Traders testing waters
Pier retailers counting on discounts to get shoppers through the door
A CAIRNS shopping centre is getting ready for a return to normal business with special discount markets every Saturday.
A number of shops at The Pier Shopping Centre have been reopening from 10am-2pm every Saturday since the beginning of May with select discounts.
Man Overboard owner Jane Koch, who kicked things off with David Smith chino shorts for $20 and is now selling select shirt lines for $30, said she hoped the discounts would encourage customers to return to the Esplanade as more shops along the waterside reopened in the coming weeks.
“The store had been closed on March 24, and reopened May 2, so it’s helped us do some housekeeping while offering a bargain for customers who support us,” she said.
“It’s working well and it’s a reaction to an ever-changing retail market.”
Ms Koch, who celebrated 30 years at The Pier in November, said she never would have believed something like the COVID-19 shutdown would happen.
“I appreciate our local regular customers, that’s who we’re working with,” she said.
Susan Devitt, co-owner of Himalayan Dreams, reopened with 50 per cent off all clothing and 30 per cent off bags, among other discounts.
Ms Devitt said the sales would were planned for the next two or three weeks, after which there would be a return to normal trading.
“All of our stock is handmade, fair trade from Nepal and the people who make our products are heavily dependent on employment,” she said. “We believe it’s better to move our stock so that we can provide more employment for the people over in Nepal.”
Centre manager Renee Johnston said it was good to see more retailers opening and testing the waters.
“In this climate, it is vital that we support our local businesses and The Pier is full of locally owned and operated retail stores,” she said. “Our retailers are passionate about our region and their businesses, and more often than not the person serving you is the shop owner themselves.”