Business optimism is soaring
BUSINESS is going gangbusters for Sydney entrepreneur Avi Efrat.
His company, Fantastic Framing, has grown 70 per cent and he has opened three new stores since the outbreak of Covid-19.
“It’s been very successful, but it was also very challenging,” he said of the past 18 months.
“It was a very dark time for a lot of people, so we tried to find the light – art brings light into people’s homes.”
NSW are on target to hit their 70 per cent double-dose target as early as October 11.
It marks a real shift for businesses with confidence increasing across the board.
Essential
services
have
also boomed. Woolworths recorded an uplift of 23 per cent with almost $2bn in net profit after tax, reflecting the tremendous efforts the supermarket giant made to keep its doors open during lockdown.
Vaccinations are the cornerstone of the retailer’s strategy moving forward, because they are the only way for it to keep both staff members and customers safe.
So far, more than 8500 jabs have been administered at on-site Big W vaccination hubs and distribution centre clinics, plus thousands more at state hubs.
“Our immediate focus is ensuring our team members have access to vaccines,” a Woolworths spokesperson said. “We continue to strongly encourage all our team members to get vaccinated.”
This sentiment is echoed by other industry sectors. It has been a tough year for many businesses, but figures from NAB show that Australians spent a record $44bn online while millions of people were locked down.
“The increasing vaccine rate provides hope to Australia’s small businesses, and especially bricksand-mortar retailers,” said Tim Mackinnon, the managing director at ebay Australia.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they are critical partners to ebay. We are a team – so if they win, we win.”
Optimism is also creeping up in Melbourne. Thomastown manufacturer Floridia Cheese has so far survived six lockdowns – more than 240 days in total.
Although this caused big changes to the food services part of its business, exports have continued and there is a strong appetite in retail.
“Home cooking has crazy,” said spokeswoman Montalto-galati.
“People are cooking up a storm! Sales for retail products – that’s things such as mozzarella balls, bocconcini, and shredded cheese – have gone up and are keeping us very busy.
“We lost in one area and gained in another.”
The family business has worked hard to keep employees engaged while continuing to support local dairy farmers.
However, relief is coming for the country’s most locked-down city, with restrictions set to lift as soon as late October, when Victoria is expected to hit its 70 per cent double-jab target. gone Lisa
QANTAS has always put safety first, which is why we strongly backed the national vaccine rollout from the outset.
We know the approved Covid-19 vaccines reduce the risk of getting seriously ill. Getting the jab will also help protect your family, your colleagues and the wider community. Every vaccine that goes into an arm brings us a touch closer to life as we knew it.
With Christmas just around the corner, what bigger incentive could there be than being able to celebrate with friends and family, whether they live in the next state or on the other side of the world?
As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community. That is why we are offering every Australian who is fully vaccinated by the end of the year the chance to claim Qantas points, status credits or a flight discount. The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry and our own Qantas Group team members means we have a clear vested interest in the success of the vaccine rollout.
Our crews can’t wait to get back to reuniting family and friends, taking people on holiday, and putting some energy back into the whole tourism industry. For us, a successful vaccine rollout means that thousands of people can go back to work. In the coming weeks, we need to roll up our sleeves, maintain the momentum and get the vaccine rate as high as 80 per cent and beyond. Because getting us all back together is the Christmas present that we are all hoping for.