Open a Store

Like to know more about the one retailer that’s grown faster, generated higher sales volumes and offered better customer service than any seasonal retailer in history? Then contact us operators@calendarclub.com.au (Australian stores) or nzoperators@calendarclub.co.nz (New Zealand stores) or on 1300-366-886 (AUS) or 0800-366-886 (NZ). Read below for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have an outgoing personality, good common sense, and the stick-to-it-ness to do your best work over just 6-15 weeks, you could be running your own store and making great money in the process.

Sceptical? Then allow us to present the answers to the most commonly asked questions about why you should be a Calendar Club operator.

• What are the opening and closing dates of my store?
• Why do I have to provide a Security Bond, when is it payable, and when do I get it back?
• Do I need an ABN – ie. Australian Business Number (Australian stores only)?
• Will Calendar Club deduct withholding tax on my behalf (New Zealand Stores only)?
• Do I have to pay GST?
• What if there is a theft at my store? Do you have insurance that covers my loss?
• I understand that I am responsible for stock shrinkage, but why is it charged at Full Retail Price?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• I have never worked in retail before. Do you have training courses? Who pays for these?
• Why are there fines in your Store Operator Agreement?
• Why do I need access to the Internet and email?
• How many staff do I need, where do I find them, and who pays them?
• What hours do I have to work?
• What do I wear at the store?
• How and when do I get paid?
• I understand I need to bank 100% of sales received daily. Where and how do I do this?
• How do I secure my kiosk at night?
• Do I need a car?

If you would like to pursue operating your own Calendar Club store please send us an email with your contact information to: operators@calendarclub.com.au (Australian stores) or nzoperators@calendarclub.co.nz (New Zealand stores)

Like to know more? Then contact us and submit it to our Store Operations Group.

What are the opening and closing dates of my store?

Generally the earliest store opening date is around October 24th, although stores will progressively open through to middle/late November. At the time of interview you will be advised of the likely opening date of your store. Stores will progressively close from the first week of January until the end of January. The exact store closing dates are not known generally until just before Christmas (as we review our total store stock position), at which time you will be advised by the Calendar Club Office. You need to ensure that you are in a position to keep your store open until the designated closing dates, which can be as late as 28th January.
The decision to keep your store open is entirely at the discretion of Calendar Club.

Why do I have to provide a Security Bond, when is it payable, and when do I get it back?
The Security Bond is payable for two reasons. Firstly, this is your way of securing your store. By providing your Security Bond you confirm that you are serious about operating a Calendar Club Store, and that you are committed for the calendar season. Secondly, Calendar Club will be sending you stock, store fixtures and POS machines, which have a value in excess of $100,000. The Security Bond is a relatively small way in which we can ensure our assets are taken care of properly.

The Security Bond is payable at the time of signing your Store Operator Agreement and must accompany your signed agreement. The Security Bond is refundable to you at the end of the calendar season, and subject to satisfactory store reconciliation, generally no later than 20th February, 2012.

Do I need an ABN – ie. Australian Business Number (Australian stores only)?

Yes, as an independent contractor of Calendar Club (i.e. not an employee) you will need to provide us with an ABN. This is a simple process that takes 7-14 days, and is organised via the Australian Tax Office, free of charge.
It can also be applied online (www.ato.gov.au) and the ABN is given to you instantly. Without an ABN, we are required by law to deduct 48.5% from your commission payments, which is not an ideal situation for you.

Will Calendar Club deduct withholding tax on my behalf (New Zealand Stores only)?

This is up to you. The majority of Operators prefer to look after their own taxation, however, if you do wish Calendar Club to deduct withholding tax on your behalf, please indicate it on the Store Operator Agreement.

Do I have to pay GST?

Calendar Club collects GST as part of the revenue generated from calendar sales. We then pay you commission based on these sales. You will need to advise us whether or not to add GST to your commission payments. Historically, most of our Store Operators are not liable for GST, but this is an individual circumstance and we suggest you seek advice from either the Australian or New Zealand Tax Office or your accountant. In either case the process is relatively simple.

What if there is a theft at my store? Do you have insurance that covers my loss?

Calendar Club has a detailed Incident Reporting procedure to allow us to properly investigate situations like this. The short answer is that as long as you have not been shown to be negligent Calendar Club will generally cover these types of losses. This is a case by case situation. Shoplifting is a different matter and is solely your responsibility.

I understand that I am responsible for stock shrinkage, but why is it charged at Full Retail Price?

Shrinkage refers to stock that has gone missing from your store. This can take many forms, including shoplifting; incorrect receiving of stock at the store; incorrect stock transfers at the end of the season.

At the end of the season Calendar Club will calculate the amount of shrinkage for a given store. We will then assess the proportion of sales that are made at full retail price, 50% off and 75% off and the shrinkage will be charged on this basis.

Operators who follow Calendar Club procedures correctly generally find they have low shrinkage. Historically, the company-wide shrinkage result for a store generating $100,000 in sales has normally been between 0.4% – 0.6% of sales. However, many stores in the past have had low shrinkage results, while others have had larger numbers.

Calendar Club offers a $750 shrinkage indemnity to its best performing stores every year, the specifics of which are outlined at the Training Conference and in Operator Manuals.

Do you have public liability insurance?

Yes, our coverage is $50,000,000. Our public liability insurance provides coverage for members of the general public who may be injured in any way by something to do with the operations of Calendar Club. Calendar Club does not cover any operator negligence.

I have never worked in retail before. Do you have training courses? Who pays for these?

Calendar Club provides training material and support that will help you understand our simple retail model. We have on the ground support (Business Managers), comprehensive manuals and Internet links.

Our office “Calendar Central” in Melbourne also provides phone support.

You will also be required to attend either a refresher or new training session in a venue nominated by Calendar Club. Where this training involves travel to Melbourne or to a state other than your own state, Calendar Club will refund your reasonable flight costs – more details are included in your Store Operator Agreement. You will need to pay for your overnight hotel accommodation and any expenses outside of conference hours.

Why are there fines in your Store Operator Agreement?

Calendar Club has invested a lot of time and money into the success of its retail program. The season is a short one and we need to ensure that we do all that we can to achieve the maximum economic return for our efforts/investment. The fines are in place to ensure compliance to basic operational standards such as opening your store on time, banking daily, dressing appropriately; follow our administration processes. These basic tasks need to be done every day to ensure the continued viability of Calendar Club.

Running a Calendar Club store is not difficult and if you follow guidelines outlined by Calendar Club, you will not have a problem with it. Over 99% of our stores never get fined, as they understand the necessity to follow the Calendar Club program. The stores that don’t will regrettably be warned and/or fined.

Why do I need access to the Internet and email?
Calendar Club will send you regular information, respond to any questions etc and we will generally do this by email. This is the fastest and most cost-effective method to communicate. You will need access to a computer and a printer on a regular basis. Calendar Club will set up an email account for you free of charge, which you will need to use for the season. This email address and password will generally be provided to you in September or October.

We also have a website – www.calendarclub.com.au – which may be of interest to you.

How many staff do I need, where do I find them, and who pays them?
The size and sales budget of your store will normally determine the number of staff you will need. A store with a high sales budget will generally require more staff, as you will have more customers to deal with and more stock to handle. In general terms you will need a staff pool of approximately 4 to 6 people, including yourself. As shopping centers trade seven days a week, plus late nights you will need some help. This does not mean that you will have four to six people working in your store at the same time – you won’t. But you’ll need people periodically through the week to assist you in your store.

During the Christmas period there is a large pool of people seeking work. Students, family members, friends, basically anyone can be trained to be an effective sales assistant. Placing a small advertisement in the local newspaper or on the student board at the local university or TAFE (AUS) or Polytechnic (NZ) will bring big results.

Payment of staff wages is your responsibility. Most Store Operators pay their staff weekly to coincide with their weekly commission payment. You will also need to check your requirement to pay superannuation and work care in your particular state. Calendar Club provides you with a full staffing kit, as part of its Store Operations Manual, which covers most of your detailed staffing questions.

What hours do I have to work?
Your Calendar Club store needs to be open every hour that the shopping centre is open. As mentioned in the previous question/answer, you need to have sufficient staff (including yourself) to ensure this occurs. Generally, Store Operators seem to work 60 hours plus per week themselves, with sufficient good staff to cover other times. However, there are no hard and fast rules. Calendar Club will provide you with suggested Staff Rosters as part of the Store Operations Manual.

What do I wear at the store?

Calendar Club has an approved dress standard, which is published in the Store Operations Manual. In general terms you (and your staff) need to be well groomed, wear clean pressed clothes including a collared shirt and polished shoes. In addition Calendar Club provides a black apron and a simple uniform option which needs to worn at all times in the store.

How and when do I get paid?

Commissions are paid on Thursdays for Australian stores and Friday for New Zealand stores, directly into your nominated bank account.

I understand I need to bank 100% of sales received daily. Where and how do I do this?

Calendar Club banks with Westpac (Bank of Melbourne in Victoria). You will need to bank all cash sales received into our bank account each day. We will provide you with a bank deposit book and access to a night safe facility, which will allow you to bank out of regular banking hours (not available in New Zealand). Alternatively, you can bank over the counter at your local Westpac branch.

How do I secure my kiosk at night?
Calendar Club will provide you with an overnight security cover, which you will use to cover your kiosk at night. There are several versions of the cover, and you need to ensure you apply it correctly. It affords reasonable protection. Generally shopping centers are closed after 6pm (with the exception of the supermarkets and any late night trading). In most cases, security guards patrol the shopping centre after hours.

Do I need a car?
A car is essential, due to the need to move stock and other items to and from your store.