Summer of Love

Mecca Cosmetics, Bondi Junction.  Striking window decal - very effective.

Next Piece of the Jigsaw

Jigsaw, Bondi Junction.  Readers may recall this post of a few days ago - interesting comparison, next stage of markdowns.  Clever, cost effective use of props by this retailer.

The Active Sale

Rebel Sport, Bondi Junction.  An innovative sale display from this activewear and sports retailer which displays a bit of 'attitude'.

Maximizing Floor Space

JB Hi Fi, Bondi Junction.  Clever use of floor space for advertising at the entry to the queuing area.

Attractive Sale Format

Jigsaw, Bondi Junction.  An attractive sale format used each sale by this retailer.  The development of the sale format and it's subsequent consistent use means the format becomes associated with the brand over time, becoming a valuable source of IP for the company.

We have all bases covered

Blooms The Chemist, Balmain.  Very odd, confusing product adjacencies for a pharmacy:  chocolates, Clarins, and vitamin supplements.  

Atmospheric Windows

Crabtree & Evelyn, Chatswood Chase.  This retailer sets a great standard when it comes to window displays.  I especially like the creativity in the sale window display, and the atmospheric effect of the lighting in the other.

Not Express

K-Mart, Chatswood Chase.  Have a look at the long-suffering shopper (in black, in queue) directly under the blue sign that says 'Express Checkout'.  The clip runs for 1:43 and she still hasn't advanced to one of the two checkouts.  Poor.

Listening to their customers

Bay Audio, Chatswood Chase.  Interesting to see how Bay Audio have adopted a more 'retail' look - promotional material, staff in red t-shirt.  Professional services always have a delicate balancing act between maintaining the professional look and feel - in this case 'medical' (blue) - and getting shoppers to engage.  I believe they are in a growing market - watch this space for the iPod generation and then some.

THE Monster Sale

Industrie Kids, Balmain.  Now THIS is a monster sale !   Great poster.

Made to Measure

Alterations Express, Chatswood Chase.  I thought the visual representation of the brand and concept was clever (measuring tape).

Retail Landscape

A Tale of Great Customer Service

The Body Shop, East Gardens.  I don't hand out bouquets easily.  However I was very impressed by this store on Christmas Eve.  We had headed out to the shops at about 11am for those last minute gifts, hoping, optimistically, to get in and out before the major rush.  

This store, in contrast to many other retailers, was properly staffed - there were five staff members including the manager who discreetly hovered in the background.  Staff were well presented - with the possible exception of the tinsel (which I have previously mentioned is perhaps not in keeping with The Body Shop values).  They were enthusiastic and friendly, and despite one or two minor glitches were keen to help.  Also impressive, was the 'build your own gift' (at no extra cost) section at the back of the store, which really removed any reason not to purchase.    

As an aside I noticed the pre-made gift sets, which came in different sizes, varieties, and pricepoints, were selling best, but those over $100 were not moving at all.  The beauty of their approach is those can be 'dissembled' after Christmas and the stock redeployed.

We were in and out there relatively quickly, with beautifully wrapped gifts - and having bought an additional 'impulse' gift after we were prompted.

Kudos to The Body Shop - they stood out.

The Kikki.k Sale

Kikki.k, Broadway.  Good looking sale poster and window - always of a high standard from this retailer.  However, I didn't quite understand the inclusion of the rope as a prop.

Cool Sale Poster

Dotti, Broadway.  One of the cooler posters around.

A flightless Dove ?

Coles Waterloo.  New packaging for the (new ?) Dove shampoo range.  It looks elegant, but I am not sure it stands out  enough in the visually cluttered supermarket environment.   The 'concave' curve seems to make it recessive.

Peace amidst Holiday Retail Madness

Tree of Life, Broadway.  Serene concept for this store surrounded by retailers discounting like mad.  Do they know something ?  :)

De Sale

Dick Smith, Broadway.  Well executed sale campaign on TV, and in-store with clever use of the new brand identity device (stylised 'd').    However, I am not sure their offers were strong enough. (which is perhaps true of their competitors as well).

 

Stylish Sale

L'Occitane, Broadway.  Another stylish sale concept that differentiates and reinforces the brand values.

Pink dots

Priceline, Broadway.  Great sale concept after Christmas, differentiates them from the competition's sales, reinforces their brand identity.