Not long ago, Prime Minister Morrison officially announced the official end of the new crown epidemic in Australia. The people's production and life have gradually returned to normal. Looking back at the antique business in the past two years, it is a tragic word that can be summed up.
Days from time to time:
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, swept the world with a spark, and neither developing nor developed countries was spared. Economies came to an instant standstill. At the entrance of australia's welfare bureau, you can see the unemployed people who have never seen the bottom of the pension every day. For a retail industry that relies heavily on popularity, the blow can be imagined. Imagine if you can't even solve the problem of food and clothing, how can you have the leisure and elegance to collect art?
Disadvantages:
Originally thought that Australia, as an isolated island, as long as the border is closed, it can easily escape this "protracted disaster". Unexpectedly, people are not as good as heaven, and the infectivity of the virus is too strong. This led directly to my Melbourne becoming the longest-locked city in the world, breaking a Guinness World Record. In 2020 and 2021, we locked down the city for 10 weeks each. During the lockdown, all non-essential retail businesses were shut down. Arguably, for most of the two years, we were at home with nothing to do.
Thankfully, though, I live in Australia, a high-welfare state. In the early days of the epidemic, the federal government launched the "Jobkeeper" wage subsidy program in a timely manner, which is simply to say that the government helps companies pay half of their wages. This helps me retain employees at the lowest cost. In addition to this, I also received various business grants and exemptions. For example, rent subsidies, small and medium-sized enterprises business cash allowances, etc. During the 2021 lockdown, we also received a tax-free government cash grant of $750 per week each. It can be said that without the support of the government, the consequences are unimaginable.
Many people will think that antique art is a profiteering industry, open for three years, open for three years. In fact, this view is too extreme. Especially for the overseas art industry. Most of them are small and micro family businesses, relying on connections, word of mouth and goodwill. Of course, there must be a degree of profit, but there must be a degree. In this way, there will be a steady stream of passengers. Taking the epidemic as an example, it is precisely by relying on the good reputation and goodwill accumulated over the years that we have obtained the help of many old local customers at home and abroad. They know we're in a bad situation, and they know we're selling high-quality, affordable antique art and don't want to see us close our doors. They have consciously reached out to help, and the way they can buy and buy when they can, and push if they can't buy, have given us great help. Of course, with the gains, we also have to give back to the society. During the epidemic, some guests have been affected by this and have financial difficulties. We have also bought back their original collections at the original price several times. He promised that when the situation improved in the future, they could buy the collection again at the original price.
In addition, we are also actively pursuing online sales, and Fine Classic Antiques has also achieved good results in international markets outside of Australia.
In the end, we survived from time to time under the influence of multiple factors that were unfavorable to the earth. People and people have become the most critical factors. Therefore, I firmly believe that man will triumph over heaven.
Now, the outbreak is over. Hopefully, our lives will come back.
In the past two years of the epidemic, my antique business is not only miserable, but also more grateful!