Busso Saturday trading under fire

Busselton retailers have been accused of not helping themselves during a seasonal lull, claiming inconsistent Saturday trading hours drive shoppers away.

With many businesses reverting to winter trading hours during the quieter months, businesses owners have criticised inconsistency among CBD retailers.

Ormalu Busselton owner Caroline Ramirez said Busselton was often less favoured by customers than Dunsborough and Margaret River because of erratic trading hours confusing customers.

“There’s this stupid business of opening three hours on a Saturday when they can’t open normal hours during the week, I mean, why bother?,” Ms Ramirez said.

“We have complaints from customers all the time.”

The shop opens from 9am until 2pm on a Saturday, although Ms Ramirez said it was surrounded by CBD businesses which closed at varying times as early as noon.

Ms Ramirez admitted the store, like many others around WA, had seen trade drop-off during recent months but said it was “reasonable” to consider extending trading hours on a Saturday to draw customers to the town.

Echo Busselton owner Ben Lloyd, who has previously campaigned for more businesses to open Sundays, agreed consistency was important during the winter months.

“There’s so many stores that just open on a public holiday and you don’t see them again,” Mr Lloyd said.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is being consistent.”

However, Mr Lloyd said extended hours were “not for everyone” but opening on a Sunday resulted in the equivalent of an extra month’s revenue for his business at the end of last financial year.

However, Busselton Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ray McMillan said he would not take any action on Saturday trading hours.

Mr McMillan said businesses were free to choose their own trading hours and quieter conditions were seen in Busselton every year during winter.

“If it has been any quieter than normal I haven’t heard but there’s nothing much I can do about that,” Mr McMillan said.

Hobson’s staff member Ron Collett also acknowledged many were operating on restricted hours on a Saturday although he noticed many complaints among business owners about trade being slow on a Saturday.

“I think your cafes would be fine but every other retailer has been dead,” he said.

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