50 Universal Stores later

Universal Store Albert St was the first iteration of the current roll out. It was conceived as a glassy stage set shopfront with a frame of bling and a retro 3D letter sign on the proscenium.

The glimpse inside is retail theatre, lit with moody warm light, the darkness creating depth, conceptually a series of spotlit stages, backdrops, props and vistas.

A chorus line of skinny jeans greets you at the front door, how can you not come in.

The approach was to create a feeling somewhere between comfortable lounge room & Mid American town store of indeterminate age but with a touch of building site aesthetic.

Its like when you put photos on the mantelpiece to remind you of happy moments, except with your favorite brands, but the design questions shopping and the interaction of your customers. Are they leaving the store with product or experiences and memories? Is the shelf filled with product or decor? Has the line between shopping and social space been blurred? Is it possible that living space has an extension in retail space?

Natural materials that promote the idea of realness, waxed local hardwood, off form concrete, canvas and raw steel.

Layers of meaning, a restrained colour and texture but always putting the attention on the stores offerings first. The store is designed as framework on which the stock can shine, Larry says "it’s a concept we use for all our business, build a framework that allows you to excel."

Leather and canvas to evoke history and remind us of rucksacks or backpacks and youthful adventure.

The contrast of shiny glassy cabinets to present and express the value of the contents within.

Then the luxury of leather where you sit and marble where you touch & rugs under foot.

Simple waxed timber reminiscent of old furniture and respectful of the clothes that sit on them.

Every surface within reach is covered with product, sometimes you just have to make it easy to choose what team you are on, display the product on a backdrop that allows an incidental thought, a subtle impulse to buy.

Always looking for opportunity in design challenges in this multi level store equitable access change rooms that can become a stage set when not in use, like all the store a drama waiting to unfold.

There is always something to reward the customer, it can be a view, a pair of socks or a chance encounter.

The retail theatre concept that Lary's team introduced a decade ago has now developed through almost 50 stores, each one individual exploring new opportunities, no stagnation, always learning.