WA on display: LFRA Study Tour
The Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) recently held its domestic study tour in Western Australia, showcasing established and upcoming Large Format Retail centres across the Perth region.
Over 80 LFRA members hopped on two buses courtesy of Vend Property and Transact Capital and explored 32 LFR sites.
The tour kicked off with a coffee and presentation at Perth Airport, where members learned about the airport’s latest and upcoming developments to accommodate Perth and WA’s growth. This set an exciting tone for the day’s itinerary.
Members boarded the buses, and we commenced the driving tour, with commentary provided by Jeff Klopper, Managing Director of Vend Property, and Alex Gismondi, Founder and CEO of Transact Capital.
Midland and Ellenbrook were the next steps on the tour, showcasing sites like Midland Megaplex and Home Co. Ellenbrook.
Malaga, Osborne Park, and Jandakot followed, with highlights including the Hervey Norman Centre Malaga, and the Centuria LFR development in Osborne Park.
Members disembarked the buses in Casuarina and after a quick walk through of Costco, were treated to lunch and a presentation at Samara City courtesy of our host Aigle Royal Group who shared the vision for their upcoming development spanning 60 hectares and featuring Large Format Retail.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase our Samara City development to such a distinguished group of industry leaders,” said James Fudge, General Manager Commercial of Aigle Royal.
“This event highlighted the immense potential of our project and reinforced our commitment to delivering excellence in the large format retail sector.”
The study tour continued with a drive through O’Connor where members observed future retail developments adjacent to The Good Guys.
Up next were Myaree and Cannington, with a subsequent drive by sites such as Melville Square and Booragoon Home Centre.
Our final stop saw members disembark at IKEA Cannington, where they learnt about the brand’s new Small Format Retail concept.
The format focuses on personalised customer service, offering customers one-on-one appointments to plan their kitchen, laundry, wardrobe, and other home improvement projects.
Rick Lawton, IKEA Real Estate Asset Manager, and store manager Simba Mashanyare shared insights into the innovative approach and why it has been successful for their customers.
After an action-packed day, members enjoyed a pre-forum dinner at Optus Stadium courtesy of hosts Centuria, where members had the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge and experiences gained throughout the tour.
Overall, LFRA’s domestic study tour offered valuable insights into WA’s growth and LFR landscape, fostering networking opportunities and sharing best practices among industry peers.
LFRA members eagerly anticipate the future of retail in Western Australia.
