It could just be my store, but we've already sold 70% of the Jetwing Primes which, considering the price and the fact that every other retailer had them before us, is pretty impressive. It's more to do with the general softness in retail sales atm, which are due to a combination of people spending less in general (the reasons for which are explained more eloquently and succinctly than I could ever do, here) and the fact that our dollar is unusually high due to the combined factors of uncertainty in buying US dollars and an interst in buying AUD due to the current mining boom.Originally Posted by Decepticon
Additionally, Aussie retailers face a whole bunch of other associated costs such as higher costs of employing people, huge rent costs charged by the big property holders (Westfield, etc), and facing cost prices for goods larger than what US stores would charge as retail price. Many of these things are structural and can't be changed in the space of weeks and months (particularly as rent contracts run for years and minimum wages are governed by law). Therfore, in the short term, Aussies go online to take advantage of the high dollar, often buying goods at below what Aussie retailers could legitimately offer in order to have enough money to meet their basic requirements.
What's required is a structural shift, but that won't come in the short term.
That was a longer than expected reply, but I get a bit frustrated when people complain that their every whim isn't met the instant that they want it, or laugh at stores for aiming to buy enough product to meet demand (particularly when those same people usually complain mercilessly when the item runs out).
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