New research released in the December ARA Australian Retailers Index revealed a five percentage point jump in confidence among SME retailers, after consistent falls in confidence levels since November 2007.Australian Retailers Association Executive Director Richard Evans said the December ARA Australian Retailers Index showed marked improvement for SME retailers with increases in key economic indicators, but warned the retailers’ attitudes were still being affected by ‘gloom and doom’... ...Read more »
The Federal Government has announced a deferral of some small business tax liabilities in the first half of 2009, with over one million small businesses likely to qualify for the tax relief. The news will be well received by the small business community, and are a sign that the government recognises the cash flow difficulties that the economic slowdown presents for smaller employers and contractors, according to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). “While the decision is... ...Read more »
The ACCI Small Business Survey has found that small business conditions have continued to deteriorate over the September quarter with this index falling to 38.6 - its lowest level since the Survey began in December 1996 and over 15 points below its five year average of 54.2. In the midst of a continued slowdown in employment growth, wage and non-wage labour costs continued to moderate and fell below their five year average. The ACCI Small Business Survey also discovered that business expects a further... ...Read more »
Brisbane-based gourmet pizza franchise Pizza Capers has taken out the “Rising Star Award” at Queensland Business Review’s Q400 Awards. Pizza Capers co-owner Scott Geiszler said the award acknowledged the immense growth rate of the business which moved from the 332nd spot on the Q400 list in 2006 to number 97 this year. “It is fantastic to know we are one Queensland’s largest businesses, it is what we strive to achieve and it’s great to be recognised for all our... ...Read more »
More and more British shoppers are now walking to their local shop; according to research commissioned by My Shop is Your Shop and Unilever’s leading brands Flora and Persil Small & Mighty. The research has revealed a short walk to the local independently owned store is saving British shoppers over £2 million per day in fuel costs. Campaigners suggest the credit crunch has combined with increasing consumer awareness of climate change issues and higher fuel costs to offer a platform from... ...Read more »
Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) left optimistic the Rudd Government is providing the leadership needed to respond to the global financial crisis following the Small Business Summit on Friday, but added that more could be done to help small business. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson announced a number of new measures on Friday including: 1. Small Business Support and Advice during the financial crisis from Business Enterprise... ...Read more »
The Federal Government has announced that they will host a Small Business Summit on the global financial crisis in Brisbane this Friday.The forum, organised in collaboration with the Council of Small Business of Australia and Commerce Queensland, will allow small business operators and their representatives to discuss, with the Prime Minister, the impact of the global financial crisis on the small business community. Treasurer Wayne Swan and the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law Senator... ...Read more »
Devour Café of Thornbury, Fresh Fish on Line - a Melbourne seafood retailer delivering fresh seafood to customers’ doors and Sprinkle Emporium are the 2008 Businesses of the Year.The Leader Business Achiever Awards are presented across 22 categories, with winners selected from mystery shopping research and Leader readership votes, or by a judging panel. Announced at a gala dinner in North Fitzroy last Thursday night, Mr Helper said the high standard of award recipients reflected the quality... ...Read more »
Many Australian small businesses are headed for a cash crisis in the wake of the global credit crunch, a CPA Australia survey* has shown. The survey has prompted CPA Australia to produce a guide to help business through tough times. The latest CPA Australia Small business survey showed that cash flow problems and pressure on profit margins were being experienced by many small businesses. Increasing the likelihood of these becoming worse is a finding that many smaller enterprises may not be undertaking... ...Read more »
The ACCI Small Business Survey highlights that small business conditions have continued to deteriorate over the June 2008 quarter with this index falling to 43.4 - its lowest level since this Survey began in December 1996 and over 10 points below its five year average of 54.8. In the midst of continued moderation in employment growth, wage growth moderated slightly but non-wage labour costs continued to increase. The ACCI Small Business Survey also found that: • Business expects a further decline... ...Read more »