The National Retailers Association (NRA) has expressed its concern over Daniel Andrews' 'pause' on easing restrictions for metro Melbourne.
The Premier throughout last week suggested that the easing of restrictions set for November 01 – which includes the opening of retail and hospitality – could be brought forward, but yesterday instead announced a 'cautious pause' on easing the restrictions.
Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp tweeted that the decision to pause the easing erodes the confidence of businesses who are struggling to stay afloat.
"We are bitterly disappointed by today’s announcement that provides no certainty for businesses across our city - particularly those in hospitality and retail.
"All Melburnians have done an amazing job to stop the spread of the virus and our rolling 14-day average is below five.
"Changing the goal posts is confidence shattering for businesses that are struggling to hold on.
"Every day is critical to keeping Melburnians in jobs and saving businesses," she said.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that public health and safety should be the number one priority and that New South Wales is a good example of the balance between keeping COVID contained and having the economy open.
"The entire Victorian community has suffered immensely during COVID-19, but retailers in particular have been hit hard.
"Many of them will be banking on a bumper Christmas harvest to keep their businesses afloat, but to do that they need certainty.
"It goes without saying that the health and wellbeing of the public is a priority, but there are also consequences for any unnecessary delays in lifting restrictions.
"New South Wales has shown how to effectively balance containing COVID-19 outbreaks while also keeping the economy relatively open.
"The next two months are going to be make or break for thousands of Victorian retailers and all the people they employ," she said.
Lamb added that the significant contribution that Victorian retailers make to the national economy - especially during Christmas - should not be understated.
"The Christmas trade period is worth more than $13 billion to the Victorian economy, its importance cannot be overstated.
"Delays and uncertainty aren’t going to help Victorian retailers as we head into the holiday season.
"As the second-biggest city in Australia, any adverse economic impact on Melbourne does have a flow-on effect to the rest of the nation and it’s vital that we get the city’s retailers trading again with safety protocols in place," she said.
Meanwhile, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association Paul Zahra said that the opening of retail could not come a day too soon.
"We know from the last lockdown when retail reopened, there was pent-up demand for consumers wanting to hit the shops.
"Retailers make up to two-thirds of their profits at this time of year and that cash has never been more desperately needed.
"We need to stick to a firm reopening date to give the retail sector time to prepare their staff and their customers.
"Every day we get closer to Christmas will create a greater safety challenge to retailers in managing pent up demand and crowds.
"Not only are businesses needing to prepare for any COVID-related measures, they also need to be getting ready for Christmas, which includes potentially hiring extra workers and ordering and merchandising new inventory," he said.
Zahra added that any further delays to the opening will prove to be detrimental to jobs, livelihoods and the sector more broadly.
"We can no longer say there is no alternative, when we can see successful alternative paths to managing these outbreaks within NSW.
"We must start taking care of both lives and livelihoods or the broader health and business consequences will be catastrophic.
"The extended lockdowns are destroying thousands of retail jobs – and whilst retailers are doing everything they can to stay optimistic and keep their teams employed, many can’t hold on much longer.
"Every day of delay is costing us more jobs – most of which are held by women and young people.
"A quarter of the country’s retail sales come from Victoria, and as the logistics capital of the country, most retail warehousing and distribution is based in Victoria.
"It’s not Christmas without Victoria," he said.
Statements from the Premier's office indicate that the further easing of restrictions may be announced during this week.
If everything goes to the original plan, retailers will be allowed to open from November 02.