Retailing New York Style….

Louis Vuitton corner 5th Ave and 57th St New York

Louis Vuitton window corner 5th Ave and 57th St NYC.

I just spent 11 days in NYC (my first time) to take in the city, its sights and retail inspiration. I wanted to see something new and exciting. Sorry folks I didn’t see anything new that excited me!

Every one had told me that shopping was incredible in New York! I agree the shops are bigger and there was a larger variety of products, with a few stand out exceptions such as the new LV store on the corner of Fifth Ave and the Converse store in Soho. The comparison to our local market exceptions aside is roughly the same, especially now with many of the international brands coming or have set up in Australia we get a great range. I felt that the luxury market was quite saturated with shops having certain sameness about them especially when some of the same brands are only a block away.

It didn’t matter whether I was in the stores off 57th St., Lexington Ave, Madisson Ave or Soho the same stores were there with the same stock. There were few stores that were smaller independents and I can see why; the rents are huge, only the big stores can be in there.

In many cases the prices were similar to ours and by the time you added tax and converted the dollar you may have been saving a few hundred dollars, which when you are spending over $1000 for a dress the saving is  negligible.

What stood out for me was that wherever you shop in the world be it Melbourne, New York or Paris and parts in between, if you want beautiful fashion you must be size 12 or under and have the buying power, otherwise it’s out of ordinary peoples reach.

The genuine savings are found in the cosmetics; you can save serious bucks and do lots of damage all at once! (I became a VIB at Sephora in one sitting!)

To sum up I wanted to get really inspired and I didn’t. I know what I have always known; in Australia there are many stores that are competing with some of the best in the world and doing it well.

What are your thoughts on retailing in Australia?

Louis Vuitton window corner 5th Ave and 57th St NY

These old buildings add such charachter in NYC.

Love the colour Nescafe window NYC.

Stores along Maddison Ave.

Stores along Maddison Ave.

Michael Kors seen everywhere in NYC.

Loving Chanel Madison Ave.

Would like some champagne Moet of course!

Barneys NYC.

Only one way to these beautiful stores.

Story written and photographed by Penny Votzourakis.

For more information on how to engage Penny Votzourakis to help you increase your customer conversion and sales please go to www.kyronglobalacademy.com, email penny@kyrontraining.com.au or phone 1300 059 766.