I really like the look of this Relay shop at Hong Kong airport. It’s efficient in its use of space and easy to shop. Being shallow there is none of the dead space at the back of the store we often see in shopping centre newsagencies.
Given the average shopping centre rents for newsagencies of between $900 and $2,000 a square metre and given our lower than average retailer margin (28% – 32%) it is time we thought more about our footprint. Sure this Relay store is not as impressive as a 250 sq metre store but I bet the return on floor space is better.
I know in my shop that only 20% of our total store traffic gets to the back 50% of our space. We have tried all manner of displays and promotions. Next time I think I’ll be looking for a shallow but wide shop.