Local businesses in the Sutherland Shire say rising expenses are forcing them to adjust, as new data states that NSW has the highest business closure rate in Australia.
The Shire has continued to be hit by cost-of-living pressures with local business owners claiming that growing expenses are making it harder to survive.
Hairdresser Emma MacCann, who has operated her home-based microbusiness for over 11 years, had to adjust as expenses and clientele spending have changed.
“I have noticed an increase across the board in all things from groceries to electricity” Mrs MacCann said.
She stated that many of her clients are having to cut back on services.
“Instead of getting a full head of foils, I’ve noticed quite a few of my ladies going down to a quarter head of foils, cuts and no blow dry’s. Products aren’t really coming off my shelf and that used to be my little bread and butter money.” Mrs MacCann said.
For Emma, supply cost increases have been the hardest to manage.
“Before Covid, I was paying $1.85 per foil roll and now it’s gone up to $6.60 per roll. You can just imagine that across the board with all my tints and peroxides and shampoos and conditioners.”
Local café manager Emilie O’Meara, who runs Loaf Sandwiches in Cronulla and Engadine said hospitality venues are also struggling.
“We’ve seen one sandwich shop shut down last year, other shops are constantly under new management. A lot more of our customers are commenting on the prices of things, we never used to have to explain our prices in years before,” Mrs O’Meara said.
NSW led the country in business closures between July 2024 and June 2025, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics.
She added that customers are also spending less this past year.
“People are spending less, instead of going out every day to eat it will only be once a week, customers that used to come every day we see a lot less often.”
Business owners will hope that summer brings money and customers to the area and its surrounds.
