General Brisbane Retail Thread

Originally Posted by Sky_Is_The_Limit

Marcs is stepping it up in Sydney. The old Esprit store at Westfield Bondi Junction (3 floors) looks like it'll have a Marcs floor covering the two lower levels. If they follow the lead of other Australian retailers opening bigger stores (Forever New, General Pants Co, Seed, Sportsgirl, Witchery etc) in more high profile locations, perhaps a bigger store is on the way for Brisbane too?

Were the plans to upgrade the little retail complex next to The Regent on Queen Street approved? Could be a site to watch? If Esprit closes at QueensPlaza that could be another?

I noticed that Sky yes, thanks for bring that up, I'd say you are right, at present Robina is large, but Marcs said they would relocate so I think we will see them back sooner, but yes Marcs is moving up and expanding which is good.

[nathandavid88]

Originally Posted by Sky_Is_The_Limit

Were the plans to upgrade the little retail complex next to The Regent on Queen Street approved? Could be a site to watch? If Esprit closes at QueensPlaza that could be another?

Yep, the old HMV site was approved and will be done in conjunction with the Regent. There will be three retail tenancies I believe, one on the bottom (like how HMV was) and two on the upper level. It's really more of a facelift than anything though...

As per shopping centre thread, Borders site action in on its way. Naturally Zara, Gap and Topshop are named but denials from real estate agents, which is natural. We could see one of those before the end of the year.

Roll on Ted Baker, an Armani or Prada (and no I won't be shopping every week there but it is what this market wants).

[KJBrissy]

For the Borders site, a Jamie Oliver restaurant is rumoured to be included in the list. Also rumoured is a redevelopment of the Myer Centre.

Originally Posted by KJBrissy

For the Borders site, a Jamie Oliver restaurant is rumoured to be included in the list. Also rumoured is a redevelopment of the Myer Centre.

Oh that's right KJ thanks, the Myer Centre proposal sounds great to open the whole thing up.

[Sky_Is_The_Limit]

What does said redevelopment of the Myer Centre entail?

[KJBrissy]

Just a rumour. No details.

[nathandavid88]

Don't suppose anyone could take a photo of that article? I didn't get Friday's paper...

Also, rather interestingly MOS Burger has opened in Albert St, but without their MOS Cafe, and I don't recall seeing the Mezzanine either. I'm guessing that they are going to add those elements later on (like when their DA for the changes is approved).

Originally Posted by KJBrissy

Just a rumour. No details.

That's right KJ just suggestions at the moment, which are a good idea.

So the next few weeks (days) we will see Aquila, Peter Sheppard and Nespresso in the CBD finally open, Hilfinger might be a bit later. Anyway, someone has mooted that the Myer Centre will have a refurb to make it a bit more upmarket on the upper floors, but I can't find anything online that suggests this. In this age of online retailing, and I understand money is not forthcoming, but Myer/Toowong and Broadway need little to total upgrades.

Same old same old suggestions, but it seems this is gaining more talk that these three are up for renovating sooner rather than later. I hope so.

[Sky_Is_The_Limit]

Can't believe how long it is taking the likes of Gap and Zara to set up shop now that Gap has been open almost 2 years in Australia, and Zara over a year.

Would have thought there would be fierce competition for the Borders site, no more news on the Topshop rumours?

just keep being told Gap, Zara and Topshop are all on their way. Others on here probably know better reasons why. Zegna, Burburry, Cartier and Prada also seem to be on the list as looking more and more likely, but things take time, from finding a spot to getting approval to getting the store up and running. We seem an impatient lot.

It could be the time to set up new stores etc, so many reasons and it has been debated re Zara they are fussy as.

Once we get those where to next?

Maybe Broadway might go along the lines of Pitt Street Mid City Arcade with the downbeat Industrie, Kookai or whatever when it opens rather than it being a high end luxury palace. And of course Scotch, T Bar, Typo, Novo will all have to move, Hype DC have plans to close one city store in the future and perhaps will move it to Indooroopilly. Again, conjecture.

BTW side note after work hopped into Aquila and the shop was standing room only with one guy serving. That's what we like to see

[Timothy]

Marcs are opening in Queens Plaza!

Jobs have just appeared on Seek.

This is getting seriously weird. Marcs can't possible be opening in the old Calibre spot, as that's slated for Louis Vuitton's expansion. If we assume Esprit are leaving (and that's speculative at best, as they've given absolutely no indication at all that they're leaving) then it would either be there or in the old Ojay spot.

[nathandavid88]

What about a downstairs spot perhaps?

[Timothy]

What spots exist downstairs anymore?

[KJBrissy]

The Telstra store on QSM?

[Timothy]

What about it?

[KJBrissy]

Was it not rumoured to be free once their store opens up on Edward Street?

[nathandavid88]

There's the possibility that the Telstra store in QP will shut up shop after it opens in Edward Street, but there's nothing solid on it I don't think.

Originally Posted by Timothy

What spots exist downstairs anymore?

The two I recall were the big one next to Coles and a smaller one behind Brumby's. They haven't been taken yet have they? I haven't been downstairs in QueensPlaza for ages.

[Timothy]

There's no reason why it wouldn't be the other one up near Sunglass Hut either as to the Telstra Store that would shut. There's also been little indication that Portmans or Jacqui E might go either...