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Feb 26, 2009

PROVENCE

In Bondi a very engaging window display with great attention to detail.

GOING DOTTi

Strong window display for Dotti Broadway pulls a lot of customers and no sale signs in sight.

Feb 24, 2009

AGGRESSIVE DEAL

From Harvey Norman, Moore Park

Feb 21, 2009

EYE CATCHING

Store design for optometrist in East Gardens but brand identity signage is weak.
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Feb 20, 2009

INSPIRED IDEA

For a commodity product Kikki K East Gardens
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EYECATCHING

At Smiggle East Gardens
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Feb 16, 2009

A RARE SIGHT

these days - a retailer looking for staff.  Harvey Norman, Moore Park.

CHAOS IN BRANDS

at Kaos Surfwear, Salamander Bay, but then it probably works for the core audience.

Feb 14, 2009

STYLISH

Vodafone shop for secondary provincial Mall location Salamander Bay Nelson Bay
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Feb 11, 2009

PAIN

And distress dilutes brand purity. Normally very tidy presentation. Adairs Moore Park.

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Feb 10, 2009

JB HI FI SHOPPOLOGIST REVIEW

JB Hi Fi is by any measure an Australasian retailing phenomenon.  In the midst of the worst recessionary conditions, it has just posted 40% profit growth - see below.  We visited a store as mystery shoppers to go 'under the hood', and take the pulse.The video clip is a visual record of what we found. 

I visited Bondi Junction, a regular haunt for me.  The store was quieter than it has been on all my previous visits, especially for a Saturday.  However, the layout and merchandising generates a sense of excitement and buzz, supported by the 'ambient' rock music - if those terms could ever be used in the same sentence.

It is clear that the brand is highly relevant to today's market. Despite an era of internet downloads and illegal copying, customers are still happy to pay for the 'real deal, even in a recession.  What could be better than getting a great range at a great price, and with good service when required ?

The staff look the part - I was served by a young dude with a headband who could have just stepped off-stage.   I have always found their staff knowledgeable when approached, although they are not always smiling, they certainly have the inside knowledge on their product, and are willing to share their passion.  They keep busy which is a great thing to see - motivation is the result of activity. 

The product range is akin to category killer status - there is not much in the core categories of music, movies and sound and vision equipment you cannot find there.  A minor gripe is their camera offering which seems a bit limited, and not as competitive, but I guess they have to make their margin somewhere.

I liked the extent to which they provide 'curated choice' - apart from the expected Top Sellers, and New Arrivals, they also have staff recommendations, and then promotional displays in high traffic areas, some of which are clearly supplier funded.  This is not rocket science, but something many retailers do not get right.  

The layout gently 'forces' you to navigate many of the areas of the store.  The fixturing, lighting and flooring is simple and reinforces the brand promise, without looking dirty or cheap.  They walk a fine line between range and visual clutter, but then this is not a store for minimalists !

The brand proposition is clear and simple - reinforced by the black on yellow colours, simple fonts, quirky execution of the font, and even works with handwritten bargain signs, normally a no-no of professional retailers.   They feel like street traders who really know their customers and their product. 

Their customers were a cross-section, but mainly males, both younger (up to 30) and those you would call baby boomers - the latter provide a steady trade in the profitable backlist product.

The overall sense is of brand integration - or alignment - throughout - a very rare thing in retail today.  

PHENOMENAL JB HI-FI

 Amazing results from JB Hi-Fi.

(Source: Inside Retailing)

http://www.insideretailing.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=53&articleType=ArticleView&articleId=4662

FACEBOOK FLASHMOB

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/09/uk.station.flashmob/index.html

Police described the event as "mainly good humored."
Source: CNN

Thousands of dancers jammed a major London train station in a Facebook-driven "flashmob" mimicking an advertisement for a phone company.

Thousands of people attended Friday's silent disco.

And the event last Friday evening was so successful that another is planned for next Friday in Trafalgar Square in central London. Plus, a group has been set up to organize another one at Liverpool Street Station a week later.

Videos posted on the social-networking site showed Liverpool Street Station completely filled with people, counting down the seconds until the clock showed 7 p.m., then dancing to music on their mp3 players as the hour struck.

Feb 8, 2009

NAPOLEON INVADES

Napoleon Perdis kiosk in Bondi

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DRAMA AT PETER ALEXANDER

Shop theatre unfolds at lifestyle sleepwear store in Bondi

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APPLE OF MY EYE

New format Telstra shop in Bondi looks like an Apple knock off, only more corporate.

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THE FRAGRANT DESERT

Perfume shop in Bondi. Normally busy but deserted today. Dept store competitors have huge specials on.

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ENLIGHTENED SHOES

Display David Jones Bondi

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EYECATCHING POS

David Jones Bondi very stylish Chanel POS image.

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Feb 6, 2009

RETAIL RAIN IN SPAIN

(Source: The Age)

http://smallbusiness.theage.com.au/managing/finance/the-pain-in-spain-offers-retail-re-frame-913451414.html

A very insightful article about retailing in Spain, but with globally applicable learnings.

LOVE IN

The window. Broadway.

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DESPERATE DEALS

Dick Smith Powerhouse Moore Park. Sign of desperation from normally professional operation.

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HOT DOTTI

Dotti window Broadway good use of brand iconography

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Feb 3, 2009

SPORTSGIRL IN BRIEF

Melbourne airport Virgin terminal small format Sportsgirl store has great location and target market fit. Smaller range to suit small footprint and high rent.

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BOOST TO VIRGINS

Melbourne airport Virgin terminal. A great fit between Boost Juice and Virgin brands.

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