An Assault on The Senses

Lowes, Miranda.  More promotional wallpaper than you can shake a purple stick at.  Not the best look, and it doesn't allow the senses to focus on anything else.

Evocative

Tree of Life, Broadway.  One of the most seasonally evocative windows I have seen - full marks to them.  It is also reinforces the exotic nature of their brand.

A new store design that Sucks

Godfrey's Miranda.  Ok, so it's HARD to merchandise a vacuum cleaner store in a way that excites shoppers.  And the previous ones WERE really shocking.  And they ARE filled with vacuum cleaner salespeople. And 'yes' this one is a 'cleaner' design.  But somehow it still lacks imagination. I do think the new logo is a great improvement - with a clever use of the vacuum cleaner hose - I can't believe I just said that !   A tough design brief really....

Wannabe a DJ ?

Dick Smith, Chatswood Chase.  Young aspirant DJ playing the turntable game in the Interactive section at this new store.  Quiet a cool area - I am sure it will be very popular.  The game itself looks pretty cool too - not one of those shoot it up types - but you will need to enjoy rap to a degree.  Worth a visit.

Happy Chocolate Christmas

Chatswood Chase.  Full marks and kudos to centre management and Ferrero Rocher for this stunning, mouthwatering display.  Certainly worth a visit.

An Opportunity Missed

Dick Smith, Chatswood Westfield.  This is a great line which neatly integrates the brand and Christmas.  However, you have to question why their stores are so full of children's toys ?  Big boys' electronic toys I could understand....  it just seems a little odd.

Truly ugly

Pulse Pharmacy, Chatswood Westfield.  A shocking display for the front of the store - prime retail real estate.  Was the merchandiser on drugs or just on a day off ?  Even discounted product needs to be displayed attractively.

American Pie

Levi's ad, Chatswood Westfield.  Tucked away down a side alley walkway, which seemed a bit pointless.

Inspired Lighting

Villeroy annd Boch, Chatswood Chase.  Dramatic lighting effects that increase interest.  Contrast sells.

To be or not to be

Smiggle, Chatswood Westfield.  How would you like THIS in your Kris Kringle ?  To be or not be is the question.  

OTT ? The Taj Mahal of Tea Retailing

T2, Chatswood Chase. This is probably one of the biggest loose leaf teashops in Australia, certainly in Sydney.  A very ornate entrance, and dramatic lighting, merchandising and colours inside.  Personally I was impressed but overwhelmed with the choice.  I did overhear a staff member offering a shopper an opportunity to sample some teas.  I came away thinking it might be a bit OTT for me. A bit like the Taj Mahal of tea retailing (!) Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy tea, which I do but in moderation.

Seriously Off The Wall

Platypus Shoes, Market City.  Impactful poster for this solid brand. 

Books for Christmas

Dymocks, George St.  Not a bad effort from this retailer, as books are often tricky products to integrate into interesting imagery.  I did, however, think the background could have been a darker colour to ensure it stood out sufficiently in the very busy visual environment of the CBD.  As it  is, it runs the risk of being a little bland.

Hot and Hidden

Portmans, Pitt St.  Stunning image hidden down side arcade entry, seems a waste.

Be Very Very Scared

Goldmark, Broadway.  Potential winner in the Most Tasteless Promotion of Christmas 2009 category.  Hell, if you spend $40 they would probably throw in all the decorations as well.....

True Monochrome

White by Kikki.K, Strand Arcade.  This is an eye-popping, bold concept store from the owner of Kikki.K.  Essentially all the product (Kikki.K branded) is white, her favourite colour (according to the staff).  I would imagine that white has traditionally been their fastest selling colour.  The eyecatching effect is softened somewhat by the occasional splash of colour, (flowers, graphic), the Scandinavian wood tone to the floor, and the astute choice of lighting (not too bright).  The special heritage context of the Strand (dark woods) also softens the impression.  The store certainly attracted it's fair share of passing traffic.  I was pleasantly surprised by the feeling inside the store - light and airy.  I have previously bought some of their white product and could easily have done so again.  Worth a look - as a concept store there may not be many others. A pleasant alternative to the colourful schmalz that is Christmas retail trade.

To Cheer You Up

Giordano, Darling Harbour.  Hope this brings a smile to your face today in the 'Silly Season'.

Who is your Target Market ?

Dick Smith, Broadway.  I have to admit to now being confused about who Dick Smith's target market is - this is front and central in the entrance of this DS store.  Thoughts anyone ?

What's the Game ?

Game, Broadway.  This seems an odd time to be having such a major sale in this category.  Clearly sales are not good.

Sussan looks off-colour

Sussan, Broadway.  This chain normally sets a high standard with their windows.  So it was a surprise to see this rather undistinguished window.

Should Beer Prices be 'Hammered' ?

Liquorland, Broadway.  (Apologies for poor pic quality).  Here's an interesting question - in this age of responsible drinking, should beer prices be promoted as being 'hammered' ?  What do you think ?

The Boring and the Bland

Freedom, Moore Park SupaCentre.  With a superb brand name, you would expect Freedom to be in the business of inspiring it's customers, right ?  In my view, this store frontage and display simply fails to deliver on that promise.  I understand this is not prime (seasonal) time for furniture, but Freedom has always been about more than that.  This display and entrance looks simply boring.

Toys R Us does it better

Toys R Us, Moore Park SupaCentre.  Refer yesterday's post about JB Hi-Fi, and accessibility/ welcoming store frontage.  This retailer seems to have a better handle on their customers' needs.  There is more space between the (same number of) bollards, as there should be for a family store.  The lighting and colours combine to make the entrance more welcoming.  The staff member on duty at the door (to the left,  off picture)  is less obtrusive and less intimidating than a security guard.  

Give this man an Aspro

QVB.  This display made my head hurt.  Although innovative it was difficult to look at.  I wondered if it was one of those new eco-friendly bulbs....

Happy Un-Christmas from Bing Lee

Bing Lee, Moore Park, SupaCentre.  Bing Lee's brand new store - who would guess it was a) new and b) Christmas ?

Barbie's Threesome

Mimco, QVB.  No Tiger in sight here :)

Barbie's latest romance ?

Mimco, QVB.  Barbie Loves Mimco. Apparently this is true.... a unique approach to their windows.... appealing to  the'big little girls' out there.

The Best they could come up with ?

General Pants Co., QVB.  You have to wonder - is this the best concept they could come up with for summer/ Christmas ?  Perhaps some goofball marketing and merchandising at work ?

Putting The Squeeze on Shoppers at JB

JB Hi Fi, Moore Park Supacentre.  I am a big admirer of the success that JB Hi Fi has achieved.  However, as much as I enjoy visiting their stores, I never quite understand why they go out of their way to make their stores so difficult to get into (and out of).

Have a look at this store.  Despite having a wide entrance,  they have FOUR security bollards, when clearly three or even two might suffice.  Throw in the security guard and the visual clutter that seems to be their signature, and you have a lot of uninviting signals to the shopper.  (the mum with the stroller only just managed to negotiate the entrance).

To top it all, having  made a purchase, you are required without exception to open your bag to the guard on the way out.  So, your last memory of the experience is a negative one. I might add the security guard here was an exception - very friendly and outgoing, unlike those at other JB stores, where they are often morose and non-communicative.

Ian McLeod the 'new' CEO of Coles was quoted in The Australian on the weekend as saying that Coles had essentially started penalising the 98% of customers who were honest through their security policies, and had now made a conscious decision to minimize negative security impacts.

Retail stores should be welcoming of shoppers. Period. Perhaps JB Hi Fi's success has blinded them to this issue ?  

Goodness that doesn't Cost the Earth

The Body Shop, QVB.  This campaign illustrates a very clever alignment between brand values (eco-consciousness/ activism) and social relevance (be frugal).   Clever marketing.

Easy on the Eye and the Smile

JB Hi Fi, Moore Park, Supacentre.  This shop assistant stood out - her  quirky good looks, a sense of 'attitude' (in a positive way) - and she was helping customers with a smile while re-stocking the shelves.  Smiles are so easy - and cheap.

Retail Landscape

Message to my MP

The Body Shop, QVB.  True to the brand, a topical social message on this staff member's t-shirt.  Great marketing.

Cool brand alignment

Adidas, QVB.  Adidas appealing to the Baby Boomers - we're outta here ! :)  very clever use of seasonal imagery.

The Season for Decoration Discounts

Bed Bath n Table, Moore Park SupaCentre.  Still a few weeks to go to Christmas, and already the discounts are out for decorations.  15% off here, even 30% off at Freedom in the same mall.  We'll be using last years' ones this year :)

Wishing You A Quirky Christmas

Adidas, QVB.  Really interesting integration of the brand into this retro pop Christmas poster with a local Aussie feel ('prawns on the barbie').

  

The Magic of Christmas

QVB mall.  Make a wish.

Spellbound decals

Mecca Cosmetics, TGV.  Highly impressive Christmas decals - certainly left me spellbound.

Clever tactics

Sportsgirl, QVB.  The busiest shop by far in a very busy mall yesterday.  They were having a 20% off everything one day only sale.  I have noticed this at other Sportsgirl stores, but am unsure whether they are store-specific and manager-driven, or are co-ordinated across the chain.  Either way, they got more than their usual share of shoppers' purses.

The Baby Boom

Baby Bunting store, Moore Park SupaCentre.  If you haven't been run over by parents with a stroller lately, here is further evidence of the baby boom in Australia.  This superstore sells only baby products and equipment.

Can you have too much colour blocking ?

My House, Moore Park.  Full credit to this retailer for using colour blocking.  It is especially effective with towels.  However I did wonder whether they had perhaps overdone it by having the colourful bedspreads displayed at the same time.  Perhaps too much colour becomes sensory overload, not giving the eye something to focus on ?

Those Spots in Front of your Eyes

Moore Park Supacentre.  Stressed shoppers in the busiest shopping period of the year now have something else to watch out for: Christmas decorations.  This looks it was designed by a hypnotist.  Speaking to a few people around, almost all of them found it distracting and annoying.  I noticed it drew shoppers' eyes to look up to the decorations, instead of the shop windows.  Cheap decoration, looks stylish, but ineffective.

Bed display all at sea

Bed, Bath and Table, Moore Park Supacenta.  Tidy enough execution, except that the merchandise does not match the marine theme in the poster.  I noticed other maritime themed merchandise in the window, perhaps they had run out of the necessary product ?

Fumigation required ?

Goldmark, Broadway.  eew, really tacky green and pink jewellery thingies for Xmas decorations.  Call the fumigator ?  

The Shorts on Shorts

Just Jeans, Broadway (apologies for low-light pic quality).  A well-executed concept, that goes to thee core of the brand, and is seasonally appropriate.  Country Road should learn from them - THIS is what you do with hangers.  As an aside, it is very difficult to merchandise effectively with a lot of dark navy denim as the dark colour absorbs light.

Exotica

Tree of Life, Broadway.  Wonderfully colourful and exotic, highly differentiated.

Life's a Beach on Broadway

Freedom, Broadway. A fresh looking, relevant display - despite the confined space at the front of their store.  The dramatic lighting helps, although this is mainly because the mall lighting is quite dull.

A Bright Idea ?

Marcs, Broadway. So how many mannequins does it take to screw in a lightbulb ? Perhaps 2, but who cares ? Not sure this is a hugely relevant or engaging window concept.

In the Swing of Summer

Kikki.K, Broadway. A beautiful window, with dream-like qualities from this specialist social stationery provider.

Boys ToysPerts?

Dick Smith, Broadway.   This retailer has been positioning itself as the Techxperts - so it was surprising to see this large window display of toys Christmas - in my view this dilutes the 'seriousness' of their positioning, and is a return to some of the practices which caused them to take quite a lot of markdowns. They would have been better placed to have a 'tech Christmas gift' display or something similar.  It will be interesting to see what happens.