16 December 2011

Myer Tuggeranong to close

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It would seem that Myer have decided against renewing their lease at the Tuggers Hyperdome.

All permanent staff will be moved to the City and Belconnen stores – still, bit of a pain for people who live in Tuggers and work there too.

Is this the death knell for the Hyperdome?

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carnardly said :

where was Youngs at Woden? I can’t for the life of me remember.

I know there was one at Curtin and remember their closing down sale – people were going crazy like Myer (boom tish) on boxing day.

I even remember Waltons in Civic – upstairs in Monaro Mall.

🙂

It was in the court down the escalators from Big W, to the left – pretty much around where the Geeky Games store is, all the way towards the back of Rebel sport (that whole area towards the food court too).
Where the Cinemas are now was an old open-air car park, and there was a service road between that car park and the JB youngs etc. That was where you went to pick up bigger goods from Harvey Norman, Youngs or Big W….
After it being Youngs, that area became another area for smaller shops and a Franklins….
The food court was split level and was more of a farmer’s market, with only a couple of food places (the baked spud place being one!). That was before everyone decided that HAD to eat at the mall while shopping, instead of eating beforehand, or when they got home! 🙂

where was Youngs at Woden? I can’t for the life of me remember.

I know there was one at Curtin and remember their closing down sale – people were going crazy like Myer (boom tish) on boxing day.

I even remember Waltons in Civic – upstairs in Monaro Mall. 🙂

RedDogInCan said :

Ronnie said :

I had a chat with a mate when I saw this post and he’s adamant that there was a Grace Bros/ Myer at Woden a long time ago. I certainly can’t recall one being there.
Can anyone confirm? (I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I’ve missed it already).

Yes, there was a Myer/Grace Bros ar Woden 10+ years ago. It used to be in the corner at the back of the food court (though the food court wasn’t there then).

Not that recently, you are talking two decades or more since Youngs – Grace Bros were in Woden.

The food court was there, when I worked at Callam Offices back in about 1995 I am pretty sure.

Youngs were a good store, I used to go to the one in Garema Place many times back in the mid 80s.

shirty_bear said :

Ronnie said :

He’s not really old school unless he referred to JB Young’s … was subsumed by Grace Bros in the mid-’80s or so. Don’t recall the Woden store making the transition from GB’s to Myer. Can no longer picture it in my mind, either … funny how renovations and roadworks almost immediately erase the former layout from memory (well, my memory anyway).

My memory too. My husband and I were having an argument recently about where the baked potato place was in the old woden food court. This morphed into a discussion about baked potato fillings which in turn led to a delicious sunday dinner.

Ronnie said :

I had a chat with a mate when I saw this post and he’s adamant that there was a Grace Bros/ Myer at Woden a long time ago. I certainly can’t recall one being there.
Can anyone confirm? (I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I’ve missed it already).

He’s not really old school unless he referred to JB Young’s … was subsumed by Grace Bros in the mid-’80s or so. Don’t recall the Woden store making the transition from GB’s to Myer. Can no longer picture it in my mind, either … funny how renovations and roadworks almost immediately erase the former layout from memory (well, my memory anyway).

Ronnie said :

I had a chat with a mate when I saw this post and he’s adamant that there was a Grace Bros/ Myer at Woden a long time ago. I certainly can’t recall one being there.
Can anyone confirm? (I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I’ve missed it already).

Yes, there was a Myer/Grace Bros ar Woden 10+ years ago. It used to be in the corner at the back of the food court (though the food court wasn’t there then).

I had a chat with a mate when I saw this post and he’s adamant that there was a Grace Bros/ Myer at Woden a long time ago. I certainly can’t recall one being there.
Can anyone confirm? (I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I’ve missed it already).

creative_canberran11:24 pm 18 Dec 11

2604 said :

Myer would do better if its strategy was something other than trying to flog house-brand merchandise for name-brand prices.

Worth adding a shout out then to their colleagues over at DJs whose business model can best be surmised as “anyone else+30%”.

There’s heaps of examples, but the one that really sticks in my mind is a Coast brand, pure white linen summer shirt. Same shirt in Myer and DJs, $59 at DJs but only $39 full price at Myer. There’s just something about such a price difference on an item so plain that really highlights it.

creative_canberran said :

I find all the comparisons to Belco a bit amusing, renovations aside many parts of it are dead zones and the place generally is a cramped maze of despair.

+1

Anyone reading this site sometimes would be forgiven for thinking that Belco had suddenly become all cosmopolitan and highbrow because Westfield has added Target, Aldi, and a bit of wood panelling to what was already there.

Myer would do better if its strategy was something other than trying to flog house-brand merchandise for name-brand prices.

As for the complaints about Tuggers looking shabby – really, who cares? It’s a shopping centre FFS, a place that you visit for an hour per week while you buy groceries and the occasional bit of clothing. Anyone despairing about its condition needs to spend less time there.

GardeningGirl8:30 pm 18 Dec 11

The Antichrist said :

patrick_keogh said :

Myers at Belco is a dump. Next time you walk through there – take a minute to check out the ceiling – it is a f’n disgrace ! Holes everywhere, dirty old unused fittings, bolts empty speaker holes – you name it, at some point in time in the last 30 years it has been in that ceiling ( any floor they all look the same) – it has been ripped out and it has never been replaced or repaired.

I notice such things too. And then I find myself calculating how old the building/internal fitout is and whether there might be asbestos.

The Antichrist7:53 pm 18 Dec 11

patrick_keogh said :

Even in the Belco store staff numbers are really low. One day I selected the item I wanted and like The_Bulldog I wandered around looking for someone to pay. When I eventually found someone I told her that I’d just about given up and my next strategy was to go over and trigger the anti-theft alarm at the door so that at least security would come. She said not to bother… not only were there only three staff on the floor but the was nobody from security on that shift at all!

No wonder they have problems with theft.

Myers at Belco is a dump. Next time you walk through there – take a minute to check out the ceiling – it is a f’n disgrace ! Holes everywhere, dirty old unused fittings, bolts empty speaker holes – you name it, at some point in time in the last 30 years it has been in that ceiling ( any floor they all look the same) – it has been ripped out and it has never been replaced or repaired.

I am sure if you took a Meyers executive for a stroll through his/her *premium* store in Westfield Belco – they would be mighty embarrassed…………maybe some punters don’t rate ceilings as an important part of a store, but once you see how crappy it looks…….well it might give you something to do while waiting for some counter-monkey to finally drag themselves over to give you some assistance.

creative_canberran said :

There’s also the curious case of the Newsagent swap earlier this year. The newsagent formerly near Woolworths moved out and is now across the road opposite Southlife. A new newsagent moved in where they had moved from. Would love to see what their business plan said that the conclusion they reached was it made more sense to move out and across the road where foot traffic is less than remain in the centre proper.

The Newsagent out on Anketell St is still far better. The one that moved into his old place inside the Hyperdome is very small, and carries very little of what a regular Newsagent wold.

creative_canberran said :

There’s also the curious case of the Newsagent swap earlier this year. The newsagent formerly near Woolworths moved out and is now across the road opposite Southlife. A new newsagent moved in where they had moved from. Would love to see what their business plan said that the conclusion they reached was it made more sense to move out and across the road where foot traffic is less than remain in the centre proper.

My rough understanding is that centre management put the rent up, so the newsagent moved to cheaper premises. Old clientel followed with them. The new newsagent that opened up was not aware they had competition simply moving across the road, and are considering legal action against centre management.

creative_canberran4:11 pm 18 Dec 11

There’s also the curious case of the Newsagent swap earlier this year. The newsagent formerly near Woolworths moved out and is now across the road opposite Southlife. A new newsagent moved in where they had moved from. Would love to see what their business plan said that the conclusion they reached was it made more sense to move out and across the road where foot traffic is less than remain in the centre proper.

@creative_canberran: On the matter of menswear, I recall buying something (possibly underwear?) at a suburban Myer in Melbourne, finding that item apparently not stocked at all at the Hyperdome Myer, but then finding it out on sale at Belconnen. I guess comparative perceptions may vary depending on what you were looking for on the day.

Back in the days before the rise of Amazon, and before the online shopping rebellion against the Great Australian Markup (whosever fault it was) gathered steam, I remember a period of at least months on end when not one of the three mainstream bookstore chains (Angus and Robertson, Collins, Dymocks) was represented with a store at the Hyperdome — so they were probably unrepresented in the whole of Tuggeranong. I don’t know if this was due to an estimation of the people of Tuggeranong as a bogan demographic by the Hyperdome’s management or by the bookstore chains, but it certainly reduced my discretionary weekend visits to the Hyperdome for some possible retail therapy.

creative_canberran2:06 pm 18 Dec 11

I find all the comparisons to Belco a bit amusing, renovations aside many parts of it are dead zones and the place generally is a cramped maze of despair. Go to the older section near Dymocks (which they’ve carpeted for some reason) and you’re greeted with few customers, boarded up shops, forgotten balconies overlooking the street and signs pointing you to the new parts. It’s only by virtue of having a massive population around it and to the North that it does so well.

The Myer store in Belco is actually well behind the Tuggeranong store and aside from the cafe, hasn’t had a decent renovation in a long time. It may look larger but certainly in mens wear, many products at both their others stores were no where to be found. As for staff numbers, perhaps I was in there on a good day but I counted 5 Myer staff and an in store rep at lunch time on a Friday. 1:1 ratio with potential customers browsing.

OpenYourMind1:33 pm 18 Dec 11

Perhaps Brand Depot and Hyperdome could be added to a new Australian section of:
http://deadmalls.com/features.html

Even as someone who mainly buys online these days (music/DVDs included), I still can’t resist the lure of browsing through a JB Hi-Fi store… and will almost always come out with a purchase.

If I was JB Hifi i’d be loathe to be opening any more bricks and mortar stores.

They’ve done very well selling media on physical formats for the last decade or so, but that business model is leaving the station.

Frankly a key cutting kiosk can sell ipods as easily and as well, with the value add of engraving it.

Leinna said :

Agree that a JB at Tuggeranong would get me more interested in visiting there

I hope this discussion of JBHifi opening in the Hyperdome is fact, that would be one store I would welcome with open arms.

Agree that a JB at Tuggeranong would get me more interested in visiting there

I’m in the Lanyon Valley because that’s where the building land was available when I needed to get construction started on a house in Canberra ahead of the scheduled relocation of my job to Canberra from interstate (so don’t ask me “then why did you build there?”). I noted that the Hyperdome had an inferior country-town Myer/Grace Bros store compared to the suburban-grade one at Belconnen, but assumed that the Hyperdome store would be upgraded over the next few years in line with Tuggeranong’s ongoing growth.

It never happened, of course, and I wasn’t going to bother driving past our inferior country-town Myer store in Tuggeranong, with its smaller selection of goods, just to travel all the way to Belconnen or Civic to shop at a reasonable Myer store. I’d just save up my discretionary Myer shopping until my next visit back to my home city and do it at a Myer store there instead when I happened to be at a shopping mall.

If Myer can’t or won’t offer residents of Tuggeranong any better than their half-hearted store at the Hyperdome (compared to the Belconnen and Civic offerings), then good riddance. Better that Myer just ship out of the Hyperdome and make room for players like JB Hi-Fi and Big W, who, hopefully, will not only offer us full-grade versions of their stores, but will also help to attract customers back to the Hyperdome.

patrick_keogh said :

Even in the Belco store staff numbers are really low. One day I selected the item I wanted and like The_Bulldog I wandered around looking for someone to pay. When I eventually found someone I told her that I’d just about given up and my next strategy was to go over and trigger the anti-theft alarm at the door so that at least security would come. She said not to bother… not only were there only three staff on the floor but the was nobody from security on that shift at all!

No wonder they have problems with theft.

No guesses for where the ‘boys’ in blue will be hanging around in Belconnen Mall.

TheDancingDjinn said :

… I have known of people walking out with electricals piled over their heads and the security has helped them to their car..

Gold. Pure Gold. The imagine you painted with that brought tears to my eyes. =D

TheDancingDjinn2:19 pm 17 Dec 11

patrick_keogh said :

Even in the Belco store staff numbers are really low. One day I selected the item I wanted and like The_Bulldog I wandered around looking for someone to pay. When I eventually found someone I told her that I’d just about given up and my next strategy was to go over and trigger the anti-theft alarm at the door so that at least security would come. She said not to bother… not only were there only three staff on the floor but the was nobody from security on that shift at all!

No wonder they have problems with theft.

A while ago now – i seen a drug addict that i knew get 2 leather lounge suites and 5 leather recliners out of the belco store into a truck he had stolen, then come back in and almost took every pair of high end brand name jeans. I seen him selling them, and i even sat on one of the couches later in another persons home. I have known of people walking out with electricals piled over their heads and the security has helped them to their car. I don’t steal things personally, but if i did Belco myers would be an easy target.

patrick_keogh1:50 pm 17 Dec 11

Even in the Belco store staff numbers are really low. One day I selected the item I wanted and like The_Bulldog I wandered around looking for someone to pay. When I eventually found someone I told her that I’d just about given up and my next strategy was to go over and trigger the anti-theft alarm at the door so that at least security would come. She said not to bother… not only were there only three staff on the floor but the was nobody from security on that shift at all!

No wonder they have problems with theft.

I never get any credit for my breaking news stories. Damn you CT.

I’m certain the Hyperdome has known for a long time that myer would not renew, hence the step up of refurbishing parts of the centre and the supermarkets. I’ll confirm that woolworths were also looking to end their lease as the rent they were being charged was sky high from when they first entered in the 80s/90s when there were no other woolies in the area. The store also kept its 90s look for so long because of this, so i’m guessing that the refurb and big w must be part of a deal to keep them on. They were looking at land down near bunnings a few years back to establish new stores for both.

as for myer at woden, if it’s not taking DJ’s lease, I suspect it will be part of another deal between the government and Westfield for expansion and a bus station over the current interchange and former police station.. If its 14-15 year, I’d expect the announcement early 2012..

At least it looks like a JB Hifi is going in. Might give me a reason to visit again. Having recently visited Belco mall recently and remembering how bad it looked in the past, I can only hope the hyperdome gets upgraded or bought out by westfield.

silvernitrate8:05 am 17 Dec 11

did you know that all 3 myer stores were in the top 8 stores nationally for wait…
you guessed it shrinkage through theft!
CANBERRA WHY U SO CHEAP?

BicycleCanberra said :

Why would Tuggeranong residents visit the city store rather than Tuggeranong?

Because the vast majority of Tuggeranong residents work in Woden or Civic. They are much more likely to browse through Myer during their lunch hour than drag the family in on a Friday night or Saturday morning.

creative_canberran11:26 pm 16 Dec 11

While we’re talking about the state of the Hyperdome yet again, does anyone happen to know what the story is with Woolworths?

It’s been renovated but it hasn’t been given the full makeover to give it the new corporate style for Woolworths stores. There’s something very “demountable” about it.

And going back to the Hyperdome extensions, bull dozers have moved into the bottom level carpark and are digging up the ground outside Myer. I didn’t even think the DAs were through yet.

dpm said :

pptvb said :

Myer’s moving to Woden.
Big W is opening in the Hyperdome.

I wonder where in Woden? Are DJs moving out?

No there Building a new part of the centre were bonner house is this will have the new Target and Myer in it as wel as Yes more smaller store
just what Canberra Needs…

Here comes a BIG W and A Harris Scaf to fill the holes left in may
but what about the other 67 empty shops ….

Paddy Markets ?

The HYPERHOLE has been dyeing for years the centre management think it’s a Westfield…. but do nothing to keep it tenants but keep raising the rents.. Woolworth were to move out but the Centre management payed for the new fit out to keep them there. And then increase the rents on small tenants to pay for it .
Wake Up HYERHOLE YOU’RE NOT WESTFIELD….
But maybe if it was a Westfield the place would be a nice shopping centre..

taninaus said :

I would bet on Westfield doing like Belconnen and Civic have done, and they did previously, and build over carparks or poorly used space (if the Gov agrees) to do this they would need a large anchor tenant like Myers.

Whether office space or retail, it seems to be the usual thing in Woden. Build something to attract more people to the town centre, but not give them anywhere to park. Was there something in the masterplan to have no carparks at all by 2020?

creative_canberran7:39 pm 16 Dec 11

Here’s the official word from Myer:

“The Tuggeranong store represents less than one percent of total group sales and MYER one
data indicates that the majority of Tuggeranong customers were also choosing to shop at the
recently refurbished Canberra City store.”

The new Woden store is slated to open in 2014-15.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MTE4OTQ5fENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z&t=1

It’s an interesting insight. Less than 1% may sound small, but for a company generating sales of over $3b a year, it could still be a lot. Whatever the reason, the figures must be dire if they believe it better to simply close it and operate two stores rather than wait until Woden opens in 2014.

I would bet on Westfield doing like Belconnen and Civic have done, and they did previously, and build over carparks or poorly used space (if the Gov agrees) to do this they would need a large anchor tenant like Myers.

Big W in Tugg should do well given the resident profile in the area.

GardeningGirl6:48 pm 16 Dec 11

The_Bulldog said :

Hardly surprising – they’ve been cutting staff to ridiculous levels for a few years. I stopped trying to buy things from them about eighteen months ago after wandering around stuff I wished to purchase for ten minutes – just looking for a register that was attended. First world problems, right?

Regularly experience that in both the Hyperdome and Civic stores (not intended as a criticism of the poor staff themselves). Belconnen on the few occasions we’ve visited seemed to have more staff but less stock. Shame. After avoiding Myer for some years after bad experiences we rediscovered it again and it’s not too bad for things like mid-range clothing, kitchenware, etc. Why they still sell furniture I don’t know. I remember when they got rid of haberdashery it was supposedly because there’s no point having a small section competing with specialist stores, so why they persevere with a small section of cheap imported furniture to compete with the array of choices in Fyshwick I don’t understand. With an absence of staff I have seen it being used as overflow seating for the local Macca’s though.

Kmart is now aspiring to compete with reject shop/dollar store type places. Target is worth a look and occasionally manages to pleasantly surprise. The womenswear stores have gone downhill in quality, I can get equal or better at same price or cheaper in Target/Big W/etc. The large menswear store is near the stinking nail salon so we tend not to walk down that corridor. The Good Guys have been good but are not helped by the distant location on the far side of the “prison exercise yard” style courtyard. The food court has/had a few nice food outlets but at busy times isn’t a pleasant area to sit and relax. And I try not to linger long enough to see what the toilets are like nowadays. The departure of Myer, a major reason for us to visit, is bad news.

dpm said :

pptvb said :

Myer’s moving to Woden.
Big W is opening in the Hyperdome.

I wonder where in Woden? Are DJs moving out?

“A Myer spokeswoman said the Woden store would be in a new building, the location yet to be confirmed by Westfield.” http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/business/myers-christmas-closure/2395722.aspx?storypage=0

BicycleCanberra5:22 pm 16 Dec 11

The population of Tuggeranong is at least three times that of Woden, even if you add Weston that make jst under half the population of Tuggeranong. With all the new development around the town centre and more residents moving in Myer should wait a bit longer and diversify the store a bit better.
Why would Tuggeranong residents visit the city store rather than Tuggeranong? as the media story suggests. Maybe the lower income of Tuggeranong don’t suit their clientele or are residents driving to DFO and Majura park.

dpm said :

pptvb said :

Myer’s moving to Woden.
Big W is opening in the Hyperdome.

I wonder where in Woden? Are DJs moving out?

I think its a safe bet.
I thought Big W were looking at moving to Tugg in given the DA that was posted a few weeks ago.

pptvb said :

Myer’s moving to Woden.
Big W is opening in the Hyperdome.

I wonder where in Woden? Are DJs moving out?

Hardly surprising – they’ve been cutting staff to ridiculous levels for a few years. I stopped trying to buy things from them about eighteen months ago after wandering around stuff I wished to purchase for ten minutes – just looking for a register that was attended. First world problems, right?

Myer’s moving to Woden.
Big W is opening in the Hyperdome.

colourful sydney racing identity1:52 pm 16 Dec 11

Skidd Marx said :

That’s a big blow to the already flagging ‘Dome. Shame as I always liked shopping there.

How will they fill they space?

Indoor paintball?

Skidd Marx said :

How will they fill they space?

a big store that sells frangipani car seats, and “my family” stickers?

Skidd Marx said :

How will they fill they space?

Oh, the Horrordome’s clever mangerial folk are already on top of it, judging by this.

I don’t it is quite the kiss of death for the Hyperdome, but gee it’s about the last thing they need.

I’m not sure what they could possibly do with that space. They already have k-mart and target. I doubt Big-W would be willing to come in and try their luck. I also have doubts that DJ’s would be interested.
I also expect that breaking the area up into 50 shops would result in 50 empty spaces where shops should be.

That’s a big blow to the already flagging ‘Dome. Shame as I always liked shopping there.

How will they fill they space?

It’s odd to hear them closing in the bogandome.. Mind you, it’s been well over a year since I actually went into Myers there and well over 6 Years since I actually bought anything from Myers anywhere…

Probably not the death knell but hasnt that been said virtually since the Hyperdome opened every time a “vital” business closed?

They’re opening in Woden Westfield in the near future – not fat at all.

Is this the death knell for the Hyperdome?

I would say not, if Myer was doing well enough to prop up the rest of the centre then it probably wouldn’t be closing. That said, it is starting to seem like the Hyperdome is a bit too big in relation to local demand, so I’m not sure how they’ll fill all that space.

Or the death of big “premium” department stores like Myer?

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