David
Jones will be opening a new store concept at Eastland as it prepares to close
its nearby Glen Waverley store.
The new David Jones Eastland store will have a
smaller foot print, a lease term of 15 years and will incorporate the features
of the next generation store concept, such as a 75:25 mix of fashion and beauty
versus home categories, instore click and collect pick-up stations, traffic
analytics, free wi-fi, customer dwell areas with charging stations,
omni-mirrors, and the ability to shop the full line David Jones offer online in
the store.
This
represents an interesting adjustment to new consumerism for DJ's and raises the question
of whether QVM needs to address its own approach to new consumer trends,
particularly related to new technology, as part of the renewal process. An old
style retailing environment can be a very attractive drawcard for QVM but the challenge will be to offer ancillary services that at least meet those of our competitors.