Report reveals $2.4 billion spent on shopping and food in Melbourne in 2013-14


City workers, residents, visitors and students spent $2.4 billion on retail and hospitality in the City of Melbourne in 2013-14, new research shows.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today joined Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren to release the year one report card on the implementation of the Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy 2013-2017.

“Melbourne is the world’s most liveable city and our enviable retail and hospitality industries are a major contributor to that liveability and to our flourishing economy,” the Lord Mayor said.

“In 2013 we adopted our second retail and hospitality strategy to help guide and promote further growth in these sectors and this year one report shows that those efforts are paying off with city workers, students, residents and visitors spending $2.4 billion in 2013-14.

“An integral part of these industries’ success revolves around partnerships and working together to cultivate shared opportunities and address the needs of the consumer, such as the collaboration of 1000 stores in the central shopping district to begin opening until 7pm every night from April last year.”

As part of the report, the City of Melbourne commissioned Sweeney Research to survey 200 city workers and 100 students on their spending habits on work or study days. The survey revealed:

  • 77 per cent buy their lunch at least once a week
  • 54 per cent buy their lunch at least every second day
  • 82 per cent estimated they spend between $5 and $15 on lunch
  • 79 per cent are willing to travel between one and three blocks to buy their lunch.

“It’s the first time research has been undertaken into where and when students and city workers spend their money on retail and hospitality in our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This research will help our business community to identify new opportunities to reach customers, who are already in the city, and are looking for more opportunities to enjoy our unique shopping and dining experiences.

“The report card shows Melbourne enjoyed a low retail vacancy rate of 2.5 per in July 2014, down from 2.6 per cent in May 2013, due to the revitalisation of the CBD through the opening of Emporium Melbourne and the influx of global brands such as H&M and UNIQLO.”

Councillor Kevin Louey, Chair of Council’s Economic Development committee said the City of Melbourne provided more than $160,000 in small business grants, and more than $480,000 to support eight recognised incorporated precinct associations within the municipality in 2013-2014.

“We are proud to provide direct support to our business community, and helped six innovative local retailers and one hospitality enterprise to set up shop amongst global brands,” Cr Louey said.

“More than 450 retail and hospitality businesses attended the City of Melbourne’s first series of five business forums held across the year.

“The forums allowed businesses to network, learn from the successes that others have achieved and exchange ideas.”

Councillor Beverley Pinder-Mortimer, Chair of Council’s Marketing Melbourne committee, said the City of Melbourne’s enviable calendar of cultural, sporting and entertainment events also contributed to busy shops and restaurants.

“We supported more than 220 city retail and hospitality businesses through our premier events and marketing campaigns such as Moomba, Melbourne Music Week and our Christmas campaign,” said Cr Pinder-Mortimer.

The Lord Mayor thanked City of Melbourne’s long standing partner in the strategy, the Victorian Government, the Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Advisory Board, and the retail and hospitality businesses for their contributions to the Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy and Report Card.

The report is available at: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enterprisemelbourne

For more information visit City of Melbourne