Perth business Crystal and Stone announces its closure due to ‘rising costs’ and online giants including Temu

Another Perth business is shutting up shop, with the owner blaming increasing costs and the rise of discount retailers including Temu that he says have made it “impossible to keep going”. Jay Parker, who runs online crystal retailer Crystal and Stone, announced this week that he would be closing permanently due to the rising costs of importing products from the US and competition from ultra-cheap online stores. It comes just six months after Crystal and Stone shuttered its bricks and mortar store in Perth’s northern suburbs to operate solely online. Owner Jay Parker told The West Australian that the company he began with partner Dylan MacIntyre in 2021 had a promising start but had to downsize twice because of the rising cost of importing US products and the cost-of-living crisis. But the final blow came from the popularity of Chinese websites Temu and Shein, which Mr Parker said had been “devastating” to his small business. “It’s just not viable. Then, since the opening of Temu in Australia, that’s definitely where we took a hit,” he said. “You can’t compete with the advertising power of Temu and Shein. They take up all the space so there’s no room for smaller businesses to be seen.” Mr Parker stopped short of criticising those who bought from the online retailers, admitting that he had also purchased items from them because “it was difficult not to when you can’t afford anything”. He said that he and Mr MacIntyre were gutted to let go of their business of four years, having “leveraged our entire lives around it”. In breaking the news to customers, they thanked those who had continued to support them and promised a final sale of their remaining stock over the next few months. “We’ve loved every moment — every visit, every chat, every crystal match made in heaven,” they wrote on social media. “You’ve been the heart of this community and we’re beyond grateful for your support. “Over the next few months, we’ll be clearing out our remaining stock, so if there’s something you’ve had your eye on now’s the time to grab it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!” In January, Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey lashed Temu and Shein for killing off local businesses. “(Shein and Temu) are a . . . pariah, it’s a very difficult situation for Australian retailers to combat,” he told The West. “They never pay any tax here, they don’t employ anyone . . . there should be a government inquiry into it as to what ramifications are there and whether they should or shouldn’t do something about it. “It’s a real worry, do you let it just go or not, I think it’s worth an investigation.” The West Australian has contacted Temu and Shein for comment.