A Fortitude Valley Valley trader who recently slammed the area’s day economy as “virtually non-existent” has had a change of heart after better-than-expected January sales.
Joseph Origliasso, pictured above, who runs the budget fashion outlet, nvy, in McWhirters, said this week the end of January 2010 has seen a surge in the daytime economy in the immediate Brunswick street mall area of Fortitude Valley.
While a few large retail outlets have moved on from the Valley, Mr Origliassso said he had been receiving lots of inquiries from what he calls “Micro Merchants’ – small businesses looking to establish themselves in the vibrant hub of the Brunswick street mall of Fortitude Valley.
“I am not a real estate agent but people are coming into my shop and making enquiries about small retail spaces for rent in this area almost daily,” Mr Origliasso said.
“I have had a number of offers to either rent or sell my shop from interested potential new businesses into the area. Unfortunately this high-volume traffic area near the Brunswich Street mall is unable to meet the demand for small retail spaces to accommodate all the new micro merchants demands but the good news is that they will spread further out in to the valley area.
“Takings at the end of January are back and are better than this time last year.
“The daytime economy is back with a surge because of new back packer travellers and overseas students replacing our lost workers. So my forecast of more shops closing in the Valley may have been premature if the customer surge continues. Tourist and students spend regularly and in their local area which is all good news for us retailers.
“All in all it’s a good result for Fortitude Valley, although traders will be experiencing a change in spending a patterns and customer traffic flow. Shoppers are coming out later in the day and into the evening and I can see the Fortitude Valley Brunswick Street area, shopping hours change to a 10am to 10pm time slot to accommodate the new customers, now shopping in the Valley.” The Valley was experiencing customer flow patterns that were normally reserved for international tourist destinations such as Hong Kong and Singapore, he said.
“The Valley will be the first area in Brisbane to enjoy this shopping trend change because of its multi cultural flavour and appeal. More micro merchants into the area will provide the assorted appeal and vibe that backpackers and international students are accustomed to and expect. “Our challenge is to meet and provide the goods and services on a daily basis that our new and existing customers expect,” Mr Origliasso said.
“It’s all good news and exciting stuff for the Brunswick Street mall area of Fortitude Valley.”
