Retailers across South East Queensland and North East New South Wales are facing a “severe financial impact” in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
Australian Retailers Association (ARA) chief industry affairs officers Fleur Brown said it's been a real marathon of preparation and response for retailers in New South Wales and South East Queensland.
“It remains a fluid situation, so we're not fully clear of the weather event,” Brown said. “But we are relieved that it hasn't inflicted more damage or as much damage as was originally forecast.”
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there are around two-dozen flood warnings still in place across both New South Wales and Queensland, including the Logan River and Brisbane River near Brisbane as well as the North West and Central West Catchments in New South Wales.
Warnings range from minor to moderate and two rated as major.
Brown confirmed that many of its members are reporting widespread power outages in particular.
“This has meant that for many retailers, it's taking time not just to get their stores reopened safely, but to also replenish spoiled stock,” she said.
“So in the case of fresh produce or providers, or anyone who's required refrigeration and has been affected by power outages, they are taking time to clean and clear out the stock.
“It's very complicated. Things like waste recovery services are not fully in place yet, either.”
Other reported challenges include reduced staff due to cancelled transportation, some properties are believed to be affected by the adverse weather event, and the closure of schools and childcare services is impacting parents.
“What we're seeing is that stores are opening as and when they can, and there are a lot that are open,” Brown said. “There's some that are open on reduced capacity, which might mean reduced hours or reduced team members.
“And anyone who's in the fresh food and produce area is likely to be affected by certain shortages, in particular dairy and poultry items.”
Amid all this, Brown and the ARA are calling for patience from shoppers, and an understanding that the people who are serving those customers are also likely affected by the weather event.
“Overall, it's really pleasing to see that there hasn't been the forecast level of damage, generally speaking, which is a great relief.”
Shopping centres across Brisbane and the Gold Coast have tentatively re-opened over the weekend as ex-cyclone Alfred was downgraded to a tropical low. However, some centres across northern New South Wales remained closed due to flooding impacts, including Lismore Central Shopping Centre.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts showers between Brisbane and Sydney up until Friday this week.