Business operators, civic leaders, politicians and commerce experts have been invited to thrash out ways to meet the challenge that threatens to kill some retail operators.

The issue has captured the attention of The Standard readers responding to this week’s stories on how local traders were watching their market share shrink to increasing volumes of internet shopping.

Forum organiser Daffydd Wiesner-Ellix said regional business operators must adapt to changed shopping patterns to survive.

“This issue won’t go away, we want to help traders meet the challenge,” he said.

“Retailers will have to re-invent themselves and look for collaboration with other businesses to expand their offering.

“There’s a lot at stake here, if local operators fold it will have a huge ripple effect on the community.”

As Warrnambool-based principal of consulting company CBD Strategic he is keen to persuade local traders to think outside the square and capitalise on their strengths.

“The only thing a local business can give you (that you cannot get online) is that personal touch — that hands-on, feel it, see it, smell it, taste it, hear it experience,” he said.

Retailer Jed Mast, of Multicomm, said it was vital for business operators to adapt to new technologies.

“You just can’t expect people to keep walking through the door,” he said.

“Retail chains kicking goals at the moment are those who have adapted and are using social media.

“However, it is generally a tough economic environment and online shopping is only part of the picture.

“Its impact has been blown out of proportion.”

The forum will be held on January 16 in at the Quest apartments conference centre from 7.30am to 9am.

It could be the forerunner to a series of think-tanks thrashing out ways to stay viable.

Most comments on The Standard’s web page yesterday were from shoppers saying why they browsed the internet for cheaper products.

Others criticised the lack of free parking in the CBD, limited trading hours and poor service.

However, some homed in on the repercussions if local stores closed under economic pressure.

“All of you online shoppers will eventually reap what you sow, there will eventually be no “high street” stores to go and try your sports shoes on before you buy online. You should all go and take a good hard look at yourselves, what you do is ethically and morally corrupt,” one reader said.

Mr Wiesner-Ellix said street retailers had far more overheads than online outfits with local rates, charges, GST and service costs slugging shopkeepers.

“It is not a level playing field,” he said.

Employment and local sponsorship would suffer if traders went to the wall, he warned.

Mr Mast also warned local jobs and sponsorships would be affected.

“Some people are missing the point,” he said.

“Local retailers pay rent, provide jobs, employ local kids on work experience.

“Who do people come to when they want sponsorship for their local club or group — the local retailers.”