VICTORIAN CBD REOPENING

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE 7 WEEKS TRADE UNTIL XMAS SHUTDOWN

We are Open!

As the Melbourne CBD starts to emerge from lockdown a review of what has happened across the different states can help begin to identify what the road back might look like for CBD food outlets.

From other CBDs we have worked in during Covid (Sydney, Perth) we know that once health concerns are addressed and over a period of time, a sense of “semi normality” can return to CBD areas. In the short term for the Melbourne CBD a complicating factor is that the Christmas and holiday period is fast approaching. In order to begin to rebuild we suggest the following approach should be considered.

Tell The World!

Simple right? But what if there are still only a few customers? Food purchasing is about habit. Those who are returning to work will need to re-establish their patterns. Remember they will have heard that many businesses are closed or have closed. Simply reminding them that you are still here and look forward to welcoming them back should form the basis of all communication both online and especially at a store level.

Another way to let people know you are open is to consider expanding your external seating presence (safely) where possible.

Brain & Poulter can provide mentoring to help achieve the following:

1. Reassure customers – Provide a Covid safe environment and communicating this effectively is the base building block to re-establishing the business
2. Use all data available within the business to ensure that operational models, menus, margins are reworked and cashflow and sales forecasting are as accurate as possible
3. Increase dining capacity – as al fresco restrictions are eased how can this be maximised to increase venue capacity which has been reduced due to restrictions?
4. Marketing – help retailers understand where customers will come from and how to connect with them. In the short-term future there will be a need to create as well as convert traffic within the CBD
5. Research – Identify changed working conditions near your café or restaurant. As workers return with potentially staggered work times and workdays what information will be available for retailers to tailor their offers and opening hours to cater for likely peak demand?  Offer bookings for customers who may want to meet face to face again with colleagues or business partners.
6. Additional revenue opportunities – Operators should also clearly identify any catering shortfall and either innovate to maintain this to a degree or identify how to compensate for any reduction in catering. Consider how you can supply a Christmas (covid safe) Lunch pack for offices (throw in a few crackers to spread the Christmas cheer). Can you sell pre-paid coffee cards as Xmas gifts?

Click the link below to book into our successful Rebound Package.

B&P have validated 50+ criteria so far that tenants need to address in order to re-open under continued social distancing restrictions and be able to pay the rent and make a profit.
If you want to ensure tenants are in the best position to navigate how to implement new service, marketing and hygiene practices they have never had to do before, book in with a consultant today.