News & Discussion: CBD Retail

[Mpol03]

I agree with the sentiment to bulldoze and start again... bring in a few big international retailers and it could become a thriving multipurpose hub.

[Nathan]

Australian Geographic and the shoe store on ground floor have now closed too (replaced by the temporary art gallery that pops up in dead shops). Myer centre is in a sad state. Who would have thought that paint job and new tiles wouldn't have brought in more people It needs to be completely redesigned, the layout is clunky.

Are you sure about Australian Geographic? They became Curious Planet after the company that now owns the magazine decided to stop licensing the name, but it's essentially the same store.

[Ben]

That makes sense. They had a corflute sign up and looked like a pop up shop.

[nath91]

Big W are tightening up their network and closing stores, there's no way they would or should go to the CBD. Brickworks and Cumberland Park are 10 min away.

[citywatcher]

Big W are tightening up their network and closing stores, there's no way they would or should go to the CBD. Brickworks and Cumberland Park are 10 min away.

That's the thinking I'm talking about

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[citywatcher]

I agree with the sentiment to bulldoze and start again... bring in a few big international retailers and it could become a thriving multipurpose hub.

It's worth tens of millions of dollars
Bulldoze it and replace it with what? .......A newer building full of shops ?

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[Jimbus2000]

Long time lurker, first time poster here!

I used to be a manager at big w and a cbd shopfront has been on the cards for a long time. In the past they had always stayed away from cbd tenancies but with the change to retail trends they have proved to be the most resilient. The queen Vic Big W store in Melbourne cbd for example out performs every other store by a long shot. Obviously Big w is in a tight position at present and choosing to open a new store while shuttering 30 probably sends the wrong message. But I would expect it is something they would consider if a prime tenancy became available, especially with Kmart in the mall.

It could be a good addition to the area as we see more international and premium brands come to adelaide it still gives residents cheaper options. As someone said combining with a woolies or even the new format woolies metro could be a good move.


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[ghs]

I agree with the sentiment to bulldoze and start again... bring in a few big international retailers and it could become a thriving multipurpose hub.

It's worth tens of millions of dollars
Bulldoze it and replace it with what? .......A newer building full of shops ?

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This is a good point. The cost of demolishing the Myer centre would be huge. It simply wouldn't be worth it.

I believe that some of the issues here are a result of the council and the state government doing very little to encourage people
into the CBD. Closing the shop early doesn't do much to draw people in and having parking inspectors everywhere is a great way
to encourage people to head into the city.

[nath91]

Big W are tightening up their network and closing stores, there's no way they would or should go to the CBD. Brickworks and Cumberland Park are 10 min away.

That's the thinking I'm talking about

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Am all for trying new ideas and concepts but we actually know Big W aren't in a position to do this given their recent position and announcement of closing 30 stores. It's not the right usage.

I've mentioned the idea of a family/youth entertainment venue in the Skycity thread, given this is not Sky City's target market and not a part of their development it would be great to see something like this in the mall, whether it be in Rundle Place, in the existing Myer Centre or a new venue on Rundle Mall.

Wouldn't need to be all of these, but leisure elements like Cinemas, Laser Skirmish, Strike Bowling, Mini Golf, Escape Rooms, iFly indoor sky diving, Infinity Rooms, Latitude/Bounce, Lego Discovery Centre, a wellness and leisure centre (check out Virgin Active). Retail components could be your youth brands like Uniqlo, JD Sports, large scale Foot Locker House of Hoops, Nike Store, JB HI FI, plus add in a few family dining destinations like a TGI Fridays, plus some adult bars and dining options.

Check out American Dream in New Jersey US, using large scale amusements as key anchors, amongst general retail. https://www.americandream.com/

Would add a whole new zest to the mall and draw people in from the suburbs as well as be an attractive destination for tourists.

[Brucetiki]

Harris Scarfe has gone into voluntary administration but will keep trading through at least Christmas while they look for a buyer.

Remembering that they’ve gone broke before (in 2001), I reckon they’ll probably keep going in some form or another. But if not, that’s a significant space to have vacant.

Have to say too, the city store looks completely dead whenever I happen to go into it. Aside all the other challenges for retail atm and department stores in particular, I often wondered if the loss of a ground level presence in Rundle Plaza was a significant detriment.

The 2001 was very infamous - suppliers literally took stock off the shop floor in front of staff and shoppers

[ghs]

I've started a dedicated thread for Harris Scarfe discussions :

https://www.sensational-adelaide.com/fo ... 54#p187180

[Nort]

I agree with the sentiment to bulldoze and start again... bring in a few big international retailers and it could become a thriving multipurpose hub.

It's worth tens of millions of dollars
Bulldoze it and replace it with what? .......A newer building full of shops ?

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

This is a good point. The cost of demolishing the Myer centre would be huge. It simply wouldn't be worth it.

I believe that some of the issues here are a result of the council and the state government doing very little to encourage people
into the CBD. Closing the shop early doesn't do much to draw people in and having parking inspectors everywhere is a great way
to encourage people to head into the city.

Adelaide is the most car friendly CBD in Australia.

[citywatcher]

Big W are tightening up their network and closing stores, there's no way they would or should go to the CBD. Brickworks and Cumberland Park are 10 min away.

That's the thinking I'm talking about

Sent from my SM-J730G using Tapatalk

Am all for trying new ideas and concepts but we actually know Big W aren't in a position to do this given their recent position and announcement of closing 30 stores. It's not the right usage.

I've mentioned the idea of a family/youth entertainment venue in the Skycity thread, given this is not Sky City's target market and not a part of their development it would be great to see something like this in the mall, whether it be in Rundle Place, in the existing Myer Centre or a new venue on Rundle Mall.

Wouldn't need to be all of these, but leisure elements like Cinemas, Laser Skirmish, Strike Bowling, Mini Golf, Escape Rooms, iFly indoor sky diving, Infinity Rooms, Latitude/Bounce, Lego Discovery Centre, a wellness and leisure centre (check out Virgin Active). Retail components could be your youth brands like Uniqlo, JD Sports, large scale Foot Locker House of Hoops, Nike Store, JB HI FI, plus add in a few family dining destinations like a TGI Fridays, plus some adult bars and dining options.

Check out American Dream in New Jersey US, using large scale amusements as key anchors, amongst general retail. https://www.americandream.com/

Would add a whole new zest to the mall and draw people in from the suburbs as well as be an attractive destination for tourists.

Again the thinking is linear
Why would that mean a CBD Big W wouldn't work?
All you have done is provide an opinion which someone from Big W has put a few holes in already
Bouncey castles and nudie bars ?
What's stopping them from closing a smaller store and following the Melb CBD model ? !


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[Patrick_27]

That would be a perfect use of the space, something that brings people into the mall and the way the building is setup it would have good visibility.

I think this is a better fit for (and only way to save) the upper levels of the Myer Centre.

A walk around the bigger city shopping precincts would provide plenty of ideas I just think they put it in the too hard and it's only Adelaide and not worth the time and money basket

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I use to think this, and in some ways still do. However, I think the lack of success that Greater Union have had since reopening their Hindley Street cinemas is indicative that people don't really want to see a film in a complex that's hard to get to, and by that I mean... Palace Nova have an abundance of cheap parking options nearby on Rundle Street (along the parklands) whereas Hindley Street doesn't have that same luxury and neither does the Mall. In case you're wondering how I've determined the level of success that GU Film House have had? It's now only open Thursday through to Sunday.

[Patrick_27]

The Myer Centre should be knocked down and rebuilt with retail and eateries on ground level, London Tavern on second floor with balcony, then floors of offices/apartments/hotel rooms on levels above.

If Big W did move into mall it should be a combined Woolworths , Big W store. I remember a restaurant used to be in basement before the previous upgrade maybe this time it should be on ground or above the shop.

Rundle Mall has nice views of the hills, we should have alfresco dining and balconies in the mall to take advantage of that especially at night time.

Agree with everything you have said here. Brisbane have done good with their Queen Street Mall applying some of these measures. That said, it's unlikely the Myer Centre will ever be bulldozed considering the sheer size of the building. What I can see happening is Woolworths and Big W building a new centre for themselves, though I don't believe Woolworths own their Rundle Mall site.