Easter blues tipped for shops, eateries

Canberra's retailers and restaurants will get a boost from the capital's stay-at-homers over the Easter break but the five-day weekend is still expected to be tough for the sectors.

ACT Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chris Peters says the combined Easter and Anzac Day holiday, April 22 to April 26, will be difficult for retailers who are already doing it tough.

''This will simply compound their problems,'' he said.

Airlines such as Jetstar have reported bumper outgoing bookings for the Easter break and hotel chains are expecting crowds of domestic tourists in sunnier destinations such as the Gold Coast.

With many Canberrans already heading off on holidays this week, the retail sector is looking for solace from those who are staying home over Easter.

''I think more of the people who remain in Canberra will be out and about,'' Mr Peters said.

''Retail and restaurants will get a benefit from people who remain here, but I don't think that will be enough to offset the loss from people who are likely to travel. I expect the trading period will be a bit tougher than otherwise.''

Mr Peters said the school holidays also meant trade was likely to be slow for another week or two.

Meanwhile, data issued today by CommSec shows that while the ACT economy leads the other states and territories in terms of overall performance, its retail sector was under-performing and spending was down.

Mr Peters said the struggle faced by retailers was sometimes masked by stronger performances from other parts of the economy.

''The ACT economy's the strongest in Australia and we are doing well but in the same way that Queensland has a two-speed economy, driven by the resources boom, we have a two-speed economy here and it's impacting on retail,'' he said.

''Retail continues to find it difficult but the rest of the economy is making up for it.''

While Canberra's retailers are free to open right through the Easter and Anzac Day break, Mr Peters said public holiday pay rates remained a problem for businesses.

''The two issues for them are one: the penalty rates, which are under an industrial agreement, and two: the agreement with the shopping centre. Some shopping centres require tenants to open and some don't,'' he said.

Canberra's major shopping malls are closed on Good Friday but are open for the rest of the holiday period. On Monday, most retailers are expected to stick to the Anzac Day tradition of opening only in the afternoon, after the veterans' march is over.

Westfield shopping centres at Woden and Belconnen will trade as normal at the weekend but will open from 1pm to 5pm on Monday and from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday.

The Canberra Centre will keep normal weekend trading hours and will open from 1pm to 6pm on Anzac Day.

Source: The Canberra Times