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Tag: Sydney

  • Fjallraven opens huge Sydney flagship store

    Fjallraven opens huge Sydney flagship store

    Swedish heritage outdoor brand Fjallraven has opened a flagship store in Sydney nearly one year after making its brick-and-mortar debut in Australia.

    The store, located on York Street in Sydney’s CBD, stocks the brand’s popular Kanken rucksack, as well as a broader range of outdoor apparel, including men’s and women’s jackets, tops and trousers.

    It is the brand’s second brick-and-mortar location in Australia. The first opened in Melbourne Central in October 2018, and marked Fjallraven’s inaugural location in the Southern Hemisphere.

    Susan Park, Fjallraven’s brand manager in Australia and New Zealand, said the Melbourne store has been trading well over the past year.

    “Opening our retail store was an important stage of brand development in Australia. We were optimistic about our performance before launch as we knew the demand was there,” she said.

    Fjallraven launched in Australia in early 2017 through retail partnerships and online, which helped the team better understand which products to range in the Melbourne store.

    Now, the team is further refining its decision-making through in-store feedback.

    “We review and incorporate our customers’ feedback into what we range and how we present our products in-store and it’s been a process of constant improvement,” Park said.

    According to Park, the Kanken rucksack is still a best seller, though interest in trekking equipment – especially trousers and jackets – has grown significantly as a result of increased access and awareness.

    More broadly, the store is driving an uplift in Fjallraven’s overall wholesale and e-commerce business in Australia, Park said.

    “We are really seeing the benefits of a controlled omnichannel approach and we anticipate this will be the case for Sydney as well,” she said.

    The Sydney store, like the Melbourne store, will also offer shoppers a daily ‘fika’, a Swedish tradition which translates roughly to a coffee break.

    The retailer serves complimentary coffee, tea, and small snacks to customers at certain times of the day and invites them to spend time in the store and chat with the staff.

    In addition to this in-store experience, the brand is planning to launch ‘Fjallraven Discovery Australia’ in 2020 – a three-day and two-night hike in the Grampians, designed to get people outdoors and back to nature.

    The hike will incorporate indigenous history and is in keeping with a growing theme of Fjallraven hikes all over the world.

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  • Alceon rolling out Lego stores across Australia

    Alceon rolling out Lego stores across Australia

    Alceon Group on Wednesday revealed plans to significantly expand the footprint of Lego stores in Australia.

    New stores are set to open in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland over the coming months, with South Australia and Western Australia to follow in 2020.

    A store is also set to open in Westfield Newmarket in New Zealand later this year.

    Alceon, which holds the rights to Lego-certified stores in Australia and New Zealand, opened the first standalone Lego store in Westfield Bondi Junction in March, which executive director Richard Facioni said has “captured the imagination of all generations”.

    The store is centered on providing interactive experiences, with a pick-a-brick wall, build-your-own-minifigure stations and play tables, where kids can assemble their own creations.

    The store has benefited from the growing popularity of the Lego brand in the region, thanks to the arrival of the top-rated Lego Masters reality show, Facioni said.

    Alceon plans to capitalise on this momentum, with the first new store to open in Broadway Sydney in late 2019.

    The company said it has secured prime positioning on Level 2 of one of Australia’s highest performing shopping centers. The store, like the Bondi Junction location, will feature exclusive, customized design elements and brick-built symbols.

    “The introduction of further LEGO Certified Stores in key locations will
    accelerate the reach of this leading global retail concept, as we build on the excitement and emotion intrinsic to the iconic LEGO brand,” Facioni said in a statement about the expansion.

    Alceon Group is an investment firm that is one of the biggest retail companies in Australia, following its acquisition of Specialty Fashion Group’s Katies, Millers, Autograph, Crossroads and Millers brands, James Packer’s Pretty Girl Fashion group and Pumpkin Patch.

    The company also has a controlling stake in Noni B and recently acquired a stake in ethical fashion brand Ginger & Smart.

  • Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea Australia’s first small-format store is set to open in Sydney’s Westfield Warringah Mall at the beginning of May.

    The Ikea Planning Studio will provide shoppers on the Northern Beaches with a place to plan and build their dream kitchens and bedrooms. Staff on-site will be equipped with tablets and provide one-on-one consultations to help customers select the right products from Ikea’s range of furniture, appliances, storage solutions and more.

    This stands in sharp contrast to the massive, showroom-cum-warehouse stores that Ikea traditionally has been famous for. But the shifting retail landscape has seen the Swedish furniture giant globally adapt its offer by launching e-commerce sites, providing more do-it-for-me services and, increasingly, experimenting with smaller stores in urban centres.

    “At Ikea, we know Australians are looking for new and more convenient ways to shop their favourite products. We’re excited to be bringing bespoke Ikea shopping experiences to Aussies around the country in locations that suit them,” Ikea Australia country manager Jan Gardberg said.

    “We’ve chosen Warringah Mall as our first location in order to reach even more Australians that live within urban areas, outside of the city centre.”

    The Planning Studio seemingly aims to provide a more immersive shopping experience, with a “luxe bedroom environment” that will transport shoppers to a “hub of femininity through floral scents and classic detailing” and a “soothing wellness sanctuary” that will feature a variety of kitchen solutions.

    In a separate initiative, the retailer currently is hosting a series of “sleepovers” at stores across the country, where select customers can experience how Ikea’s range of sleep solutions – that is, mattresses, bedding and other items – provide a better night’s sleep. This suggests Ikea is looking for ways to interact with customers on a more personalised and experiential level.

    “We want to inspire people to get creative and explore the possibilities of our range. The launch of our small format stores is just another way we’re helping Australians to create personalised and functional spaces within the home,” Gardberg said.

    The Planning Studio’s design was inspired by Scandinavian modern style and Ikea’s design values of sustainability, quality, form, function and affordability, the retailer said, and created with the eco-friendly shopper in mind.

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  • Lego store opens with giant figurines in Sydney

    Lego store opens with giant figurines in Sydney

    Lego Group unveiled the first Lego store in Sydney at Westfield Bondi Junction on Tuesday evening, ahead of the official opening on March 21.

    The store includes several features aimed at enabling creativity, including a room with play tables called The Brick Room where kids can build their own creations, the Pick-A-Brick wall, where customers can get exact brick they need and Build-Your-Own Minifigure stations.

    Lego Group vice president and general manager Australia and New Zealand Claus Kristensen said the group was excited about a fantastic year to come.

    “There’s going to be a lot of exciting offerings to all kids and adults,” Kristensen said.

    “It’s fantastic to have a place like this where we can showcase the brand and give everyone that great experience as we continue to inspire the builders of tomorrow.”

    The store features several bespoke creations, including a number of large-scale Lego figurines, some displays of the larger sets that can be purchased, and – as with all Lego stores – a mural showcasing the city the store is located in.

    The Bondi Junction store features a 62,300-brick mural of a Sydney Harbour sunset, which took 282 hours (more than seven standard working weeks) to build.

    “Lego stores around the world are renowned for drawing from local landmarks for a bit of inspiration,” Alceon Group executive director Richard Facioni said.

    The store is the result of a partnership with Alceon Group, which acquired the rights to Lego certified stores in Australia and New Zealand. Kristensen explained that Alceon “understood the importance of the brand”, and noted he believed the group had made the right choice.

    “I’m sure it’s going to be very exciting to see the opening on Thursday,” Kristensen said.

    “I think it’s going to be a bit crazy, we all hope so.”

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  • Canon Australia launches Renting Service for cameras

    Canon Australia launches Renting Service for cameras

    A picture may be worth a thousand words, but in terms of actual dollars, it could be worth many times that, once you consider the cost of all but the most entry-level DSLR cameras, lenses and other accessories. But now, a hefty price tag need not be an obstacle for budding photographers, thanks to a new sharing platform launched by Canon Australia on Tuesday. The platform, called Kyōyū, the Japanese word for “share”, aims to be the Airbnb for Canon cameras and accessories. Camera owners can use it to rent out their gear and get a return on their investment, and would-be owners can use it to borrow or try out items without needing to buy them outright.

    “At Canon, we believe in constantly innovating to create the ultimate user experience,” Jason McLean, Canon Australia’s director of consumer imaging, said in a statement.

    “We don’t want ownership to be the only reason to experience our goods and services,” he said.

    The platform was created in partnership with design agency, The Diner, and has been in the works for over a year.

    According to McLean, Kyōyū is an extension of the brand’s long-held goal of building a community of passionate photographers, which saw it launch the Canon Collective in 2013 to bring like-minded people together for workshops and other events, and open its first experience centre in Melbourne in 2018.

    “For years, we’ve been looking at our brand and how can we do more with the products people buy. We created Canon Collective and opened the experience centre for that reason, and this is the next evolution of that,” he said. 

    The concept is currently exclusive to Australia, but McLean said it could be rolled out in other markets if it proves successful.

    More than 230 members have already signed up to the platform, primarily across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and the company aims to have 1500 registered users by the end of 2019.

    Canon charges a small fee on each transaction to cover the cost of managing the platform and providing up to $15,000 of insurance on every rental.

    “One of the greatest concerns we heard through our early research was what happens if something goes wrong, if something accidentally gets damaged, or stolen,” McLean said.

    Canon has taken this same “test and learn” approach to its other offerings, such as the experience centre that opened in Melbourne last year.

    “It’s hitting the mark,” McLean said about the store, a 320sqm space where customers can touch and feel Canon’s product range without having to ask store staff to take them out of a locked cabinet.

    “Customers love the staff, they love that staff are not pushy. What we’re working on now is building awareness. It’s the best kept secret in Melbourne,” he said.

    Canon Australia will continue testing the offering in Melbourne for another six or so months before deciding whether to launch experience centres in other capital cities around Australia.

    Meanwhile, the Canon Collective has taken on a life of its own. According to McLean, nearly 50,000 people are part of a closed Facebook group, where they share advice and support one another, without needing much moderation or guidance from Canon itself.

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  • Sydney to be home for Lindt’s first “premium chocolate” store

    Sydney to be home for Lindt’s first “premium chocolate” store

    Swiss chocolatier Lindt is ramping up its Australia retail expansion with the opening of its latest chocolate boutique in Sydney. Located in Sydney’s Macquarie shopping mall, the new boutique-style shop is filled with Lindt’s complete luxury chocolate range. However, with five stores already operating in the city, the new location is the first of its kind to offer a more “premium chocolate shopping experience”.

    The premium aspect includes an exclusive range featuring a new Gourmet Selection, which comes in seven flavours of premium roasted nuts and fruit coated in Lindt Chocolate.

    Likewise, the new shop offers a selection of specialty-crafted chocolate slabs with gourmet ingredients and a wide variety of Lindt’s signature pralines.

    Inside, Australian shoppers are encouraged to browse from the gift boxes on offer, which vary across three different sizes, before filling each with an assortment of Lindor balls and other Lindt chocolates, creating a quasi ‘Pick and Mix’ concoction, so each purchase can be custom made.

    There is also a Lindt Chocolate Bar, which offers a range of takeaway hot and cold drinks made with pure Lindt chocolate.

    “It is a great addition to our NSW Lindt Chocolate Shop locations and we know the shoppers at Macquarie Centre will enjoy indulging in the exclusive gourmet ranges on offer,” CEO Lindt Australia Stephen Loane told local media.

    The boutique store is surrounded by close to 400 international and national retailers to be shopped at Sydney’s Macquarie Centre, located in Sydney’s northern suburb of North Ryde.

    Lindt’s expansion comes at a time when rival chocolate retailer and café Max Brenner and its Australian arm has filed for bankruptcy.

    Max Brenner Australia, which was started in 1999 and is owned by Tom and Lilly Haikin, appointed voluntary administrators in early October citing rising costs and sluggish retail trade.

    On October 8, administrators McGrathNicol closed 20 of Max Brenner’s 37 stores.

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  • Amazon opens another fulfilment centre in Sydney

    Amazon opens another fulfilment centre in Sydney

    Amazon is opening a second fulfilment centre to speed up delivery to customers across Australia, as the US-based company expands its e-commerce business Down Under.

    The 43,000sqm fulfilment centre in Moorebank, South West Sydney, is planned to start operations in the second half of 2018.

    “We are thrilled to be establishing our next fulfilment centre in Sydney and working with incredible people in the local community around Moorebank,” said Robert Bruce, Amazon Australia’s operations director.

    “Sydney represents another important development for our growth strategy in Australia, following a steady and progressive increase in customer demand.”

    Together with Amazon’s Dandenong South fulfilment centre, which opened in December 2017, the second warehouse, located within easy access to the M5 and M7 motorways, will allow Amazon to handle current and future customer demand and speed up delivery to customers across the country.

    “This investment will benefit both customers and the local economy by generating new jobs and providing small and medium sized Australian businesses who sell on amazon.com.au and use our Fulfilment by Amazon program, with an opportunity to more easily access millions of customers across the country,” Bruce said.

    Amazon will begin recruiting immediately for a range of roles including operations, support and technical specialists, adding to the more than 1,200 people it currently employs in Australia.

    Since launching its online retail offering in Australia late last year, Amazon has since released new products into the market, including Alexa and Amazon Echo, Amazon Music Unlimited as well as Fulfilment by Amazon, which allows Australian sellers to outsource their pick, pack and shipping process to Amazon logistics.

    Amazon Prime is expected to launch in Australia in mid-2018.

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  • Celebrations at Opening of a New T Galleria by DFS, Sydney

    Celebrations at Opening of a New T Galleria by DFS, Sydney

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, has officially opened its newly renovated T Galleria by DFS, Sydney on George Street in Sydney’s Central Business District. A gala celebration was attended by more than 400 VIPs, customers, travel and hotel partners, and luxury brand representatives.

    The event included a spectacular performance by the Sydney Dance Company, an exclusive shopping experience for customers with DFS’ leading luxury brands, and an appearance by acclaimed British artist Boyarde, who also hosted a VIP customer workshop.

    “Our newly renovated four-storey T Galleria by DFS, Sydney store is truly exceptional, and the opening event was a great opportunity to showcase what DFS does best, combining unique personalization and artistic design with the very best quality products,” said Robert Calzadilla, DFS Managing Director, Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. “DFS is always committed to finding new ways to surprise and delight our loyal traveling customers, and there is something for everyone to discover at T Galleria by DFS, Sydney.”

    Located in the heart of the historic precinct of The Rocks for 29 years, T Galleria by DFS, Sydney is the city’s only downtown duty-free destination, just steps away from the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

    Spanning over 70,000 square feet, the store features more than 150 of the world’s most desirable brands and is a one-stop retail paradise that entices customers with its stylish layout and carefully curated collections. It showcases an extensive selection of products across DFS’ five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts, with many items available exclusively at T Galleria by DFS, Sydney, such as the Michael Kors x DFS collection and Tiffany & Co.’s Keys.

    With its double-height ceiling and black-and-white checkered flooring, Watch World on the third floor is the ultimate in retail elegance as befitting the 57 luxury watch brands that are showcased here. More than 20 of the world’s most prestigious and iconic sunglasses brands are also available on the third floor, ensuring that travelers can find their perfect holiday look. Beauty and fragrance lovers are well catered for on the fourth floor with some of the beauty world’s biggest color and beauty brands.

    The refurbishment of T Galleria by DFS, Sydney began in August 2016 under the direction of Australian design company PMDL, which was also responsible for the design of T Galleria by DFS, Macau, City of Dreams, and T Galleria by DFS, Angkor.

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  • T Galleria Sydney opens door after renovation

    T Galleria Sydney opens door after renovation

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, will celebrate the opening of its newly renovated T Galleria by DFS, Sydney next month, offering customers an exciting modern retail experience that combines the best of the world’s most famous luxury brands with an expertly curated selection of local products.

    Spanning over 70,000 square feet, T Galleria by DFS, Sydney has occupied its historic red-brick George Street location in the heart of the historic precinct of The Rocks for 29 years. It is Sydney’s only downtown duty-free destination, mere steps away from the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

    Featuring more than 150 of the world’s most desirable brands, the store is a one-stop retail paradise that entices customers with its stylish layout and carefully curated collections. It showcases an extensive selection of products across DFS’ five pillars of luxury: Fashion and Accessories, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewellery, Wines and Spirits, and Food and Gifts, with many items available exclusively at T Galleria by DFS, Sydney, such as the Michael Kors x DFS collection and Tiffany & Co.’s Keys.

    With its double-height ceiling and black-and-white checkered flooring, Watch World on the third floor is the ultimate in retail elegance as befitting the 57 luxury watch brands that are showcased there. More than 20 of the world’s most prestigious and iconic sunglasses brands are also available on the third floor, ensuring that travelers can find their perfect holiday look. Beauty and fragrance lovers are well catered for on the fourth floor with some of the beauty world’s biggest color and beauty brands.

    Customers will also discover a tempting assortment of international and local food products, wine, spirits and gifts from more than 50 brands. These include Ovvio organic certified teas, Yalumba wine, Steens manuka honey, and delicious Tim Tam bites.

    “At DFS, we pride ourselves on delighting and surprising our customers with beautiful products presented within luxurious and inviting environments. The renovated T Galleria by DFS, Sydney brings a whole new retail experience to visitors exploring this beautiful city, offering them a unique duty-free shopping space in the heart of The Rocks area,” said Sibylle Scherer, President Merchandising and Consumer Marketing, DFS Group.

    Doors to T Galleria by DFS, Sydney are now open, and the store will officially celebrate its opening on April 14.
    The refurbishment of T Galleria by DFS, Sydney began in August 2016 under the direction of Australian design company PMDL, which was also responsible for the design of T Galleria by DFS, Macau, City of Dreams, and T Galleria by DFS, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

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  • 8 best citie to live on this side of the world

    8 best citie to live on this side of the world

    Time Out’s City Life Index, a survey of 15,000 people in 32 global cities, has been released, and it shows which ones promise the most fun and excitement in 2018. Eight of them are on this side of the world.

    The survey, conducted by Tapestry Research, questioned residents on a variety of aspects of city life.

    It ranked cities in categories across food, drink, culture, friendliness, affordability, happiness, and liveability.

    It also “found the key factors that make residents find their city exciting,” from dining out often to feeling proud of where they are from.

    Here, their ranking in ascending order along with their overall scores:

    31. Singapore (98.7) — Those from Singapore may not rate its culture scene highly, but they do value the city’s safety and are perfectly comfortable walking around at night.

    28. Sydney (106.1) — While they may think the city is lacking in things to do and good restaurants, Sydney residents live a healthy life, with 66% having exercised in the past week and 38% never having taken drugs. They know how to party, though, and are the world’s No. 1 vodka drinkers.

    26. Hong Kong (109.6) — Seventy-five percent of residents said the public transport in Hong Kong was great, contributing to the city’s overall score. They’re also among the biggest restaurant-goers in the world.

    24. Bangkok (111.0) — The survey revealed Bangkok as the world’s street-food capital, with more people eating on their feet than anywhere else — 42 times a year, on average. They’re also the biggest restaurant-goers, with 94% of respondents having visited a restaurant in the past week.

    22. Beijing (113.0) — The city may be exciting, but the commute is long, with 6% of Beijing residents even commuting for two to three hours a day.

    19. Tokyo (117.7) — Tokyo residents love their food — they visit restaurants more than most other cities on the list.

    16. Shanghai (119.5) — It may not come cheap, but there’s plenty to do in Shanghai, where residents say that while it is tough to find love, 79% believe it is easy to find a more casual encounter.

    4. Melbourne (132.3) — This Australian city came out above all others in terms of happiness, with nine in 10 residents saying they felt happy within the past 24 hours. They also find it easy to make friends and think the food-and-drink scene is one of the city’s best features.

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  • The Newly Renovated T Galleria By DFS Sydney Opened Door

    The Newly Renovated T Galleria By DFS Sydney Opened Door

    DFS Group, the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, last week unveiled its newly renovated store, T Galleria by DFS Sydney. The modern interior, which boasts a fresh, clean look, complements the store’s attractive red-brick façade and offers customers a compelling shopping experience from the minute they step through its doors.

    Spanning over 70,000 square feet of space, T Galleria by DFS Sydney has occupied its historic George Street
    location for 29 years and is Sydney’s only duty and tax free destination, mere steps away from The Sydney Opera
    House and Harbour Bridge. Featuring more than 150 of the world’s most desirable brands, the store is a one-stop
    shopper’s paradise which aims to entice customers with its stylish layout and carefully curated collections. It
    showcases an extensive selection of products across all categories – fashion and accessories, beauty and
    fragrances, watches and jewelry, wine and spirits, food and gifts – with many items available exclusively to T
    Galleria by DFS Sydney, such as the Michael Kors x DFS collection and Tiffany & Co.’s Keys.

    Customers begin their exciting retail journey on the ground floor, which is devoted to 11 iconic brands that lead
    the way in global designer fashion. Each of these luxury retailers has created an intimate space in T Galleria by
    DFS Sydney that captures the essence of their respective flagship stores.

    An irresistible mix of fashion and accessory retailers greets shoppers arriving on the second floor. Contemporary
    fashion brands offer a younger, slightly edgier aesthetic to shoppers, whilst smart totes, travel essentials and
    suitcases cater for discerning travelers.

    With its double-height ceiling and black-and-white checkered flooring, Watch World on the third floor is the
    ultimate in retail elegance as befitting the 57 luxury watch brands that are showcased here. Bespoke joinery and
    special lighting accentuate the exquisite watches on display. Still on the third floor, warm wood flooring draws
    customers towards T Galleria by DFS Sydney’s selection of sunglasses, displayed alluringly on floating shelves.
    With 24 of the world’s most prestigious and iconic brands all in one area, travelers can be sure to find their
    perfect look.

    Beauty and fragrance lovers are well catered for too, with some of the beauty world’s biggest names positioned
    next to more niche brands on the fourth floor. Customers will also discover a tempting assortment of international
    and local food products, wine, spirits and gifts from over 50 brands. These include Ovvio organic certified teas,
    Yalumba wine, Steens manuka honey and delicious Tim Tam bites, Australia’s favorite cookies encased in
    Belgian chocolate.

    “The renovated T Galleria by DFS Sydney brings a whole new experience to visitors from all around the world,
    offering them a fresh, one-of-a kind duty free retail space in one of Sydney’s most vibrant and prestigious areas,”
    said Sibylle Scherer, President, Merchandising and Consumer Marketing, DFS Group. “With such a wide
    assortment of brands and products to choose from, we anticipate that many new customers will be eager to
    explore this beautiful city’s latest destination for luxurious shopping.”

    The refurbishment of T Galleria by DFS Sydney began in August 2016 under the direction of Australian design
    company PMDL, which was also responsible for the design of T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Studio City, Macau,
    and T Galleria Angkor by DFS in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

  • Céline opens in Sydney

    Céline opens in Sydney

    French maison Céline has opened its second Australian store in Sydney.

    Located on level four of Sydney’s Westfield Shopping Centre, the 186-square-metre store is designed with clean lines and pared-back simplicity, hallmarks of the brand’s creative director, Phoebe Philo.

    Raw materials such as onyx, fired terracotta, carved lime wood and industrial chipboard mix in with foliage, and bounce off black metal hanging rails, brought to life by a concrete floor in grey.

    A central sculpture wall divides each room, with bespoke furnishings – designed by Danish artist FOS – splattered throughout. Features include mirrors, a jewellery table, sunglasses and jewellery display casing, and a large seating area in ceramic and wood.
    The new Sydney flagship hosts Céline’s autumn/winter 2017 collection, as well as a range of ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

    The Sydney store is the brand’s 141st store globally. The first Australian flagship opened in Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre in 2016.

    Founded in 1945 by Céline Vipiana, the Paris house is today owned by global luxury conglomerate LVMH group.

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  • Sydney Airport to introduce new retailers

    Sydney Airport to introduce new retailers

    Sydney Airport has commenced work on the next stage of its T2 Domestic terminal, which, when completed will see the introduction of new retail tenancies in the precinct.

    Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport managing director and CEO, welcomed the next phase of terminal improvements, which follows the transformation of the airport’s casual dining precinct.

    “We’ve had such fantastic feedback about our new T2 casual dining precinct and I look forward to seeing the terminal’s continued transformation as part of our commitment to enhance the customer experience,” Mather said.

    “These improvements will deliver a consistent look and feel across the terminal, with a greater sense of space and light.”

    Mather said the new T2 Domestic terminal will have better wayfinding and improved sightlines.

    “Exciting new retail concepts and relaxing dwell areas will create more ambience,” she said.

    The improvements will see the introduction of 10 new retail tenancies to deliver a revitalised mix of lifestyle brands for visitors.

    Areas of the terminal will be expanded and redesigned to create dwell areas with upgraded flooring, columns, lighting, ceiling finishes, and contemporary furniture with textural finishes. There will also be significant upgrades to key bathroom amenities across T2 while a new mezzanine level will offer additional commercial floor space.

    The next stage of retail and dwell area improvements were designed by Australian design firm Landini Associates and follows the revitalised T2 casual dining precinct.

    The precinct features first-to-Australia offerings, sushi brand YO! Sushi and popular Danish juice bar concept Joe & The Juice, as well as Krispy Kreme and Soul Origin.

    The next stage of works are due for completion by end of 2018.

    Last month, Country Road opened its first menswear pop-up store at the domestic terminal.

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  • Costco to open third Sydney outlet at Marsden Park

    Costco to open third Sydney outlet at Marsden Park

    Bulk discount retailer, Costco, will open its third Sydney outlet, and ninth store nationwide, at Marsden Park in Sydney’s northwest next week.

    The Costco Marsden Park store, which will span 13,575sqm, will include a Costco fuel station, tyre centre, food court, optometrist, hearing aid services and fresh food production.

    The site is located within the large format retail precinct at Sydney Business Park, in Marsden Park. Costco is the latest major retailer to open at the Business Park, which is one of Australia’s largest large format retail centres, spanning 115,000sqm in floor space.

    Owen Walsh, Sydney Business Park project manager, said Costco is a welcome addition to Sydney Business Park, which, is fast becoming a major shopping and warehouse distribution and logistics destination for the region.

    “We are pleased to be part of Sydney’s rapidly growing northwest, and it is rewarding to see the community growing around Marsden Park and the Sydney Business Park,” Walsh said.

    Walsh said in the last five years, the Marsden Park community has completely transformed with the establishment of major new retailers opening their doors.

    “New retail has created new jobs and that has attracted people to relocate here to be closer to where they work or to find work,” he said. “The next five years will see even more dramatic transformation with major commercial towers to be built as well as a major town centre. By 2025, the surrounding North West Growth Centre is expected to support 177,000 new residents and 61,900 new homes.”

    Sydney Business Park has secured approximately $600 million in investment to date, on track as part of the broader $3 billion project.

    Patrick Noone, Costco Wholesale Australia managing director, said the company was very pleased with the new site and said the store opening marks another significant milestone for the company.

    Costco joins other retailers at the centre including Aldi, Baby & Toddler Town, Beacon Lighting, Bunnings Warehouse, Carpet Call, Coles Express, Costco Wholesale, Forty Winks, Home Consortium Marsden Park, Home Hub Marsden Park, Ikea, JB Hi-Fi Home, Knotts Pine, Lindt Factory Outlet, Reece, Repco, Shell, Snooze, and The Good Guys, among others.

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  • Nike’s opens new three-level flagship in the Sydney CBD

    Nike’s opens new three-level flagship in the Sydney CBD

    Retail Prodigy Group will open the doors to a three-level Nike flagship store at George Street in the Sydney CBD on Thursday morning.

    The new flagship is the first high street store for the brand in Sydney, situated in a heritage building that has been modernised for the new store. The ground floor is dedicated to men’s training and running, sportswear, the Jordan Brand and basketball in the basement. The first floor has been designated for womenswear, in the running, training and sportswear categories, plus a specialised bra fitting service and pant hemming.

    With a focus on running products, the store will feature Nike+ Trial Zones; an immersive space that features a Nike+ Run treadmill dedicated to trialling running footwear.

    In a Nike Australia first, the store also features sneaker cleaning and protection services.

    Brant Hirst, Nike marketing director told us that the vast amount of construction works currently underway in the Sydney CBD had not been a concern in the development of the new George Street location.

    “The heritage facade and multiple levels of the building provided the perfect canvas for a premium shopping experience for our customers,” he said.

    “Having a high street store in an emerging shopping precinct was also a major drawcard of the space.”

    Despite several commentators continuing to forecast the demise of bricks and mortar retailing, Hirst said the new flagship would be “powered by immersive product experiences” and in-store experts.

    “This store centres around elevating every athlete’s potential and offering customers personalised experiences, whether they’re training for a marathon, or want the latest in sports style.”

    When asked if we could expect to see more larger flagships in other locations across Australia and New Zealand, Hirst said that Nike was “always looking at ways to innovate and offer premium shopping experiences for our customers.”

    Nike also recently confirmed it is launching a pilot program to sell sneakers on Amazon, in a move to combat counterfeiters and unsolicited third-party sales conducted online.

    In a call with analysts, Nike CEO Mark Parker said that Amazon would carry “a limited Nike product assortment” of footwear, apparel, and accessories, and that the sports brand was seeking to improve its presence on the e-commerce site while also protect its brand reputation.

    Meanwhile, the race is on within sports retailing in Australia.

    British retailer, JD Sports currently has three stores trading in Australia at Melbourne Central, Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast and Parramatta in Sydney’s western suburbs. Two further stores will open soon at Miranda in Sydney and Highpoint in Melbourne.

    The Lancashire-based company has more than 1,200 stores under a portfolio of sports fashion and outdoor brands throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

    Decathlon, the French retailer, has established an Australian online sales platform and expects to open its first store in the Sydney suburb of Tempe in October.

    The retailer has more than 1,000 stores in almost 30 countries and has notionally set a target of 100 stores for the Australian market.

    More recently, Super Retail Group decided to discontinue Amart Sports and convert its 65 stores into Rebel Sport as part of a consolidation strategy designed to defend against the entry of Amazon, Decathlon and JD Sports.

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