There could be a host of problems with online trading, but you can not hang on and hope that the event reverts, it may not happen.
Not all retailers will shut their strip shop down, they will work online from the shop, and enhance their chances of a sale. Depends what you are marketing.

Dreamon said;
other locally sourced materials such as copper and seed beads,

Did you seek the OK from customs & Aqis regarding the seed beads ?

Good question *Bazz* but no need in the instance of plastics and metals. "Seed Beads" doesn't in this instance literally mean materials that come from plants.

Otherwise, we always provide full disclosure down to the last rupiah with supporting banking and financial evidence, all clearly marked, wrapped and packed in see through material for those whose role it is to safeguard our borders. Occasionally advanced notification is required, and other wise I always bring down real some real quality coffee and seek the services of the "Red Channel" which includes a regular spraying of our footwear.

..

Interesting point, as there was a customs blitz on traditional materials made from things like banana etc at one point but it doesn't apply to our situation.

Fortunately, whereas in my youth I was largely ignorant of the legal nature of the system, that is no longer the case.

And whilst not yet qualified as a lawyer, I have done sufficient legal studies at a tertiary level to discern, read and understand the relevant acts to bring myself up to speed, and sufficiently reasonable to know when to consult with a specialist, as and when required.

It's not just retail.
Our entire society is undergoing a change at least as profound as that caused by the industrial revolution.
Such things as:
- internet;
- aging/longevity;
- ease of travel;
- speed of computing;
- the emerging biotech industries;
- the reduction in economies of scale.
Sadly, there will be losers as sell as winners.
But one thing is clear, there's no going back.
I think that anybody who claims they can predict what the final picture will look like is kidding themselves.
So, hold on folks; we're strapped into the roller coaster whether we want to be or not.
But I think DreamOn's advice is sound.
Take stock of our assets and stay flexible.
One particularly good thing is the ease with which we can re-educate ourselves now.
One example, on Itunes U, I can download hundreds of hours of lectures by many of the world's leading professors, at a couple of bucks a throw.
Virtually all the classics of English literature are available through the Guttenberg projects for free.
Knowledge, for the first time in human history, has become democratised.
Right now, I am watching a semester of Greek Mythology lectures from Stamford university for a total price of $30.
One can download a complete language course for under a hundred bucks.
It ain't all bad news.
Anthony
Http:://www.observationpoint.com.au

Yabby & Anthonyve,
If young Australians are so switched on how then is it that we can't get enough competent techos & tradies ?
The reality here is that yes we have some excellent talent but they're so outnumbered by the opposite. That was my argument.
A handful of good things can not outweigh tonnes of not so good.

Hi Individual,
I'm not so sure that they are outnumbered by the not-so-good.
I guess I don't move in the same circles as you, but, honestly, most young people I meet are certainly no worse than my generation; in fact, most are probably better.
Sure there is a shortage of tradespeople, but that has quite a bit to do with the fact that when times are good, many businessses couldn't be bothered with apprentices.
We've had this cycle many times before in Australia. In good times, businesses don't want to be bothered with the effort and inconvenience of apprentices, and then, in bad times, they whinge about a shortage of trades people.
I'm sure many will disagree with me, but ask yourselves this question. When companies do advertise available apprenticeships, do they get plenty of applications?
And the answer is yes, they do.
So, if there is a shortage of trades people, don't blame the kids; blame the companies.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au