Australia's first discount retailer turns forty
 

Kmart Australia turned forty this month and the occasion was marked with a special celebration with over 200 customers and past and present employees at the first ever Kmart in Burwood East today.

As Australia's first discount retailer, Kmart revolutionised the way Australians shop when the doors opened in 1969. A unique layout, range and bargains attracted over five thousand people by 9:30am on opening day and that core promise still exists today; providing customers with great quality products and great value.

Guy Russo, Kmarts Managing Director said, "Kmart's 40th birthday is a proud milestone for all the Kmart family, past and present. When S.S. Krege of the United States and G. J Coles of Australia brought Kmart here, they gave Australians a brand new shopping experience".

Modelled on their American counterparts with no lifts, escalators or stairs, the store's layout was also brand new to shoppers. Trolleys were introduced for the first time and the idea of product displays at eye level was novel.

Before opening in 1969, the Burwood East site was a daffodil farm, typical of the area at the time. Yet the site was at the heart of the 'new Melbourne' as residents settled on the city fringes. Kmart's arrival provided everything families needed and was a real destination for shoppers.

Bargains to be found at Kmart in 1969 included:

Retail Expo in Melbourne (11 - 13 August 2009)

This year the retail industry will be coming to Melbourne to meet face to face and experience the latest retail technology and shop fitting ideas.
 

Retail Expo is held in conjunction with the National Retail Forum from 11-13 August at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Exhibition Manager Peter O'Flynn says the show will address the current retail downturn as well as peer into the future.
 

He says "these challenging times mean the show is more important than ever. When times get tough you have to be efficient and relevant. This show will present practical ideas on improving your business and cutting costs".
 

New features such as Retail 2020 - Store of the Future and Retail Design Studio guarantee that visitors will see things they have never seen before. There will also be major displays from Pronto, Futura, Beonic, Powerfront, Polyflor, Wanzl, Checkpoint, Switched On Innovation, Gerflor, Active Display Group and many more.
 

Read more about The Retail expo by clicking here.
 

Service Skills Australia wants to hear from retail workers
 

Service Skills Australia is calling for workers in the retail industry to participate in a survey and contribute to the future direction of accredited training in Australia. In 2008, Service Skills Australia conducted an online survey in which 90% of respondents stated that their business provides on-the-job training.

But do employers and workers have different views on what training really means? Service Skills is seeking to answer this question, and explore how workers benefit from training.

The survey will provide information to the service industries about the value and uptake of on-the-job training and the awareness of accredited qualifications and certificates.

Participants have the chance to go in the draw to win a $250 gift voucher.

To participate go to www.serviceskills.com.au/surveys

This survey is completely anonymous and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

Closing date: 30 September 2009
 

Discover Hospitality

Don’t forget www.discoverhospitality.com is now live, if you could spread the word that would be great.  A flyer is also available for you to use to promote the website.  You can download the flyer by clicking here.