Mirvac has announced it will expand its rapid full-service retail solution, WeShow, to three new locations across Australia.
Following a successful pilot program at East Village Sydney, Mirvac will bring WeShow to Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre in Sydney, Brisbane’s Toombul Shopping Centre and Kawana Shoppingworld on the Sunshine Coast.
The program allows online entrepreneurs and progressive brands to enter the bricks-and-mortar space through quick turnaround flexible store fitout and terms.
Pilot partner for the concept, luxury accessories brand, Hills & West (pictured) proved the concept had legs, after being exposed to more than 13,000 new customers in 12 weeks.
The brand saw a 300% uplift in sales and a 26% profit increase when comparing with the same period in the previous year.
Additionally, the brand states it is seeing ongoing sales and brand advocacy from this customer base more than six months on.
Mirvac’s GM of retail Kelly Miller said that the WeShow concept speaks to a 'new retail' model.
"WeShow allows brands to test a new audience or market, build customer base and physically engage in their own way.
"Our pilot demonstrates that by removing the barriers to entry into bricks and mortar, brands have the ability to showcase their products, interact more deeply with their customers and evolve their offer, with the support of Mirvac.
"This partnership model will change the way brands think of shopping centres and the traditional landlord relationship.
"This is ‘new retail’ for a digital and customer focused era.
"Connecting partners with our wonderful audiences, providing brands with opportunity for growth and testing, and with flexibility at the core, WeShow will redefine the partner and shopping experience," she said.
Further enhancing the WeShow concept is new support from the Small Business Association of Australia.
Small Business Association CEO and founder Anne Nalder said the concept gives small business a new channel to engage with customers.
"97% of Australia’s businesses are small businesses, and the health of our economy depends on their success.
"We are proud to partner with Mirvac, removing barriers to entry for traditional retail and helping small businesses access a new sales channel.
"Our mission at the Small Business Association is to ensure Australian SMEs have equitable access to programs, services, technology, and support to be successful in the global economy.
"WeShow celebrates this vision and gives small business an unprecedented platform for success," she said.
Plans are in place for the new WeShow stores to open their doors in the three centres in November, providing an opportunity for small businesses and digital-first brands to boost their customer exposure and sales ahead of the Christmas period.
The WeShow concept was launched in December 2020.