July 2013

Retailing is changing and community based retailing with the right vision is a growth area. Being local in business means being part of, and engaged with, the community. But, the challenge is does your local consumers know you are local and what is your strategy to develop local community engagement. I am often told by […]

In July we had a marketing opportunity we had all known about for nine months. The birth of Prince George. But, how many retailers took advantage of this? On the day of the birth, Sam, an apprentice at River’s Lifestyle Centre in Melbourne built a power display to celebrate the birth. He used product that

Research carried out by Quindco.com and reported in the International Express in early July shows that when men go shopping with their female partners it takes the average man 26 minutes before they get irritable. The real breaking points are they are getting hungry, they are missing a TV sports program or they are dragged

This is probably the most common word that retailer is likely to hear from consumers. Why do customers say “Just looking” and what can we do about it? I believe that “Just looking” consumers split into three groups Group one – looking so they can buy online Group two – responding to sales staff who

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“Imagine in two years time, you will walk into a retailer and there is an interactive wall. Instead of getting products off the hanger, you can see how different things might look on you. Then you send it to the dressing room or home or add to your wish list.” Deborah Sharkey, E-Bay in Australian

Gary Wilburn: Director of Design and Sustainability. Adopting a sustainable, resilient approach to Retail Design is becoming ever more attractive to the operator, developer and landlord. With energy costs rising and environmental awareness ever more prominent in the consumer’s daily routine, we need to consider how adopting a sustainable approach can be of benefit to

Many of you will be aware that I believe this is the next big retail initiative, it will combine retailing and tourism. At present I am writing a book on Culinary Tourism which I hope to get published next year. In the meantime I am noticing a number of initiatives taking place. I was impressed

While I was at the Newsagent Conference in the UK where I was the keynote speaker I was fascinated by some research presented by John Kenny of the Today Group. The questions asked of retailers were: What do shoppers do when they are unable to find a product?” Retailers response – 55% come and ask,

Over the last few months I have been promoting Culinary Tourism as one of the big trends. I recently spoke at the FACET (Forum Advocating Cultural and Ecotourism) Culinary Journeys Conference in Manjimup in Western Australia and was interviewed by the ABC National Radio along with Barry Green (Boronia Farm) about Culinary Tourism for the