A new Dick Smith store opened opposite our newsXpress Forest Hill store (next to Australia Post) on Monday. We are thrilled to have a national retail brand open so close to us. With Australia Post, the other national brand tenant at our end, closed at key times (evenings, Saturday afternoon and Sunday) it will be good to have someone else drawing customers to our end of the centre.
Dick Smith features ink, an important category for us. While we are comfortable with or competitive position on price, they will keep us on our toes in this category. I suspect they will drive a response from our Australia Post store on ink prices and positioning.
On the Dick Smith store itself, it is an excellent design – very open, bright, welcoming and nicely zoned. Each department is clearly identified. The Dick Smith brand frames the entire offer inside and out.