business
Geelong businesses confront rising challenges and headwinds this year
Local operators navigate outages, winter slowdowns and cost pressures across the CBD and waterfront precincts.
How we reported this
Geelong retailers and service firms logged sharper revenue shortfalls in the first half of 2026 than in the same period last year, with multiple operators citing the 7 July Telstra outage and a colder-than-average June as direct drags on trade.
The national communications failure hit point-of-sale systems and booking platforms for days, while cooler temperatures cut foot traffic at outdoor venues along the waterfront. These pressures arrive at a time when Geelong firms already face higher insurance premiums and slower consumer spending tied to falling regional home prices.
Shops on Moorabool Street reported staff rostering cuts after card terminals stayed offline for 18 hours, while hospitality venues near Eastern Beach saw weekend bookings drop 22 percent in the week after the outage. The Geelong Business Network recorded 47 member inquiries about temporary cash-flow support between 8 and 11 July alone.
Cost and connectivity strains
Victorian small-business insolvency notices climbed 14 percent in the March quarter of 2026 compared with the same three months in 2025, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission data released last month. Local accountants say Geelong firms on fixed-price contracts signed before last winter now face input-cost jumps of 9 to 11 percent, driven by freight and energy charges.
Operators along Little Malop Street have deferred equipment upgrades after quotes for replacement point-of-sale hardware rose above $4,800 per terminal. Several cafes near the Geelong Market have shortened opening hours to limit power and staffing outlays.
Forward steps for operators
Firms are reviewing backup power and multi-carrier connectivity options ahead of the August rates cycle. The Geelong Chamber of Commerce will host a supplier-diversification workshop on 22 July at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. Businesses that acted on similar advice after the 2024 floods reduced downtime by an average of three days in subsequent events, according to network records.