Simply fabulous

Papaya, Bondi Junction. A stunning window from this homewares and furnishings retailer.  They deserve to do well.

Model Seating

Myer, Bondi Junction.  No seating (mainly for blokes) in the womenswear fashion area.  I think this could result in lost sales apart from the obvious shopper frustration.  A smart retailer would give their male customers seating in the menswear area with a 'buzzer' system so she can call him when she is done with fitting  garments.  That way, he might even buy something for himself ...

Caring about Customers

Australia Post, Bondi Junction.  I have to question whether Australia Post really cares about its customers.  The Bondi Junction mall was jampacked yesterday - a Sunday afternoon, 3pm,  5 weeks to go to Christmas, and 40 degrees C outside.  Yet, the PostShop on some of the most prime real estate in the country (and hence with expensive rentals) was shut. In the few minutes I stood there, I saw at least half a dozen shoppers walk up to the store and express frustration it was closed.   Do they think this will encourage shoppers to come back ?

Retail Landscape

Be Naughty (kids) this Christmas ?

Cotton On, Broadway.  Fairly predictable that this retailer would be pushing the envelope on 'kids with attitude' - 'be naughty this Christmas' (bottom right).  I wonder how they are travelling in terms of sales ?  I guess it could have been worse - based on  past performance they might have had a Christmas t-shirt that said 'Be my Christmas Bitch' or something ....

The Ultimate Gift Box

QVB. Peace, relaxation and cinnamon facial scrub all in one gift box :)  Nicely presented.

A Recipe for Success

Kikki.k QVB.  Great presentation and cross-selling makes this a standout display.  The simplicity of the colours works well too.

A Melting Snow Queen ?

Lush, QVB. A tough sell when it is 35 degrees Celsius outside in an early Southern Hemisphere summer.  Still, their windows are entertaining.

Tied Up for Christmas ?

Jurlique, Strand Arcade.  An unusual Christmas display.  On the one hand, the tangled metaphor is a bit strange, but also minimalistic.  A bit odd, really.

What Colour is your Tea ?

T2, Pitt St mall.  Impressive display - is there too much choice in this loose leaf tea shop  ?

Whoa Santa!

Broadway mall.  A bit more than the usual Santa display, although I thought the gold tinsel looked a bit tacky and lacked imagination.

Pyjama Party at Peter Alexander

Peter Alexander, Pitt St mall.  This retailer always has interesting windows.  However, even I battle to see the relationship between pyjamas and trapeze artists :)  Probably makes for unusual dreams ?

Good old fashioned catalogue

The train, North Shore.  Interesting to see this Gen Y passenger work her way through a few retail catalogues on her train journey- Target, KMart.  It is worth remembering that, despite the focus on newer 'sexier'  digital technologies,  many retailers and shoppers still find catalogues useful.

Minority Report

QVB.  Interesting to see this guy typing on the 'keyboard' projected onto the table.  Does anyone know what the technology is ?

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.

For the Little Girls in Grown Up Shoppers

Mimco, Pitt St mall.  This whimsical display is designed to appeal to the grown-up little girl in their shoppers.  Very creative, sets them apart, and a nice bit of attitude.

Create Your Own

Adidas, Pitt Street.  Some interesting ideas here - I wonder how many people look to use the 'personalise' service ?  If you were a semi serious sports participant, the idea would probably appeal.  I thought that while the idea behind this is good, the execution doesn't capture the excitement of the idea.

Chemist Steps out in Colour (guest post)

GUEST POST from Bryce Roney

Terry White pharmacy, Devonport TAS. 

I took this picture at my local Terry White chemist.  I thought the use of colour blocking with the deep red packaging worked well but for me there was something a little odd about the bags placed around the table. Looking at the other visual merchandising in the store, they've done a really good job of creating displays that draw customers in - something not normally seen at a chemist.

Comment from The Shoppologist:

I agree with your comments - the way the bags have been hung do detract from the overall impact.  They might have done better to have a single bag on a stand with a small poster, as this seems to be part of the promotional deal.

Overall, as you correctly point out, this is not something you see very often at pharmacies, so they deserve credit for the attempt. The colour blocking is good, though.  Maybe we'll give them  7/10 :)

Target Pop Up Store - well, pops

Martin Place, Sydney CBD. Underwhelming was the overall impression.  Looked interesting from the outside but very sparse range inside, very pokey, ironically too many staff.  Not sure they generated enough awareness for it, either, and no clear use of the word 'Target' on the outside.  Also, the proposition of a the gift purchase proceeds going to charity was not well communicated.

Retail at the Death

Pitt St, CBD.  A few of the Pitt St discounters and markets are closing down.  This one was in it's final death throes - everything in store was $1 - interesting to watch the feeding frenzy.