Global lockdowns, store closures and rising unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic are causing consumer retail spending to decline and wreaking havoc on the fashion industry and garment supply chains. Major clothing companies including Topshop, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 have cancelled and postponed orders made before COVID-19 which has led to stockpiles in factories of completed and in-production garments. To reduce the economic impact of declining retail sales, many companies have refused to pay their suppliers for orders. Millions of garment workers have had their salaries cut and thousands of factories are permanently closed as a result. While countries including…
Author: Stephanie Hazelton
The latest data from Illion shows over the last five months Australians have spent the most amount of money on food delivery services than on any other category. Weekly spending on food delivery has increased by 220 per cent when compared to weekly spending prior to COVID-19. This was followed by spending on furniture and office goods which increased by 130 per cent, online gambling by 64 per cent, while alcohol and tobacco spending has increased by 54 per cent. This data was based on a weekly sample of the transactions of 250,000 Australian consumers. Meanwhile, heavy economic loss is…
Illawarra gymnast Maddison Lacey should be in Switzerland warming up for the most important competition of her gymnastics career – the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships. Lacey’s long-term dream would have become a reality this week but instead, it has been put on hold until next year. “I was supposed to be retiring after World’s, however, it has been postponed to next June which has completely changed our training plan. I’m hoping [COVID-19] will be under control by then but who knows what may happen,” she said. National Cabinet and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has established a framework to…
Whether you’re an athlete, fitness fanatic or first-timer, there is one thing that we will all gain from COVID-19 – strength. If not physical strength from hauling Kmart gym gear, then mental strength as people exercise their brain’s frontal cortex – the hub of creativity – in an attempt to keep fit without gym equipment. The Federal Government’s announcement to close gyms has forced a routine change for gym-goers with many warehouse shelves stripped bare. For some, it changes the fitness playing field, for others its adrenaline-inducing workout within their own backyard. Here are 7 creative (and possibly risky) ways…
One in three Australians over the age of 65 experience falls every year. A team of researchers at the University of Wollongong aims to combat this statistic with a pair of smart shoes, a technologically advanced tool to increase physical activity and reduce falls among older individuals. The study highlights how inadequate physical activity contributes to muscle weakness and cognitive decline, leading to an increased risk of falling. Motivating adults over the age of 65 to walk more, the customised smart shoes pair wirelessly with a watch that measures the users walking ability and sends alerts when a possible fall…
Private and public respiratory clinics are popping up across the country to assess people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms include a fever, cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat. The Australian government has announced dedicated respiratory clinics will receive set-up funding of up to $150,000, while other established centres, such as skin-care clinics, will be transformed to test and diagnose patients experiencing coronavirus symptoms. The clinics will adhere to safety criteria and standards to manage infection control. The government said the increased number of facilities will provide greater access to services for people in regional and remote…
Cancelled shows, refunded tickets, and isolation – the trio hitting the music industry hard. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement to protect Australians from coronavirus (COVID-19) has limited non-essential social gatherings. This health and safety measure has meant unemployment and a loss of income for staff in the entertainment industry as most scheduled events are forced to cancel. While punters, festival-goers and fans can no longer be physically present at gigs, musicians and crews are shifting towards alternative methods to foster revenue and bring people together. Live streaming from bedrooms and encouraging fans to buy merchandise, bands are now exploring performing…
The Women’s Movement in the 70s paved a future for a fairer society. Jack Draper reflects on her contribution to feminism from activism to art. She spoke with UOW journalism student Stephanie Hazelton. A wooden telegraph pole stands tall and strong metres from the house. It’s wrapped in a fuzzy, pink, knitted blanket. How appropriate in this 10-degree Autumn weather. A protective layer; perhaps armour, a symbol of creative territory and the first clue to counterculture. At the front door the face of Jack Draper takes on the strength of the pole, braving the tough conditions. Her thick black jumper…