CBD businesses to leverage increased city activity with extended trading hours
CBD traders can cash in on increased foot traffic and tourism during LIV Golf and the festival season thanks to extended trading hours.
An exemption approved by the Government of South Australia, supported by the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), allows traders to open until 6:00 pm on Saturdays between 15 February and 22 March, with the option of opening at 9:00 am, rather than 11:00 am, on Sundays.
The extended hours are expected to boost sales and provide increased employment opportunities for workers.
AEDA data showed that extended hours during last year’s festival season increased visitation to Runde Mall by 22 per cent, and spending by 18 per cent.
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor of Adelaide and AEDA Board Member Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM says the move is a welcome boost for the local economy
In Short
- CBD shops will be open until 6:00 pm on Saturdays between 15 February and 22 March
- The additional trading hours for shoppers contributed to city retail spend increasing 14 per cent to $127 million during 2023’s festival season.
- MallFest will transform Rundle Mall into a vibrant hub of activity, offering extended shopping hours, a bar and pizzeria and an array of live street performers and DJs, all aimed at significantly elevating the shopping experience.
“Extra shopping hours were an overwhelming success for Rundle Mall during last year’s festival season, and we’re thrilled they are back again and extended to include the LIV Golf weekend,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“South Australians and interstate and overseas visitors want to shop for longer and later in Rundle Mall when there are festivals, sport and major events happening in the city.
“This is an opportunity for city retailers to increase their sales by capitalising on the many millions of extra people who will come through the city in February and March.
“For visitors, it means you can shop in Rundle Mall till 6pm, then go straight for dinner and drinks or to see a show, instead of going home when stores would’ve normally closed and coming back later.”
Under the exemptions, employees must voluntarily agree to work extra hours.
The announcement comes as Rundle Mall today launches its curated entertainment program, MallFest, to coincide with the festival period and extended trading hours.
DJs will be stationed at the Gawler Place Canopy spinning tunes, while daily live street performers entertain crowds.
On Fridays through to Sundays, the MallFest Bar & Pizzeria will be open under the Gawler Place Canopy, serving Mollydooker Wines and Svago Cucina pizzas.
Coinciding with WOMADelaide, Rundle Mall’s live music program will return under the name ‘World of Music’ on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 March, with performers bringing an international flavour to the precinct.
AEDA General Manager Greg Ratsch says extended trading hours, coupled with MallFest, will make Rundle Mall the place to be during the festival season.
“We know that people want to shop for longer and later in Rundle Mall when there are festivals, sports and other major events happening in the city," Mr Ratsch said.
“With thousands of interstate and overseas tourists in town during February and Mad March, this is a significant economic opportunity for city retailers to capitalise on the additional foot traffic."
Attorney-General Kyam Maher MLC says extra trading hours give small businesses an opportunity to compete with the bigger players.
“These extended trading hours are a great example of our shop trading reforms working, with both businesses and unions coming together to support these increased opportunities for the CBD.”