What's Selling In - Point Pirie, SA
E Street Kidswear owner Paula Meyers is well acquainted with the domino effect theory.
As a regional retailer - whose client base is sourced from the northern, rural areas of South Australia - she understands that a bad drought will inevitably crack its way down to her Point Pirie children's boutique. If a farmer's spending power diminishes, she laments, so too does her bottom line.
"There hasn't been a lot of rain in the last few weeks. Actually, it's been pretty disappointing over the last couple of seasons and with all the water restrictions, it's getting a lot harder."
"We're a retail centre for a lot of the smaller towns around us. The rising cost of living is making it tough to pay bills for everyone."
Meyers, who first opened her store in 2000, says regular customers help keep her business on track during these difficult periods. Given their ongoing support, Meyers says personalised customer service, a broad range of labels and options (she caters for 0000 to 16 year olds) and the odd discount are a must.
"We're always price conscious too. Our dearest labels are probably Ouch or SP Girl or Purr. It's hard to sell clothes that pass the $40 retail mark especially when you're competing with surf labels."
Merlins of Pt Pirie sales assistant Jennifer Mummery also understands the importance of competitive prices. The boutique, located along Alexander St, caters to males and females of all ages with brands such as G-Unit, Rock Eagle and Nine. Mummery says despite an ongoing change of ownership over the last ten years, the store has always targeted its wares - which include apparel, jewellery and homewares - to a broad range of consumers.
"I've been working here quite a few years and I love seeing the lots of different fads that go in and out of fashion. I get to meet lots of great people too."
Lowdown
Population: 16000
Location: 223km north of Adelaide
Stores:E Street Kidswear, Merlins of Pt Pirie
Brands:Ouch, SP Girl, Purr, G-Unit, Rock Eagle, Nine
By Assia Benmedjdoub