With so much conflict in the Middle East and anti-Muslim rhetoric worldwide, including Australia, one wonders what effect Muslim influence will have on retail in Australia and elsewhere. Harrods is owned by Qatar Holdings and has recently faced boycotts due to their alleged funding of terrorist organisations. In light of recent executions of Westerners by ISIL, the backlash is understandable. This is only one example of how retail is being affected thousands of miles from the Middle
East conflicts. It is commonplace to hear criticism in Australia of companies pandering to the needs of Muslims by offering Halaal foodstuffs.
So far there have been no reports of boycotts while it is quite likely that some people are shunning these products. There is little spoken about hundreds of Kosher foodstuffs which have certification.
But why should anyone be bothered whether food is Halaal or Kosher? If it tastes good, buy it.
If you are a manufacturer or retailer, why should you be intimidated by some folk objecting to any certification on cultural or religious grounds?
Whether the dollars in the cash registers come from the pockets of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Atheists, or Zoroastrianists, as a retailer do you or should you care?
Taking this one step further, should you be specifically catering for the needs of a particular group if there is money to be made?
The Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai claim that 330,000 people visited the Mall over the Eid Al Adha weekend – double the usual footfall.
Similarly, if you are a food retailer in St Ives or the eastern suburbs of Sydney and you are not selling Kosher foodstuffs, especially at certain times on the Jewish calendar, you are most certainly missing an opportunity when the Jewish footfall is at its peak.
To not cater for certain groups means only one thing. Someone else will and it will probably be someone from such a group.
There is a butcher in St Ives, Sydney called Stanley Street Butcher. It targets South Africans with a host of products – not just meat. Until not that long ago it was owned for many years by an Australian who saw the opportunity and acted upon it.
Since then it has been bought by a South African who has expanded the range and the cash register tells the rest.
Rather than discriminate, we as retailers should capitalise on every opportunity.
If that means selling Halaal and Kosher in the same shop, so be it. It can only help to foster good vibes.
Stuart Bennie is a retail consultant at Impact Retailing www.impactretailing.com.au and can be contacted at stuart@impactretailing.com.au or 0414 631 702
