On the other hand, most of the key suppliers to specialist retailers and the professional channel have taken stands, as have most of the big names in enthusiast photography. Keen enthusiasts have another lure in the rich program of seminars and lectures. Three out of four corners of the exhibition space are occupied by lecture theatres – The Training Camp, The Digital Show Theatre and the APPA judging space.

The photographic exhibition which has complemented the annual equipment show over the past decade has been brought in from the public walkway and utilises space which hadn’t found a taker among paying exhibitors.

The schedule of lectures and seminars, along with the photo exhibition on the show floor, should serve the purpose of smoothing out peaks of activity on the stands, as attendees have alternative activities for when the larger enthusiast-oriented stands are too crowded.

With a significantly smaller number of exhibitors and stands, and a marketing campaign designed to attract an attendances of 20,000 plus, most on Saturday and Sunday, congestion could be an issue – no doubt an issue the organisers would be delighted to encounter!

To download The Digital Show catalogue (there will be no hard copy this year) click here.  You will also have complimentary access to one of Media Publishing’s latest ebooks, Mastering Digital Photography.

Photo Counter has previewed the exhibitor catalogue and nominated a few stands we think might be of interest to our predominantly retailer readership. (And with just a smidgin’ of favouritisationisticality towards our advertising supporters):

3AW's Darren James

The 3AW Broadcasting Lounge is not a stand exactly, but will certainly be a centre of activity. On Friday afternoon it will play host to Bill McCurry and his Fabulous Hot Picks. Be gobsmacked by innovation, gurn longingly at the ingenuity on show, and learn how you can make an extra buck or two.

On the Saturday and Sunday the hyper-enthusiast photographer and radio personality, Darren James, will be broadcasting on 3AW  from the show floor, from 6am until 12 noon.

- Now here’s something different: on the Aerobot stand (#31) you’ll see all manner of helicopters for cameras (multicopters to be precise) and contraptions to help airborne photographers get better shots. I think.

Aerobot’s boffins are unveiling a prototype model for the first time at the show. Model of what you might well ask? To find out, front up at stand 31. Just watch out for low-flying Canon 5Ds.

Starting to feel like a terrorist when you venture out in public with camera in hand? Sick of officious Jobsworths telling you what you can’t do? Visit the Arts Freedom stand (#55) Arts Freedom is working to educate people who are not aware of their eroding rights and loss of freedom of expression caused by the imposition of fascistic laws on photography in public places. As a fund-raiser, Arts Freedom is holding a Dutch Auction of some iconic works by some of Australia’s top photographers.

Drop by the APS stand (#62) for a warm welcome by Rob Dessmann and the APS team. The new ‘world first’ ID Station Biometrics Business in a Box passport photography package for retailers will be a highlight on the APS stand (see separate story), which will also feature the full and burgeoning APS/Brands Australia product portfolio, not least the re-emerging Polaroid digital instant range.  

Blond Robot (Stand 61) is a rare newcomer to the annual photo show. Stand-out brand is GoPro, which from all accounts has proven a winner with its active lifestyle camera range. Drop by if only to find out why the fruit someone would call their distribution business ‘Blond Robot’. (I know I will!)

Not a million miles from GoPro in application, if not in design, is the Contour camera range from distributor Meeco Sales, another new exhibitor (Stand 52c). The cylindrical Contour range of cameras are designed for snow sports, biking. motorsports and the like. And just in case, they are waterproof to one metre. Meeco Sales might be looking for some new specialist distributors. Looking at the store locator on its website, there’s a concentration on capital cities and Harvey Norman. And to paraphrase someone else’s witticism, ‘the worse thing than not having Harvey Norman as a customer – is having Harvey Norman as a customer!’

DES (Stand 64) has distinguished itself by producing a press release for the show – so we’ll honour the effort. Among the new releases on show from this well-established digital fine art and photo media solutions specialist is the Xrite i1Pro2 professional colour management solution, described as ‘the next generation of Spectro’. There will be regular demonstrations of accurate colour measurement, calibration and profiling using the new Xrite system.

In addition, products being rolled out by DES at the show will include i1Display
Pro, ColorMunki Photo and Color Checker Passport. There’s always something to learn, and always something going on at the DES stand, no matter whether you are a pro or retailer seeking ways to improve the quality of your output.

Digiframe (Stand 28) must be doing something right! A regular exhibitor and an early player in the now (somewhat buggered) digital frame market, Scott and Lil Jolly are down from Queensland once again to show you what they’ve got. And that includes some nifty little photo scanners and a new line of in-store digital signage for retailers.

High-end colour monitor specialist Eizo (Stand 79) has a genuine world-first on its stand which shouldn’t be missed – the ‘first true 4K monitor (4096 x 2160 pixels) in the world’ . It’s been brought over from Japan exclusively for The Digital Show. The sexily-named FDH3601 is a 4K x 2K resolution, 36-inch LCD monitor with LED backlight which enables full 4K playback with true 10-bit colour, powered by AMD’s latest graphics card technology. Check out what the future (of soft display, at least) looks like.

Don’t rush past the Epson stand (#58) without giving the new Epson Surelab the once-over. This would have to be the must-see grey box for specialist retailers. It’s been an interesting year for advances in inkjet photo printing, and Epson has made it more interesting with this move into minilabs. (See separate story.)

Metallic-look papers have become fashionable over the last couple of year. Giclee (Stand 15) has a new Slickrock Metallic Pearl 260 stock which it says delivers a 3D-like effect and works a treat with black & white in particular.

Our good friends at Independent Photographic Supplies (Stand 50) have built a business from the ground up for specialist independent retailers. With Noritsu not exhibiting this year, the iPhoto stand is the place to go to check out new Noritsu dry lab technology, and the rest of the ‘soup-to-nuts’ iPhoto product portfolio for specialist photo retailers. Pat Hugron from online photo retailing software specialist Dakis will fly in from Canada for the show, and Stuart, Rob and Bruno will be wanting you as a new recruit for the IPI marketing program they have brought over from the US. Visit them on Stand 50.

Who be JJC? Could be worth dropping in at Stand 41 to hunt up some high-margin, long-tail-type lines. JJC (also down from Queensland) distributes a range of remote timers, wireless shutter releases, and lens and camera accessories and cleaning kits.

It’s highly likely that staff on the Maxwell stand (35) will be flat out during the show, so drop in on the Friday to check out new releases and any show specials on offer. With Tamron, Lowepro, Joby, Lensbaby and Cokin in its busy portfolio, there’s a lot to see on the Maxwell stand, and it’s always a pleasure to to spend some time with John Swainston and Paul Gibbs – even if it’s just the once a year. Maxwell has high expectations for the new Tamron 10 – 24mm lens for the second half of the year.

Nova Sublimation distributes the Chromaluxe range of wall decor photo panels, which will be  featured prominently on Stand 39 in various sizes and mediums. ChromaLuxe is the leading brand manufacturer of high definition sublimatable (is that a real word?) photo panels in aluminium or wood. They are fade resistant, won’t yellow, are abrasion and scratch resistant, stain resistant and easy to clean.

Ozical (Stand 74) is another company which keeps on keeping on. The year after Jessie He first appeared at the annual show with a small stand and a brace of inexpensive Otek-branded digital compacts and camcorders, it was frankly a surprise to see her back. That was about 10 years ago. Since then the range has become broader and Ozical is now moving to new lines such as a 3D HD Camcorder, and even exotica like inspection cameras and a dashboard camera. Always worth a visit.

While HP won’t be at the show, distribution partner Photo Direct will be, promoting Lifepics online photo ordering software and its other product lines such as the Gallerie Wrap Framing System, personalised gift wrapping paper and cool-looking MyTego mobile phone skins.

Good to see Tasco fronting up to another show (Stand 24). While Ricoh is now over with CR Kennedy, Kevin Johnson’s team has a lot more to talk about, such as the new Go-Cam, a challenger to the current dominance of the Go-Pro active camera range, as well as GE cameras, camera bags, tripods and other accessories by the dozen – and of course its long-established binocular and telescope range.

Implementation is complete in Perth and underway at key Canon Pro Dealer locations in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.

‘The feedback we’re receiving from Perth, where the rollout is complete, tells us that this model is delivering working professionals what they need – fast, consistent service and convenience,’ says Alan Brightman, manager, Professional Imaging, Canon Australia.

‘With service agents able to assess and accept equipment in most capital cities, CPS members outside Sydney and Melbourne will no longer have to manage logistics of sending equipment to Sydney for diagnosis and repair.’

In Sydney, the CPS headquarters is relocating from Canon’s North Ryde office to Sun Studios, Alexandria, a location chosen specifically for its proximity to many of the city’s  working photographers.

Additionally, Kayell Photographics and L&P Digital Photographic are appointed to service the northern suburbs of Sydney.

‘We saw real benefit in moving the CPS team from North Ryde to a location that was already an established professional photography destination located right in the heartland of our customers,’ said Mr Brightman. ‘The excellent support that CPS already provides in Sydney will be complemented by Sun Studios’ own service offering which is an added benefit for CPS members.’

In Melbourne, Kayell, Sun Studios and Ted’s South Melbourne will act as service agents.

The full list of CPS agencies is:
Sydney
· Kayell Australia
· L&P Digital Photographic
Melbourne
· Kayell Australia
· Sun Studios
· Ted’s South Melbourne
Brisbane 
· Brisbane Camera House
· Digital Camera Warehouse
· Photo Continental
· Teds Brisbane
Canberra 
· Ted’s Canberra
Adelaide 
· Photographic Wholesalers
· Ted’s Adelaide
Perth 
· Camera Electronic
· Team Digital

Dick Smith is not only closing up to 100 outlets, it's also getting out of the on-site photo printing business.

This comes in addition to the closure of up to 100 Dick Smith stores currently underway, and will see the remaining outlets in the chain, for which parent Woolworths Ltd is looking for a buyer, no longer in the photo printing business.

Not all Dick Smith outlets had Frontier labs installed – they were concentrated in the physically larger stores. Snapfish continues to run a Dick Smith-branded website offering online photo services.

The pulling out of photo services has not been announced by Woolworths Ltd head office (Photo Counter is awaiting a response) but reports from retailers, on shoppers’ websites, and calls made to several Dick Smith outlets all point towards confirmation of the withdrawal from the photo business.

The Photo Lab icon has also been removed from the store locator on the DSE website.

‘It’s all over,’ explained one store manager. ‘The labs are coming out of all stores.’

(He advised that the nearby KMart outlet offered a print service.)

At least some stores are or were running sales to clear their remaining paper, chemistry and thermal media, according to a contributor to consumer website Ozbargain:

Some Dick Smith stores have been offering prints at five cent a pop to clear paper and chemistry supplies.

‘DSE are getting rid of their ‘photo labs’. So 6×4-inch photos are on sale for 5 cents until the store’s ink, film etc, runs out. Supposedly…this is across ALL DSE stores, but I can only vouch for the store I was at.’ – The information was attributed to a Dick Smith sales person.  .

It appears that the chain is also exiting from related lines such as albums and frames.

Reports from New Zealand indicate that the same closure of Dick Smith photo labs is occurring over there as well.

NOTE: At time of publication Woolworths corporate affairs office had not responded to our requests for confirmation. We’ll take that as a ‘yes’! 

The Epson Surelab SL D4000, on the Epson stand at DRUPA in Dusseldorf last week, should attract retailer attention at The Digital Show.

The new 6-colour Epson SureLab SL-D3000 is an easy-to-use digital dry lab for high quality photo prints and cards up to A3 size. It features Epson printheads, new Epson UltraChrome D6 dye ink and image processing technology, and is designed for on-demand print services in traditional minilab retail environments.

It can print on glossy, matte and lustre media, at up to 650 prints per hour. Maximum print length is 1.2m. Compatibility with matte media opens up greater opportunities for retailers to take on signage work in addition to consumer photo orders.

Epson technology has been used in Noritsu’s well-proven dry lab range for the last few years, but this is the company’s direct entry with a branded product and all in-house technology. It follows the announcement in March of the Dreamlabo 5000 from Canon, a much larger ($500,000+) wholesale fulfillment/pro lab duplex inkjet printer.

Now the ‘Big 3′ in photo-quality inkjet printing, Canon, Epson and HP, are all offering products for retail photo printing, with the new Epson printer a direct alternative to some of HP’s in-store inkjet printing technology.

More broadly, the announcement of the Surelab SL 3000 is a component of a new Epson direction, which focusses sharply on technologies for production and industrial print applications.

The new Epson ‘Engineered for Print’ strategy flags an intention to develop and market  products and technologies for customers in the signage, label, photo, and textile markets, with goals of doubling its product line-up in the next few years and quadrupling revenue from industrial printing.

The SL-D3000 utilizes Epson’s Micro Piezo printhead technology, in combination with Epson’s original ink and LUT (Look Up Table), to deliver accurate reproduction and a maximum resolution of 1440x1440dpi. Epson’s UltraChrome D6 6-colour photo ink-set achieves a colour gamut that exceeds that of silver halide, yielding prints that Epson says are ‘vivid and lifelike with excellent black density’.

Minimal maintenance, energy efficient

The power-efficient SL-D3000 uses significantly less energy than a wet lab, and does not need a water supply, air filter or chemicals, reducing impact on the environment and the total cost of ownership. Further lowering the cost per print, the printhead and LUT are carefully configured to use ink economically while maintaining the best print quality.

The SL-D3000. does not require highly-skilled operators. The optional ‘OrderController’ software, which includes basic photo retouching, makes setting up jobs easy. The SL-D3000 begins printing quickly without the need to warm-up chemicals, and can automatically move finished prints to an optional A4 job sorter.

Epson claims the only regular maintenance required is consumables replacement.

For placement flexibility and easy installation, the SL-D3000 has wheels and a small footprint. It can be positioned in a corner to save space, as it is operated from two adjacent sides.

The dual-roll model allows two different media types and/or two different roll widths to be loaded simultaneously for versatility and improved productivity. A single-roll configuration will also be available.

Specific pricing and availability details for the local market have not yet been revealed, but overseas pricing would indicate a fully configured D3000 should  be well under $100,000.

The new DNP passport system from JA Davey is built around the latest DNP dye transfer printer, the DS ID-400.

The ID400 features convenient wireless operation, and a 60-second print production cycle.

Regulations for ID and passport photos have become more and more demanding. With state-of-the-art face-detection and automatic face alignment, the DNP DS-ID400 helps ensure passport and ID work is consistently compliant with the relevant regulations.

The majority of international passport and ID formats are pre-stored in the printer with custom templates easily added using DNP ID software. The ID400 also saves to memory, enabling the rretailer to up-sell a USB flash-drive together with the prints!

The new DNP DS-ID400 system is offered with either a Canon Powershot SX40HS or a Canon EOS 1100D. Pictures are transferred via Wireless LAN via a dedicated SD Wi-Fi card – there is no need to take a memory card out of the camera and insert it into the printer or kiosk, nor are there cables to get in the way. Simply ‘capture – review – print’: a simple three step process on the camera, taking less than one minute from start-finish.

Like the previous Sony UPX-C200 and UPX-C300 systems, the new DNP DS-ID400 system prints on Sony UPC-X34 and X46 passport photo media.

‘As the Australian distributor for DNP, J.A. Davey Pty Ltd, realises the importance of high-margin passport and ID photo services for our partners in retail. Simplicity, reliability, and convenience are the three major demands that we understand from our customers, and these are the three things the ID400 delivers,’ said Jon McBriar, product manager, Photographics, JA Davey.

Mr McBriar said the new DNP DS ID400 is the easiest to use and most cost-effective solution on the market.

JA Davey is offering owners of Sony UPX-C200 and UPX-C300 passport systems an update with the DNP ID400 printer. Using a USB adaptor, they can connect their existing UPX camera via Bluetooth and continue to enjoy their current workflow.

Australian sales of DNP DS-ID400 will commence in July 2012. Pricing will vary depending on the configuration and components ordered.

Please visit http://www.fotolusio.com.au for more information or contact Jon McBriar on (03) 9646 5488

The lens range is equivalent to 24 – 480mm in 35mm format. An LCD touch screen provides additional support to users in the fast and simple handling of the camera. Its compact design, comprehensive functions and additional features, such as an integrated GPS module and video recording in full HD resolution, make the V-Lux 40 an ideal travel camera.

The new 15.3-megapixel, 1/2.33-inch CMOS image sensor enables a higher dynamic range as well as particularly low-noise in images at sensitivities up to ISO 3200. In comparison with its predecessor, the Leica V-Lux 40 now offers significantly improved image quality, even in low light. In addition to this, its autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds enables even faster focusing on moving subjects.

The Leica V-Lux 40 offers a comprehensive range of camera functions. Users can choose from a wide selection of creative imaging options – from a continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second at full resolution, and even 60 frames per second in high-speed mode, to creative modes with effects like miniature, panorama and retro.

It is also ideal for video recording. The entire 20x zoom range is available during video recording and an integrated stereo microphone with an electronic wind noise filter guarantees a crystal-clear soundtrack. Videos can now also be saved in internet-friendly MP4 format and can be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, without any need for conversion.

An integrated GPS module allows users to save the geographical coordinates and local time of every shot captured in the Exif data of the image files. In addition, the camera can also display the sightseeing highlights of the immediate neighbourhood (1,000,000 so-called ‘points of interest’). A DVD included in the package contains maps of important cities and regions. After transfer to an SD memory card, these can be uploaded to the camera and used for orientation in unfamiliar places. Photos can be stored in the maps as thumbnail images.

The new design of the Leica V-Lux 40 is dominated by classic black, with chromed elements. The 3-inch LCD touch screen (460K dots) allows users to select or set numerous functions in capture and review mode simply by touching controls displayed on the monitor screen.

The Leica V-Lux 40 is available now from authorised Leica dealers at an RRP of $749. It is supplied with an extensive software package comprising Photoshop Elements (stills) and Premiere (video).

The Leica X2 features a new, APS-C-format, professional CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP) in combination with a high-performance Leica Elmarit 24 mm f2.8 ASPH lens.

The autofocus system has also been improved, according to the marketing material: ‘It adapts to all shooting situations with enormous flexibility and enables fast, extremely precise and almost silent focusing’. The camera offers numerous setting options from full manual control to total automatic operation.

It’s rare to have a APS-sized image sensor in a compact camera, and the physically large CMOS picture elements (pixels) deliver low image noise, a high dynamic range and accurate colour differentiation. Low light performance should be superior to the smaller sensors found in most compacts.

The Leica Elmarit 24mm lens has an effectively 35mm focal length – the classic photojournalist’s prime lens.

The Leica X2 design is characterised by clear lines and classic simplicity. The linearity of its design and its compact, handy form are reminiscent of Leica M-series cameras. It features a robust, all-metal construction and premium, high-grip leather trim, and the camera is available in a discreet black or elegant silver finish.

Switching between manual and automatic control is easy, enabling photographers to concentrate completely on composing their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot in any situation.

The dials on the top deck provide grip when setting the shutter speed and aperture. Moreover, changing the plane of focus, the white balance, and other imaging parameters allows photographers to consciously influence the look or mood of their images. In live view mode, the high-contrast 2.7-inch monitor offers photographers complete control at all times and a bright and detailed view, even in strong light.

The camera also features a pop-up flash that can be activated whenever required. If more lighting power and flexibility are required, the accessory shoe of the X2 offers full compatibility with the Leica SF 24D and SF 58 system flash units.

An extensive range of accessories is also available: a Viso-Flex high-resolution electronic accessory finder with 1.4 megapixels and a 90-degree swivel function for shooting from unusual angles; a bright-line mirror finder that can be mounted on the accessory shoe and ensures a bright and clear view at all times, with no drain on the camera battery; and an accessory handgrip that increases the grip and stability of the camera and makes it easier to shoot one-handed.

Leica continues to offer a comprehensive range of bags and cases: a premium-quality black leather case to match the elegance of the X2, an ergonomically designed camera protector in untreated leather, an ever-ready case in organically tanned cowhide to protect the camera during use, and a system bag that offers more room for the camera and a range of accessories.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is also included in the X2 package. This digital image processing software offers a wide range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images.

The Leica X2 is available from authorised Leica dealers for an RRP $2499.

‘For over 12 years the PMA Young Achiever Award has been a very successful event and in 2011 the program was expanded, making training available to an even larger group of future industry leaders with wider eligibility for entrants,’ said Paul Rogers (pictured right), Fujifilm Australia general manager, Consumer Imaging.

‘The objective of the program is to expose future leaders to training and techniques that will make them better employees for the entire industry. We see this program as incredibly worthwhile. I’m delighted to say that for the 2012 event Fujifilm will be a Platinum Sponsor.’

We asked Mr Rogers whether this sponsorship did reflect a revived interest in the specialist channel, and he responded thus:

‘Fujifilm has been part of the Australian photographic industry for over 50 years. It’s something we are proud of and passionate about.

‘As Fujifilm are in a unique position of offering high quality cameras and high quality silver halide prints, we are now focussing our messaging and brand to be more around the complete tactile experience of The Art of Photography.

‘The PMA Young Achiever program is important to the whole industry as it assists in the identification and development of our future leaders. Thus, as one of the industry’s major players, we see sponsorship of the program as a logical thing to do,and we’re delighted to be a part of it.

‘Another point to note is that, with Fujifilm’s launch of our X series range of digital cameras (including the X100 and X Pro 1) this gives us even more relevancy to Photo Specialty and Professional customers, and we will strive to support and engage them in every way we can moving forward.

In 2011, 55 participants took part in the first Future Leaders Program Workshops in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, from a variety of retail, wholesale, professional photography and picture framing businesses.

This year the program will be conducted in Sydney and Melbourne, and PMA is encouraging all members to nominate staff to participate.

The one-day workshops were developed and run by PMA’s long-time training partner, The Friedman Group. Friedman Group training is distinguished by its focus on developing sales metrics for staff members and holding them accountable for results.

For more details on the Future Leaders Program or PMA membership, call Kathy Warlum on 02 9454 2444, kwarlum@pmai.org

COMMENT: We have been told by a number of well-informed sources that Fujfilm is making efforts both here and in New Zealand to re-connect with specialist retailers. This new Fujifilm support for the PMA Future Leaders Program is welcome in itself, and could also be a manifestation of this renewed interest in the specialist channel. It’s no secret that Fujifilm managing director, Dave Marshall, has seen the specialist channel as a bit player in ‘the industry’ – as he sees it. Here’s what he said to a PMA-organised industry meeting in Sydney last year: 

‘‘Hands up consumer electronics retailers in the room? Hands up mass merchants in the room?’ (to a display of no hands).

‘Whether we like it or not,’ he continued, ‘Industries are industries. Consumer and mass accounts for probably 77 percent of the industry, so we have 23 percent represented in the room. (He later revised the contribution of the specialty channel down to around 15 percent, a figure he said was based on discussions with PMA International.)

‘It [the photo specialty channel] is not going to grow our industry…’

The specialist channel would benefit from more Fujifilm support  - though it now has independent alternatives in IPS, Photo Direct and APS. Could it be that Fujifilm has changed its corporate mind about the relevance – indeed, the continued existence – of its most loyal group of customers? Let’s hope so!  
- Keith Shipton

Alan Small,
Taree Camera House
While this was clearly a political rather than an an economic budget, it is a bit like the curate’s egg – not all bad. It is yet to be determined whether the budget will have a positive effect on consumer attitudes, however the extra financial support for ‘the battlers’ (I thought we small retailers might qualify for that title!) will generate additional dollars that may find their way into the tills of retailers.

This may be especially true of the education payments. The tripling of the tax-free threshold from July 1 must modestly add to spending power of low income people. However, despite earlier promises, there was no direct support for small business, especially in regard to company tax cuts.

For all its positive and negative points, the budget is unlikely to generate an immediate effect on the behaviour of consumers and their sluggish spending habits; this is the biggest barrier to a stronger economy.

But the sun will still rise tomorrow and we all simply must adapt and get on with the job and focus on survival in this complex economy. We will adapt or disappear – as nothing will bring back the economy we once enjoyed. The landscape has changed forever.

Alan Logue,
Hutt St Photos, Adelaide
Currently in San Francisco and not really up to speed on what was in it. Seems like a bit of a non-event from what I’ve read, with minimal support for small business. Personally, I’d rather be rewarded for doing well than doing badly!
It’s a shame they could not cut the duty free allowance on more than cigarettes which might help to reduce the importation of hardware from overseas.

Nic Peasley,
Ted’s Cameras
We remain cautious on trading conditions for the coming year and the budget reflects the governments’ lack of optimism. Having said that, we are excited about the strength of the main manufacturers’ ranges this year, particularly in Compact System Cameras and from Nikon, and Canon in DSLR.

We will take a measured approach during business planning although some positives did come out of last nights budget, particularly around the $600 family payment and the potential for further rate cuts this year, which we hope will free up spending.

Phil Gresham
Fotofast, Brisbane
Time will tell, nothing in it that is real for small business that will make an immediate effect, which was what we are needing. Consumer confidence may lift and we are told the latest survey has indicated this, but will it continue? Mother’s Day sales are the only bright light in months of soft trading.

Stephen Perris
Byron Photo Magic, Byron Bay
Nothing I could see that is of any great benefit to my small business. I think people are still saving (or paying off) rather than spending, with fixed costs continuing to rise and income not.

This will allow a company to apply operating losses to a preceding years income to reduce tax liabilities. So if a retailer made a profit in 2012/13 on which they paid tax, they could claim that tax back at the end of 2013/14 – if they made a loss. (The scheme is not applicable to the 2011/12 tax year.)

The maximum refund of previously paid taxes that small business will receive is $300,000 (as eligible losses will be capped at $1 million). This applies only to companies – not partnerships or sole traders, so only benefits 110,000 of Australia’s 2.7 million small businesses.

It should apply to many photo retailing businesses, however, as employing staff and leasing premises generally dictates that a business be incorporated.

‘This will, support business when they need it – providing an injection of funds to invest in new ideas, equipment and markets,’ said The Treasurer, Mr Swan.

‘This is a welcome announcement as it will provide business people with better means to manage change and manage difficult times in their business cycle.

‘This idea has come from many business groups, including COSBOA, and provides another way for businesses to plan and manage their business activities.

‘No one business will ever be unaffected by change and this decision means that those who are hit hard by overnight changes in technology and international trading conditions may be able to better manage that change.

‘The people involved will be able to better manage stress and then develop new plans, new products and new processes knowing that any loss can be carried back to free up cash flow.’

Mr Strong warned that the process to claim the carry back has to be easy and manageable. We need to ensure that this decision is not watered down by poor process,’ he said. ‘Accountants with an understanding of small business, such as those from the Institute of Public Accountants, need to be consulted in the design of the process and it must be easy to use and not costly for the business person, otherwise the process will defeat the purpose.

Small business owners will also be able to write off any new business asset they buy up to a value of $6500 except for vehicles, where the write off is for assets worth up to $5000. This will be available to all forms of small business including sole traders, etc.

‘Good in parts’, says retailers’ group

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said retailers would view last night’s Federal Budget announcement with mixed feelings after it gave some relief to business and households but didn’t go far enough in providing long- lasting support for a struggling sector.

ARA president Roger Gillespie said the Budget had fallen short for retailers and the scrapping of the promised one percent reduction in business tax showed government was financing a return to surplus by penalising business.

The gave a tick to the tax loss carry back scheme, asset write-offs under $6500, the extension of the Small Business Advisory Service, and the spending stimulus from Family Tax A and the ‘Schoolkids bonus’.

‘ARA is disappointed retailers will suffer from the abandonment of an important promised tax cut from 30 to 29 percent,’ said Mr Gillespie.

‘ARA is concerned the Government has given with one hand through initiatives for business and consumers but taken with the other with no compensation for the Carbon Tax or superannuation increases, which will hit retailer and consumer confidence once short term Budget benefits wear off.’