Welcome to the November issue of xpress.

Business SA recently welcomed the State Government’s decision to implement the comprehensive reform of South Australia’s shop trading hours.

We have long called for more flexibility with local shop trading hours and Business SA worked with the SDA and the State Government to deliver this outcome.

The changes will deliver more trading hours over this year’s Christmas period and long term public holiday trading in the CBD.

Increasing shop trading hours over Christmas creates more opportunities for shoppers to support local businesses, which boosts employment and generates many flow-on effects throughout the economy.

Opening shops on public holidays from next year throughout the CBD is also a major boost for shoppers, for workers, for businesses and for tourism.

Having businesses in the CBD able to open on the majority of public holidays, as we saw over Easter this year, will create a new level of vibrancy which will also compliment the new Adelaide Oval re-development.

Each year we see the economic success of flexible shopping hours in other parts of the country and these reforms take a big step forward in meeting the progressive expectations of businesses and consumers.

Speaking of meeting expectations, it was pleasing that the Reserve Bank cut interest rates earlier this month.

Increasing consumer demand in the lead up to Christmas is vital for the local economy, particularly retailers, and this is the ideal time to encourage shoppers to get out and start spending.

As outlined in this issue of xpress, the latest Business SA Survey of Business Expectations reveals that local business confidence has fallen to its lowest point since early 2007.

The continued decrease in business confidence reflects the concern surrounding the proposed carbon tax, the high value of the Australian dollar, rising costs for businesses and weak consumer confidence.

In this issue of xpress we take a look at the Business SA Export Awards and pay tribute to the winners who will now go on to represent South Australia at the National awards next month.

We also outline some of the assistance being offered by Business SA and catch up with a couple of Business SA members.

Until next edition, Peter Vaughan