How retail stores are changing in our regional towns

WATCH: How retail stores are changing in our regional towns

Transcript

00:00Have you noticed that the nature of retail stores in your town seems to be changing?

00:04And did you know that you're probably contributing to that as more and more

00:08Australians opt for online shopping and click and collect? In the last couple of years we've

00:12seen major brands like Ali Fashion, Rivers and Michelle's Petitionary shut down and a lot of

00:17department stores across Australia are really struggling. While the Australian Bureau of

00:22Statistics stats have shown that retail trade went up by 3.8% in the year to April 2025,

00:28there's been a huge jump in the rise of online shopping. In April 2020, Australians spent $2,800

00:35million on online shopping. By April 2025, that figure had jumped to $4,500 million.

00:41What does all of that mean for the fabric of our regional towns? Fundamentally,

00:46it means less people on the street, less foot traffic and less walk-ins for retail and food

00:51and beverage. But is it something that we should be concerned about? Well, Caleb Brinton, who is

00:56the manager of office leasing at Collier's in the ACT, said we probably shouldn't be too worried.

01:01While we are seeing a big turnover in the types of stores that are staying retail, those that are

01:07really innovative and keen to move with the trends are surviving. Caleb said those that are less

01:12innovative or maybe less flexible to the conditions of the current market are the ones that are starting

01:16to fold. Generally, there are of course exceptions. So while we're seeing the nature of retail stores

01:22change across Australia, it doesn't necessarily mean that the fabric of your regional town is becoming

01:27unwoven. What are you seeing in the place where you live?