The new Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy 2013-2017 shows the retail and hospitality sectors contribute $8.7 billion, or ten per cent, to the City of Melbourne's $86 billion-plus economy each year, a statistic the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government are not shy to boast about.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said there has been a 51 per cent increase in the number of retail and hospitality outlets in the last ten years, with more than 5,100 outlets in the municipality.
"These sectors are a powerhouse for the Melbourne economy, employing more than 60,000 people which is an increase of 48 per cent over ten years," the Lord Mayor said.
"The Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy 2013-2017 is a road map for the next four years for the Council and the State Government to guide and promote further growth.
"More than 840,000 people use the city each day. There are thousands of uniquely Melbourne shopping and dining experiences to enjoy in our laneways, underground, on rooftops, in our malls, with our international retailers or in iconic department stores."
As part of the new four year strategy, the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government will work with businesses to:
- Encourage collaboration and innovation and improve government business support systems
- Find new ways of attracting people to the city and enhancing the customer experience
- Ensure the city's offering remains diverse and authentic
- Strengthen Melbourne's sustainability credentials
City of Melbourne's Marketing Melbourne portfolio chair, Councillor Beverley Pinder Mortimer, said Council initiatives like the small business and social enterprise grants, Look.Stop.Shop, the Lord Mayor's Commendations and premier events like Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and Christmas in the City are focused on improving the city's economic prosperity.
"There are many reasons why Melbourne is considered the number one retail and hospitality destination in Australia; Melbourne business owners are innovative, creative and committed to ensuring the continued growth of the city's excellent reputation in these sectors," Cr Pinder Mortimer said.
"We encourage all retail and hospitality businesses to be a part of this strategy and to get involved in the marketing and promotion of the city."
View the Melbourne Retail and Hospitality Strategy 2013-2017.
