While high interest rates, skyrocketing oil prices and a decline consumer confidence have deeply affected investor sentiment in the retail sector, the service sector continues to thrive.
ecowash mobile operations director Stewart Nicholls says he has seen no downturn in business during a trying period for Australian retailers.
“There has certainly been a tightening of the belt in most households thanks to the effect of interest rates and petrol hikes, and the retails sector is struggling as a result. But if anything our business has surged forward to the point where we are struggling to service demand,” he said.
Nicholls believes the reason the service sector is booming is due to time poor people.
“Any business that offers convenience and enables people to maximise what little time they have is going to have a natural advantage in modern society.
“We need more franchises to join our ranks because we are finding it difficult to service demand in several territories throughout NSW, particularly the inner Sydney suburbs, Northern Beaches, Sutherland Shire and the Central Coast.
“We are experiencing the same demand in WA, particularly throughout Perth metropolitan and its outer areas because we can’t keep up with customer enquiries. Our existing franchises are stretched which is great for their businesses. I guess this is a good position to be in.”
Nicholls said the negative impact of an ease of water restrictions had failed to materialise.
“Despite the loosening of water restrictions, which has allowed the car wash conscious clients to start cleaning their cars again, a lot of people have stopped washing their cars to show their social standing on the subject. They also prefer the quality of the result we produce which is key. Companies are looking to ecowash mobile in droves now and we already have the biggest on board nationally including Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Hyundai so work is plentiful.
“Another reason we have considered is that a lot of people are selling their car at the moment and trying to regain some money to reduce their debt. So they need to make their car look its best.”