when the quarter opened, but sales for March are defiantly down when compared to this time last year,” said the manager of the women’s stores Kookai, Louse Allen.
“You could say that we are not doing well at all.”
“There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of transactions in the past month, less people are coming into the store, Cotton On manager, Robbie Cliff, said.
Since the opening of the Claremont Quarter, the famous shopping strip Bayview Terrace, has become more of a cafe strip than a place to shop.
Ellora Stone, a frequent Claremont shopper for many years, said that when she comes to Claremont now, she heads straight to the quarter and may go to Bayview Terrace for a bite to eat.
“Bayview Terrace is one of the last shopping strips in Perth, so it would be sad to see it become a cafe strip, but at the same time there is so much to offer shopping wise in the quarter, so it is easy to forget about Bayview Terrace,” she said.
“It seems people mainly come to Bayview for the cafes now, rather than to shop,” Mr Cliff said.
Stores such as Smiggle, Alannah Hill and Bed Bath and Table, have moved from Bayview Terrace to the Claremont Quarter, but no new stores have taken their place, as the spaces are still up for lease.
Locals say what fills up these spaces may determine if Bayview Terrace will continue to be a shopping strip or become the Bayview cafe strip.
Stores on the Bayview Terrace in the new Claremont Quarter are disappointed in their initial number of customers and sales.
Over a month has passed since the Claremont Quarter opened in late February
“We were expecting a huge increase in customers when the quarter opened, but sales for March are defiantly down when compared to this time last year,” said the manager of the women’s stores Kookai, Louse Allen.
“You could say that we are not doing well at all.”
“There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of transactions in the past month, less people are coming into the store, Cotton On manager, Robbie Cliff, said.
Since the opening of the Claremont Quarter, the famous shopping strip Bayview Terrace, has become more of a cafe strip than a place to shop.
Ellora Stone, a frequent Claremont shopper for many years, said that when she comes to Claremont now, she heads straight to the quarter and may go to Bayview Terrace for a bite to eat.
“Bayview Terrace is one of the last shopping strips in Perth, so it would be sad to see it become a cafe strip, but at the same time there is so much to offer shopping wise in the quarter, so it is easy to forget about Bayview Terrace,” she said.
“It seems people mainly come to Bayview for the cafes now, rather than to shop,” Mr Cliff said.
Stores such as Smiggle, Alannah Hill and Bed Bath and Table, have moved from Bayview Terrace to the Claremont Quarter, but no new stores have taken their place, as the spaces are still up for lease.
Locals say what fills up these spaces may determine if Bayview Terrace will continue to be a shopping strip or become the Bayview cafe strip.
Ex-employee blows whistle on Spotless
By Andrew Birch, 8 April 2011
Poor work practices and management by Spotless Group Ltd in BHP Billiton’s Mount Keith mine site kitchen are creating an ‘accident waiting to happen’, according to ex-employee Deborah Palmer.
Ms Palmer, 39, of Gosnells, yesterday told of her treatment by catering and cleaning company Spotless, during her employment as a kitchen hand.
She claims that a shoulder injury, which she sustained at work on the 14th of February this year, was the result of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and could have been avoided had BHP’s company policy been adhered to.
“When we had our orientation, we were told all about BHP’s strict occupational health and safety guidelines, and told that we had to rotate through several work stations on the hour throughout our shift so that we didn’t get RSI,” Ms Palmer said.
She claims that when she reported the injury to her Spotless supervisors, she was told to lie to anyone else who asked about the rotation system.
“They said to just pretend that I had been rotated, even though all of us regularly spent up to four hours on each station because we were so short staffed.”
She said she refused to lie to a BHP official and Spotless senior manager when asked if she had been rotated on the day of her injury.
She told them she had not been rotated and this had caused her hand to swell up to such an extent that the site medic had to cut a ring from one of her fingers.
“They both thanked me for my honesty and the Spotless manager said he couldn’t believe that anybody had had that kind of experience while working for his company, and that he would look into it.”
Spotless supervisors denied any wrong doing, and Ms Palmer said she was informed that nothing further could be done as it was “my word against theirs”.
When contacted, a Spotless representative acknowledged the situation, but declined to comment as she said this would be in breach of the Privacy Act
The representative said the allegations were being taken seriously and the matter would be fully investigated.
“While there are no official laws relating to RSI, companies should still undergo risk assessment for their workplace to minimise the likelihood of injury,” a Work Safe representative said.
“The recommendation (to employers) is that if employees are carrying out a repetitive task for an extended period of time, they be given a five minute break when needed, or switch to a different task after a specified amount of time,” she said.
“Mining kitchens usually have quite strict procedures in place because they are so busy and tasks can be physically demanding.”
Ms Palmer is awaiting the approval of a workers compensation claim for medical fees and loss of income.
Poor work practices and management by Spotless Group Ltd in BHP Billiton’s Mount Keith mine site kitchen are creating an ‘accident waiting to happen’, according to ex-employee Deborah Palmer.
Ms Palmer, 39, of Gosnells, yesterday told of her treatment by catering and cleaning company Spotless, during her employment as a kitchen hand.
She claims that a shoulder injury, which she sustained at work on the 14th of February this year, was the result of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and could have been avoided had BHP’s company policy been adhered to.
“When we had our orientation, we were told all about BHP’s strict occupational health and safety guidelines, and told that we had to rotate through several work stations on the hour throughout our shift so that we didn’t get RSI,” Ms Palmer said.
She claims that when she reported the injury to her Spotless supervisors, she was told to lie to anyone else who asked about the rotation system.
“They said to just pretend that I had been rotated, even though all of us regularly spent up to four hours on each station because we were so short staffed.”
She said she refused to lie to a BHP official and Spotless senior manager when asked if she had been rotated on the day of her injury.
She told them she had not been rotated and this had caused her hand to swell up to such an extent that the site medic had to cut a ring from one of her fingers.
“They both thanked me for my honesty and the Spotless manager said he couldn’t believe that anybody had had that kind of experience while working for his company, and that he would look into it.”
Spotless supervisors denied any wrong doing, and Ms Palmer said she was informed that nothing further could be done as it was “my word against theirs”.
When contacted, a Spotless representative acknowledged the situation, but declined to comment as she said this would be in breach of the Privacy Act
The representative said the allegations were being taken seriously and the matter would be fully investigated.
“While there are no official laws relating to RSI, companies should still undergo risk assessment for their workplace to minimise the likelihood of injury,” a Work Safe representative said.
“The recommendation (to employers) is that if employees are carrying out a repetitive task for an extended period of time, they be given a five minute break when needed, or switch to a different task after a specified amount of time,” she said.
“Mining kitchens usually have quite strict procedures in place because they are so busy and tasks can be physically demanding.”
Ms Palmer is awaiting the approval of a workers compensation claim for medical fees and loss of income.
2011 a 'winning' vintage
by Kate Hughes, 7 April 2011
A tiny Mount Barker winery aims to bring the giants of the grape to their knees again.
Boutique maker Gilberts, owned by the Melville- based family of the same name, expects their 2011 Riesling to be as every bit as good as its 2010 predecessor, which won the Southern Hemisphere’s premier wine label the varietal.
Vineyard worker and Notre Dame student Matthew Gilbert flew to Canberra last November to accept the trophy for a wine which beat the best of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
His father Jim Gilbert describes this year’s vintage as “sensational”.
The grapes were picked in the cool of the night when juice acidity levels are at their highest, maximising the flavour.
Leeming wine connoisseur and wine investor Stephen Wragg bought a case of the 2010 Riesling when he learned of its success and plans to put his money where his mouth is again this year.
“It is exceptional quality with intense flavours and extensive length,” he said.
“It is similar to the finest French and German styles.
“Gilberts came on to the radar about 10 years ago when they started winning competitions and it’s good to see a small Western Australia winery doing well.”
In 2000 the Gilberts Riesling won the trophy at the Qantas Mount Barker wine show, the first time in the show’s history a Riesling had been declared the best wine in Western Australia.
Matthew Gilbert said the hot summer ripened the fruit earlier and led to a scramble to harvest.
“We only have three acres under Riesling so it took three hours to bring it in,” he said.
“The chardonnay had to be hand-picked and it took us two days to pick seven acres – and that was with the help of 12 European back packers.”
Jim Gilbert said the dry winter and hot summer looked like ruining this year’s vintage but 100mms of rain in January fixed the problem.
He was cautiously optimistic about Gilberts challenging giants like Penfolds, Grosset and Peter Lehmann for the Riesling trophy on the national wine competition circuit.
“You never know what the judges will taste on the day,” he said.
“If we get those who really like Riesling, then that will come through…
“All I can say is that the 2011 Riesling is on par with what we’ve been doing for some years.”
A tiny Mount Barker winery aims to bring the giants of the grape to their knees again.
Boutique maker Gilberts, owned by the Melville- based family of the same name, expects their 2011 Riesling to be as every bit as good as its 2010 predecessor, which won the Southern Hemisphere’s premier wine label the varietal.
Vineyard worker and Notre Dame student Matthew Gilbert flew to Canberra last November to accept the trophy for a wine which beat the best of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
His father Jim Gilbert describes this year’s vintage as “sensational”.
The grapes were picked in the cool of the night when juice acidity levels are at their highest, maximising the flavour.
Leeming wine connoisseur and wine investor Stephen Wragg bought a case of the 2010 Riesling when he learned of its success and plans to put his money where his mouth is again this year.
“It is exceptional quality with intense flavours and extensive length,” he said.
“It is similar to the finest French and German styles.
“Gilberts came on to the radar about 10 years ago when they started winning competitions and it’s good to see a small Western Australia winery doing well.”
In 2000 the Gilberts Riesling won the trophy at the Qantas Mount Barker wine show, the first time in the show’s history a Riesling had been declared the best wine in Western Australia.
Matthew Gilbert said the hot summer ripened the fruit earlier and led to a scramble to harvest.
“We only have three acres under Riesling so it took three hours to bring it in,” he said.
“The chardonnay had to be hand-picked and it took us two days to pick seven acres – and that was with the help of 12 European back packers.”
Jim Gilbert said the dry winter and hot summer looked like ruining this year’s vintage but 100mms of rain in January fixed the problem.
He was cautiously optimistic about Gilberts challenging giants like Penfolds, Grosset and Peter Lehmann for the Riesling trophy on the national wine competition circuit.
“You never know what the judges will taste on the day,” he said.
“If we get those who really like Riesling, then that will come through…
“All I can say is that the 2011 Riesling is on par with what we’ve been doing for some years.”
Gamble on new wine bar
By Jordan Poga, 6 April, 2011
Kim Gamble, original owner of controversial eateries, The Blue Duck and Barchetta, is set to open a new wine bar this May.
When Mr Gamble proposed the opening of the beach side restaurant, The Blue Duck, more than 20 years ago, he was met by unrelenting resistance from a small local group, saying his actions would destroy the natural beauty of Cottesloe’s beachfront.
He was met with similar resistance with Barchetta.
However this time it was thought that customers of the beach side restaurant would be “drunken… perverts,” Mr Gamble recalls, because it was so close to the showers and a walkway from the beach.
“They didn’t want to give me a licence for Barchetta for three years.
“All it takes is for one vocal minority to stand up and complain and that’s it,” said Mr Gamble.
However, Mr Gamble was pleased to see, this time, locals are agreeing that the aptly named “Kim’s Foodbar” is something the community really needs.
“I think it’s a great idea for the area, said local business manager, Nikki Grey.
“There hasn’t been much variety around, so I definitely think this is going to be great,” she said.
“The local community has responded strongly, indicating that there has been a desire from the community to have a please to catch up and have a glass of wine,” said local business owner, Lynne Poga.
Having travelled throughout Europe for several years, Mr Gamble returned to Perth in 1982, to open “Kim’s Bar” - the first establishment “to have a coffee machine on the bar,” he said.
With such a good record and The Blue Duck having “served over seven million customers,” Mr Gamble said.
“I wouldn’t want a bar that attracts a younger crowd so close,” said Ms Grey.
“However given the price of alcohol at these kinds of places, you aren’t going to go there to get drunk,” she said.
“I’m glad it’s there as long as they’re attracting a mature market.”
After experiencing such resistance in the past, Mr Gamble said he could only be pleased with the reception he has received, and looks forward to the opening in May.
Downloads killing the video stores
by Reece Baker, 5 April 2011
Local video storeowners are being forced to close their doors because of lack of business due to online rental technology.
Roxy Video located in Perth’s northern-coastal suburb of Cottesloe, says it is facing near bankruptcy due to emerging technologies within the entertainment industry, allowing people to easily access online rentals from home.
The last video store of the suburb is telling its customers they will be closing later this month.
Some local Cottesloe citizens say they are sorry to see the video store closing its doors.
For long time resident Val Delassio, her weekly trip to the video store is a family affair.
“I still like the old customer service and I like to be able to go in and look around at all the movies on the shelves, I can spend up to a good hour in the video store,” Mrs. Delassio said.
“You can only see so much online and I’m old school, I like to still come in and do it.”
Mrs. Delassio said at least two days each week she gets in the car with her daughter for a trip to the local video store because of the advice and attention she receives.
She said some of the employees at Roxy Video on Eric Street, where she regularly rents videos, have kids her children’s age and employees are able to provide good advice on what games and movies they think her children would like.
"You get to know them over the years and you bond with these people, so it’s rather sad to see them all closing,” Mrs. Delassio said.
Store owner, Jackson Rolley, who has managed Roxy Video since 2001, said that the store was facing closure due to lack of business in today’s declining economy.
“Roxy Video needs to realign its cost structure due to the ongoing changes in our industry.
“Online services such as Quickflix are not allowing us to compete fairly in a technologically growing market,” Mr. Rolley said.
Quickflix, an Australian company, allows its consumers to browse an online catalogue of films and television series.
Once they decide, consumers have the product delivered to their door within the next day.
“There’s nothing we can really do about it at this stage, it seems as if people are just getting lazier these days, preferring to use the internet rather than face to face interaction,” Mr. Rolley said.
Local video storeowners are being forced to close their doors because of lack of business due to online rental technology.
Roxy Video located in Perth’s northern-coastal suburb of Cottesloe, says it is facing near bankruptcy due to emerging technologies within the entertainment industry, allowing people to easily access online rentals from home.
The last video store of the suburb is telling its customers they will be closing later this month.
Some local Cottesloe citizens say they are sorry to see the video store closing its doors.
For long time resident Val Delassio, her weekly trip to the video store is a family affair.
“I still like the old customer service and I like to be able to go in and look around at all the movies on the shelves, I can spend up to a good hour in the video store,” Mrs. Delassio said.
“You can only see so much online and I’m old school, I like to still come in and do it.”
Mrs. Delassio said at least two days each week she gets in the car with her daughter for a trip to the local video store because of the advice and attention she receives.
She said some of the employees at Roxy Video on Eric Street, where she regularly rents videos, have kids her children’s age and employees are able to provide good advice on what games and movies they think her children would like.
"You get to know them over the years and you bond with these people, so it’s rather sad to see them all closing,” Mrs. Delassio said.
Store owner, Jackson Rolley, who has managed Roxy Video since 2001, said that the store was facing closure due to lack of business in today’s declining economy.
“Roxy Video needs to realign its cost structure due to the ongoing changes in our industry.
“Online services such as Quickflix are not allowing us to compete fairly in a technologically growing market,” Mr. Rolley said.
Quickflix, an Australian company, allows its consumers to browse an online catalogue of films and television series.
Once they decide, consumers have the product delivered to their door within the next day.
“There’s nothing we can really do about it at this stage, it seems as if people are just getting lazier these days, preferring to use the internet rather than face to face interaction,” Mr. Rolley said.
Perth journalist jailed in Burma
by Maddy Howard, 3 April 2011
A Perth journalist has been arrested in Myanmar and kept in Insein prison for 47 days without the opportunity of bail.
Ross Dunkley, publisher of the Myanmar Times, was arrested on the 10th of February for the possession of illegal drugs, detaining a prostitute, and immigration charges.
However he was only allowed to post bail on the 29th of March.
“They would do the trial, and then lock him back up again,” said Mr. Dunkley’s wife, Cynda Dunkley.
“They claimed they he was healthy so there was no reason to let him out.”
Myanmar Times shareholder Dr. Tin Tun Oo is suspected to have been involved with Mr. Dunkley’s arrest and has now replaced Mr. Dunkley as CEO of the company.
After suspicion of his involvement was released in the press, Mr. Oo posted bail for Mr. Dunkley as a way to prove his loyalty to his partner.
The only evidence against Mr. Dunkley is a complainant’s statement about alleged offences.
Mr. Dunkley’s house in Myanmar has two guards who have testified saying the alleged woman was only in the house for 20 minutes.
The taxi driver and next-door neighbours’ guards have also make statements supporting Mr. Dunkley’s denial of the charges, says Mrs Dunkley.
“All of the witnesses have been supportive of the story.
“The woman who made the statement has tried to withdraw it many times, but someone in the junta is pressuring her not to withdraw.
“They don’t want to ‘lose face’,” said Mrs. Dunkley.
The police in Myanmar have agreed to let the complainant drop the charges, but it is suspected that she is too afraid of being locked up by the government to withdraw the statement.
“Corruption is actually a very big problem, it is everywhere, at every level,” said Mee Mee Zaw. said a lecturer at University of Western Australia who specialises in Burmese studies, Mee Mee Zaw..
“There is many politics and conflict of interest in this case.
“The government is favouring other people’s word over Mr. Dunkley’s because of his status in Burma,” she said.
The Australian Embassy has told Mrs. Dunkley that they have to wait until the legal procedures in Burma have been finalised, before they can lobby for him to get taken out of Burma or deported.
It is estimated he could get up to 10 years in prison.
A Perth journalist has been arrested in Myanmar and kept in Insein prison for 47 days without the opportunity of bail.
Ross Dunkley, publisher of the Myanmar Times, was arrested on the 10th of February for the possession of illegal drugs, detaining a prostitute, and immigration charges.
However he was only allowed to post bail on the 29th of March.
“They would do the trial, and then lock him back up again,” said Mr. Dunkley’s wife, Cynda Dunkley.
“They claimed they he was healthy so there was no reason to let him out.”
Myanmar Times shareholder Dr. Tin Tun Oo is suspected to have been involved with Mr. Dunkley’s arrest and has now replaced Mr. Dunkley as CEO of the company.
After suspicion of his involvement was released in the press, Mr. Oo posted bail for Mr. Dunkley as a way to prove his loyalty to his partner.
The only evidence against Mr. Dunkley is a complainant’s statement about alleged offences.
Mr. Dunkley’s house in Myanmar has two guards who have testified saying the alleged woman was only in the house for 20 minutes.
The taxi driver and next-door neighbours’ guards have also make statements supporting Mr. Dunkley’s denial of the charges, says Mrs Dunkley.
“All of the witnesses have been supportive of the story.
“The woman who made the statement has tried to withdraw it many times, but someone in the junta is pressuring her not to withdraw.
“They don’t want to ‘lose face’,” said Mrs. Dunkley.
The police in Myanmar have agreed to let the complainant drop the charges, but it is suspected that she is too afraid of being locked up by the government to withdraw the statement.
“Corruption is actually a very big problem, it is everywhere, at every level,” said Mee Mee Zaw. said a lecturer at University of Western Australia who specialises in Burmese studies, Mee Mee Zaw..
“There is many politics and conflict of interest in this case.
“The government is favouring other people’s word over Mr. Dunkley’s because of his status in Burma,” she said.
The Australian Embassy has told Mrs. Dunkley that they have to wait until the legal procedures in Burma have been finalised, before they can lobby for him to get taken out of Burma or deported.
It is estimated he could get up to 10 years in prison.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Fashion Lacks Funds
Written by Liria Ramirez
Standing across from the old gasworks building in the unfashionable side of Perth city, it is hard to imagine how it has been transformed into the stiletto-friendly Fashion Paramount,
Standing across from the old gasworks building in the unfashionable side of Perth city, it is hard to imagine how it has been transformed into the stiletto-friendly Fashion Paramount,
Friday, 7 January 2011
Women’s pay gap widening
By Katherine Dumont
Imagine checking your bank account balance and realising that you hadn't been paid for months.
You ask around the office at work and discover all your male colleagues have been paid on time and in full.
How might you feel if – after putting in all those hours, reaching your targets and hitting all those key performance indicators (KPI’s) – you hadn’t received a cent, while every man at your company had no such trouble?
Friday, 3 December 2010
Business ethics debated in the big end of town
Do business and ethics mix? Can you be a nice guy and still run a business? Are we necessarily governed by the market?
Telstra chief, David Thodey, Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, former Wallabies Captain, John Eales and marketing expert John Moore were put on their toes yesterday when asked these questions at a Business Ethics Q&A lunch hosted by The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Telstra chief, David Thodey, Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, former Wallabies Captain, John Eales and marketing expert John Moore were put on their toes yesterday when asked these questions at a Business Ethics Q&A lunch hosted by The University of Notre Dame Australia.
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