CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR’S REPORT
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford
Coupled with this were some significant impacts from labour shortages through people having to isolate or encountering the general effects of COVID restrictions. Additionally, with very low unemployment rates, there was both a skills shortage and movement of people, utilising the labour scarcity in the market to make a change in their career and remuneration. It’s also been an interesting year for the Membership in that the significant time that we’ve spent isolated from each other has meant that some of the relationships developed and the camaraderie normally prevalent in the Go Vita group diminished.
In Go Vita’s history, never before has the above statement been more relevant. The interests of the cooperative are best served when all the shareholders, Members and stakeholders of the cooperative work together to ensure its success. In keeping with the principles of the cooperative, it is incredibly important that we continue to work together to ensure the success of the business overall. This financial year, more than any other time, illustrates this point as we rely heavily on us working together to support the business and encourage the continued evolution and progress of the business.
In common with what’s happening across Australia, business for Go Vita during the 2021 - 2022 financial year has been pretty tough and our sales were down on the previous year. However, yet again, we are seeing the rise of the independent business and its share of the overall Go Vita sales. This is important additional business for the warehouse with the significant contribution to overhead from our independent customers.
Our inability to meet and exchange thoughts and ideas and to share how GVGL is facing the challenges ahead led to a disengagement and indeed some disenchantment. That environment was certainly fertile ground for a range of alternative views as all of us grappled with understanding the changing market. The mini conference in March and the Member meetings undertaken post the end of financial year were
opportunities to rebuild confidence and trust, to listen and understand the issues that are important to our Members. And most importantly they enabled us to reunite as one after a couple of years of separation. It’s also important to remember the shared responsibilities of both shareholders/Members and the head office group, GVGL, in the continued success of the cooperative. Our business relies on us working together, recognising the role each of us plays in ensuring a strong, successful and resilient business.
Whilst the initial years of COVID saw a marked increase in our sales, the reverse was true in the past financial year. The impact of lockdowns, supply chain issues and raw material sourcing all conspired negatively to reduce our sales. Further exacerbating the downturn was the loss of four stores during the year through store sales, closures or exiting the group and some of these stores had contributed notable income for the group.
GO VITA GROUP LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022 I 17
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