Retail sales show modest increase for August, but booksellers face ‘difficult time’
Retail Trade figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week show an increase of 0.3% in seasonally adjusted retail sales for August, compared to an increase of 0.7%...
Readings St Kilda expands
Readings bookstore in St Kilda, Melbourne, will officially launch its new look this weekend with two days of celebrations. The Acland Street store recently closed for less than 48 hours...
In brief
Readings wins music retailing ARIAReadings Carlton in Melbourne is the winner of the 2009 ARIA Retailer of the Year Award for best independent specialist in Victoria. Other state winners were...
In brief
ABA appointments for Connolly, Page and Whitmont At this year's Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) AGM, held on Monday at the ABA national conference in Sydney, Graeme Connolly was named treasurer,...
ABA to participate in retail tenancy ‘crisis meeting’
The Australian Booksellers Association has joined the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in calling on the federal government to bring retailers and landlords together at a Retail Tenancy Crisis meeting. ‘Many...
New look ABC shop opens in Sydney
ABC Commercial has launched a ‘new look' concept store at Bondi Junction in Sydney. The store, which was unveiled last Friday, is the first of the ABC's stores to feature...
Novel Vending Australasia to launch book ‘vending machines’
Novel Vending Australasia has announced it will launch mini book vending machines in Sydney in April. General manager Robyn Gipters told WBN that the company would be working in conjunction...
Baci Lounge bookstore launches in Brisbane
Baci Lounge, a bookshop that offers coffee, food and wine, has launched in Brisbane. Established initially in Auckland [www.baci.co.nz] by Sharad Paul, the store runs its own café, offers a...
Costco confirms July opening for first Australian store
The US discount chain Costco has confirmed its first Australian store will open in Melbourne's Docklands in July. The store will employ 225 staff and will offer products under a...
In brief
Castlemaine Festival literature program announcedThe program for the Castlemaine Festival has been announced. The literature component includes Cate Kennedy, Alex Miller, Judith Rodriguez, Julie Gittus, Ian McBride, Nathan Curnow, Alex...
Plastic bags to be banned in SA
Legislation introduced to the South Australian parliament aims to ban most lightweight plastic bags from supermarkets and other shops by May next year. The proposed legislation comes after a meeting...
Costco to open in Australia mid-2009
Costco, the US wholesale chain, has announced that it will open its first Australian outlet in Melbourne's Docklands by mid-2009. The arrival of the retailer in Australia has been mooted...
In brief
Dymocks debate raises funds for literacyThe Dymocks Literacy Foundation held its annual fundraiser last Thursday, at a debate event where guests Adam Spencer, Rob Carlton, Julia Morris, Chris Cheng, Rebecca...
In brief
Cullen interviewed on RN Book ShowAs the book trade prepares to farewell Barbara Cullen, who will step down as ABA CEO today, she has been interviewed on ABC Radio National's Book Show,...
ANRA calls for deregulation, review of TPA amendments
The Australian National Retailers Association (ANRA), which represents Australia's large-scale retailers, has called on the new Labor government to review recent amendments to the Trade Practices Act. The amendments to...