Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Sportsgirl, QVB.  No shortage of mirrors in this good-looking display, positioned right at the front of the store in this high foot traffic mall.  Great merchandising, and customer-friendly despite the obvious risk of stock loss.

Elegant Bardot

Bardot, Broadway. Simple elegant window for this mainstream fashion retailer. Lighting adds the drama.

Kudos to Sportsgirl

Sportsgirl, Warringah. Full kudos to Sportsgirl for supporting National Body Image and Eating Disorders Week.  I especially liked the way they integrated the brand's voice into it - 'give fashion, give love, give hope'. A real example to other retailers, in my view.

A Strange Approach

Witchery, Greenwood Plaza. A strange approach to welcoming spring/summer. If shoppers missed the 'escape' concept (not exactly prominent), they could be forgiven for being somewhat confused by the seasonal elements. Sometimes less is more, and things should just be kept simple.

Who is Paul Dane ?

Spotted in Broadway (and QVB). This store selling shoes and bags seemed to be humming - way ahead of the competition. Does anyone know who they are, what they stand for, who owns them ?

Forever New forever striking

Forever New, Broadway.  Impactful graphics and photography sets them apart.  They have a consistently high standard.

Stylish Jacqui E window

Jacqui E, Broadway.  Stunning window graphic.

Portmans Gets Laid Back

Portmans, Bondi Junction. Striking lighting with 'laid back' mannequins makes for interest. However, the windows are a challenge in the trans-seasonal period, especially when used with muted and sepia tones. Looks classy, but might lack impact.

Serious FCUK-ed

FCUK, Broadway. Putting a face on the brand. Very impactful. I like the way it has been pulled through the entire store.

Vibrant Tree of Life

Tree of Life, Broadway. Stands out in a sea of sameness.

Mainstream Fashion Unravels

(East Gardens, General Pants, Katies, Jeans West, Just Jeans). A visit to the mall this afternoon left me wondering whether mainstream fashion retailers really understand where their customers' heads are at. Have a look at this selection of windows from well-known brands on the Australian retail scene, targeting a wide spectrum of the so-called mainstream mid-market for apparel.

What struck me is that none of them has a compelling message or offer. We are in the middle of the worst recession anyone can remember, and customers have been used to seeing '50% to 70% off' sales every week. This is not to suggest that is what retailers should be doing at this point. All credit to retailers who feel they can move away from this 'consumer drug' - the road to ruin for many a mall retailer.

My question is this - is there no news ? eg. new season or product lines ? Are there no value offers (to be fair Jeans West had advertised $65 jeans, but very 'quietly') that can catch the imagination of shoppers ? Where is the call to action ? I understand we are in a trans-seasonal (or transitional) period) - but it does seem there is a single lack of imagination amongst retail marketes in this sector. Let me know your thoughts.

DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY

Lorna Jane, womenswear, East Gardens. An unusually upbeat 'sale' sign - great for these times. And the staff member was smiling as well :) Even better .....

TREE OF LIFE

Very colourful and attractive store, Chermside, Brisbane.

ICE COLD

New product arrivals are fundamental to engaging customers' interest and yet sometimes retailers don't consider how to present new product in an interesting way.  This store, Ice in Chermside,  has done a particuarly poor job of displaying its new arrivals - see if you can spot the sign (clue: look for yellow), its' very small and tucked away.  In addition, the new product simply looks limp on the rack, and really needed to be displayed some other  way.  Even the mannequin looks tired and disinterested. Perhaps heading straight for the markdown rack ?

KATIES HURTING

Redbank mall, Qld 30% off everything in store shows real pain.