The Chocolate Pharmacy ?

Priceline,  World Square.  Hugely crowded entrance to this Priceline store makes it look more like chocolate shop than pharmacy.  A cynic might say, sell them chocolate now and weight loss products later :()

Small Steps for Telstra

Telstra store, World Square. This store has some potential.  I like the wide open feel, in contrast to the narrow format of many other T-stores.  The use of back-lit graphics and the dramatic lighting creates a soft, cool mood.  One of their challenges is in the use of the  corporate blue - a very difficult colour to have dominating a retail store. It absorbs light, and too much can look overly heavy and corporate. In this particular location, in a dark narrow end of the mall, it is problematic.  The grey carpet is functional, but also absorbs light - however the in floor graphic looks interesting, if a little dated in terms of retail design trends. Best practice these days is for security bollards to be 'merchandised' with display material.  Overall, though a small step forward on the somewhat sterile T-shops which have tended to  copy the Apple format.

Glue that Holds the Brand Portfolio together

Glue, Rebel Sport, World Square.  A new Glue store - best described as urban street and sportswear apparel  and footwear - has opened in World Square.  It is notable that the Rebel Sport store has also undergone a brand identity update - check out the logo, which has a welcome softening of the black colours in the Rebel logo, with the addition of orange.  Not a coincidence, I am sure, that both businesses are owned by Ascendia who also own Amart (mainly in QLD).  They or their designer -  clearly like orange and black, and the white accent.

Dead Parrots and Lawyers

JB Hi-Fi, World Square.  If you are looking for a quirky gift or a dead parrot, look no further. (Monty Python).

Not Wishing you a Trashy Christmas

Hot Dollar, World Square.  What can I say ?  Perhaps the best thing that can be said is it is likely have awesome markdowns just before Christmas if you want to leave your decorations that late or buy them early for next year.  I heard an unconfirmed rumour that two staff members went missing there last week...

T2 Merchandising

Spotted in Bay Swiss store, World Square.  T2 is a vertically integrated tea distributor with retail stores.  Logical, then, they should seek to increase distribution through other cafes.  I thought this display was positioned just right at the counter, and was innovative.  (Excuse poor quality of pic) :).

What does your brand stand for ?

This image,  taken at G-Star Raw World Square, made me think whether many retailers know what their brand stands for.  Ultimately it will depend on how consumers - shoppers and non-customers - view your brand.  How often is there a mismatch between how the retailer sees their brand and how shoppers view it ?  What are the cues that influence the perception ?  Anyway, it gave me some food for thought, not sure how many retailers have spent much time thinking about this.  Your views ?

OFF-COLOUR HEALTH STORE

Health Zone, World Square. There is something inherently dissonant about a health food store having a cash giveaway competition. It seems to reinforce the stereotype of 'dodgy' health supplements. Disappointing then to see this normally well-run chain of health stores 'blighting the retail landscape' with this type of promotion. Have a look - I think it really detracts from their brand, and their offer.

REBEL LOSES INTEREST ?

Rebel Sport, World Square. The sports retailer has obviously decided to launch a major new initiative- interest free credit on any transaction $300 or over. It will be interesting to see how they go - while loudly 'postered' in store - staff members were unwaware of the details and details were hard to come by - not a good look, customers quickly lost interest. Having said that, I found myself thinking, "how could they afford to do that with their margins ?" A potentially game-breaking move - worth watching this space.

Simplicity and Symmetry

Bag & Baggage, World Square. The human brain seeks out symmetry. The clever merchandiser uses this to his/her advantage. This is an outstanding example of how effective a simple 3 x 3 presentation can be.

END POVERTY

World Square, G-Star Raw, window with a message.

HYPE-D UP

Hype store, World Square - good use of the corner site for maximum signage impact.

STANDOUT PRADA

Stunning window, World Square, has cut-through in a very busy environment.

WORLD OF COLOUR

World Square, Sydney has a lot of small, narrow spaces, and is a very busy commuter thoroughfare. I thought the use of changing colour in this section of the centre was a good way to 'lighten the sensory load' and draw attention away from the narrow space.