Retail

A green return on investment: The future for returnable goods

As designers, we create retail centres that deeply consider site, context and sustainability to deliver a return on investment for our stakeholders. But many retailers, especially online retailers, are experiencing a fresh challenge – waste around returnable goods – and with it, new opportunities across the retail economy to refine what we do and how we work to bring us closer to zero waste. One solution is to optimise ‘reverse logistics’.

• Sustainability
• Retail

Retail therapy: How retail is the ‘third space’

Generally, there are three elements to modern-day life – personal life, work life and lifestyle. Retail takes place firmly within the lifestyle element, becoming our ‘third space’ commodified as an experience rather than a product transaction.

• Design
• Retail
• Wellbeing

As design facilitators, we draw inspiration from the world around us. We believe that design outcomes are stronger when we all work together, giving everyone a voice rather than designing in isolation. By applying this thinking to the public realm, the outcomes can be better than anyone expected – fresh spaces for people to find, discover, nurture, take care of and grow. What can we learn from our experiences and how can our industry do this better?

• Culture
• Retail

Paying attention: How to beat the retail goldfish bowl

The key is starting with our understanding of the unique behavioural, cultural and psychological drivers we’re experiencing right now and how this may evolve in the future.

• Retail
• Technology and Innovation

An explosion of activity-based retail is about to hit our shopping centres

As Australia ramps up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, new and existing multi-city sports infrastructure will cater for athletes competing and millions of spectators watching on the world stage. But what will happen to these spaces afterwards? And how can we learn from them to create healthy and thriving communities for the future?

• Retail
• Sport
• Technology and Innovation

Food for thought

What are the current, and possible future initiatives food retailers in Australia have enacted to respond to the expectations of their consumers to be socially and environmentally proactive?

• Retail
• Sustainability
• Technology and Innovation

Good architecture leaves no one behind

Accessibility is a common theme when talking about design. This article states unequivocally that designers have an obligation to raise awareness of accessible design. Diversity in our community is an increasingly relevant factor in design matters in our centres.

• Retail
• Diversity

By thinking of a city as a living organism, as something that grows, consumes, produces, and nourishes, we can study and learn from its ‘heart and soul’, behavioural patterns, and complex functions for opportunities that will best support the city’s communities. This could involve reinvigorating dead city zones, creating inviting spaces, focusing on sustainable solutions, and providing facilities and amenities that benefit the needs of the public.

• Culture
• Retail

Mixed purpose: The importance of delivering ‘soul’

Do we rely too much on ‘peak trading times’ – Christmas, Mother’s Day, Easter and so on? Are ‘quiet times’ simply unavoidable and just part of everyday shopping habits? What if those ‘quiet times’ could become busier? How can design and tenant mix change trading patterns?

• Architecture
• Retail
• Urban Design

Four trends shaping retail design beyond 2022

This article by Tony Quinn, Principal at Hames Sharley, was first published in SCN Vol. 40 No. 1, 2022 Big Guns edition.

• Retail
• Technology and Innovation

How designing for more than just work invigorates people and cities

Through the execution of our new Perth studio, Hames Sharley is leading the way in showcasing how offices can attract staff back into the workplace, and in turn benefit the city, our people and project outcomes.

• Retail
• Workplace
• Architecture
• Design
• Culture

This article by Harold Perks, Hames Sharley was first published in SCN’s Little Guns edition, November 2021.

• Retail
• Technology and Innovation
• Design

Taking stock: How Australian retail has adapted to the pandemic

Compared to many nations, Australia has weathered the COVID-19 outbreak relatively well. While others still languish in lockdown, most of us have returned to something approaching normal life (snap restrictions to stamp on localised outbreaks excepted).

• Architecture
• Design
• Retail

Three keys to thriving centres in a post-pandemic world

Opportunities for people to connect have been limited since work, school, holidays, and all other usual activities ground to a halt over the past year, write Hames Sharley’s Rebecca Spencer and Harold Perks.

• Design
• COVID-19
• Architecture
• Master Planning
• Retail
• Urban Design

COVID lessons – an opportunity for retail place strategy

If ever there has been a stand-out in the retail environment due to recent circumstances; by observation it can be viewed two-fold; a greater uptake in online retail, and the resilience of convenience-based bricks and mortar. This is not necessarily a reflection of the entire retail landscape but more an observation of two performers in retail that have the potential to drive innovation within developments moving into the future.

• Design
• Retail

A turning point for High Street?

The struggle is not yet over but the shifting consumer preference to shop local and support small business is a promising sign for many and certainly warrants a discussion on where our street shopping experience is going.

• Architecture
• Design
• Culture
• Retail

The rise and rise of mixed-use developments in the post-COVID economy

The lines between work and play are blurred as newer developments boast a diverse mix of residential, retail, commercial and entertainment spaces all in the one area. This new style of mixed-use design is increasingly being embraced for new developments across Australia, in the city centres and suburbs alike.

• Architecture
• Culture
• Design
• Retail
• COVID-19

Art isn’t likely something that comes to mind when you do your weekly food shop. But for shoppers at Mount Pleasant Woolworths in Western Australia, their supermarket looks a little more like an art gallery.

• Design
• Retail

How the Australian retail landscape has changed for good

As the country ends lockdown and stores begin to re-open, how will retail reshape itself amidst the possibility of ongoing social distancing requirements? What impact will this have on landlords when it comes to planning and managing space? And how will new developments adjust their plans to suit?

• Architecture
• Design
• Retail

Embracing collaboration in architecture

Amongst project delivery methods that have taken hold in architecture, collaboration is perhaps the most famous and beneficial one.

• Design
• Architecture
• Retail

Revitalising Perth’s city centre in time for post COVID-19 retail resurgence

After the COVID-19 isolation period passes, a revitalised city heart awaits Perth commuters, shoppers and diners.

• Architecture
• Retail
• Design
• COVID-19

Gender neutrality becoming bog standard

Gender neutrality is becoming a topic that is garnering a great deal of attention lately. And with inclusivity an important consideration in all modes of design, it’s worth celebrating the milestones when we reach them.

• Culture
• Design
• Retail

If we can trace the idea of a shopping centre as far back as the Roman Empire then it’s safe to imagine shopping centres will continue to exist in 2100. But what they might look like, that’s another question entirely.

• Technology and Innovation
• Retail
• Design
• Architecture

How Generation Alpha will shape the shopping centre of the future

Those in the industry have heard the same ‘hottest retail trends’ for a few years now; it’s all about experiences, niche offerings, personalisation, omni-channel, social media integration and the introduction of new technologies like virtual and augmented reality. But the truth is, these supposedly hot trends are dangerously close to becoming outdated.

• Retail
• Design
• Culture

A visual essay of Hames Sharley’s designs for the Adelaide’s iconic Rundle Mall Plaza

• Design
• Architecture
• Retail

Main street fever

​Built form controls alone don’t deliver vibrancy and good coffee…

• Architecture
• Master Planning
• Retail

Harnessing VR to attract retail tenants in a first for South Australia

Attracting retail tenants with virtual reality tours in South Australia.

• Architecture
• Technology and Innovation
• Retail

The Amazon Tax

News has broken that Amazon will no longer allow Australian shoppers access to its US website.

• Retail
• Technology and Innovation

A view from inside Adelaide’s Rundle Mall Plaza

Managing Director, Caillin Howard met with BrandSA this month to discuss the latest developments on one of Hames Sharley’s most exciting current projects; Adelaide’s Rundle Mall Plaza.

• Architecture
• Retail

What Australia can learn from Asian retail, and vice versa

There is obviously a considerable difference in how Asian and Australian retail developments are shaped by the culture within which they sit, along with, at times, some surprising similarities. David McCarroll investigates…

• Retail
• Culture
• Architecture

Fad or future? The worth of Amazon Go

In light of the interest around America’s new Amazon Go store since its opening late last year, we consider what this could mean for the future of the retail experience…

• Retail
• Culture

Buying Power

How department stores played a vital role in the empowerment of women.

• Retail
• Architecture
• Diversity

Brick-and-mortar retail isn’t dead

In light of an online retail giant’s decision to open physical stores, Former Managing Director of Hames Sharley, Paul Drechsler looks to the past to discuss the new direction of the retail revolution.

• Retail
• Architecture
• Design

Disrupting the retail hierarchy – It’s always been about the people…

During the mid 20th-century Australian shopping centres were developed within a retail hierarchy that was based on modern suburban family life. Today people live in apartments in the city and inner urban areas and seek their daily needs and convenience goods and services in the city.

• Retail
• Design
• Architecture

​In the concluding part of his essay, David McCarroll looks at some of the reasons that consumers make their choices and why this will always keep the retail centre relevant.

• Retail
• Architecture
• Design
• Culture

Catalogues didn’t kill the shopping centre. The rise of online retail hasn’t seen the end of bricks and mortar. In a two-part observational piece, David McCarroll looks at the real problems facing retailers… complacency, and the struggle to remain relevant.

• Retail
• Architecture
• Design
• Culture

From the ‘Food Court’ to the ‘Foodie and Fun’ Café Court

We are a nation obsessed with food. We’re also getting more particular about it. We talk about whether it’s organic or home-grown, whether it’s slow cooked or triple smoked, whether it was inspired by Jamie or Bill. That’s right, Oliver and Grainger. We’re on a first name basis these days. What does this mean for the food court?

• Retail
• Design
• Architecture

Feel good shopping: How retail architecture and interior design can improve wellness

When was the last time you went to a beautifully designed building and felt drawn to your surroundings in a way that made you feel better? Because the space spoke to you, ushered in relief, engaged your senses, enhanced within you a sense of… wellness? We investigate ‘The Architecture of Happiness’...

• Wellbeing
• Interior Design
• Retail
• Architecture

The impact of a driverless society on retail

It’s coming at us faster than a speeding Bugatti Veyron – the era of the autonomous car - and when this technology finally arrives the impact to retail will be immense…

• Transport
• Retail
• Technology and Innovation
• Sustainability
• Design

Driving sales

Imagine this: you walk into your local retail centre, aiming to pick-out an evening gown and shoes, grab a quick chef-prepared meal for lunch, and organise your grocery drop-off to your house. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you spot the plush lounge of a major auto brand…

• Transport
• Technology and Innovation
• Retail
• Culture

Attack of the $350 Billion Retailer…

It’s coming… a giant of the retail industry, dwarfing its competitors as it strides into view, trampling traditional Australian shopping culture into the dust, and smashing any who stand in its way. But how on earth can you compete with a well-drilled organisation that has indomitable global brand recognition, a reliable reputation and, let’s face it, better prices? By changing the rules…

• Retail
• Technology and Innovation