A look at the new David Jones food stores
Upmarket retailer David Jones is moving into the hospitality trade.
Over the next three years, it is undertaking a $100 million upgrade of its food business.
The plan is to include the roll-out of stand-alone branded convenience stores and the first stage will see the launch of a new-look food hall at the Westfield Bondi Junction David Jones in August. Then there will be a food market in the smaller store at GPT Group's Wollongong Central shopping centre. And the Bourke Street, Melbourne, store will have its food area refreshed in November.
David Jones is looking at having new stand-alone stores offering the same experience as the famous food hall in the Sydney flagship store.
But these particular stores will have "curated" lines of products with ranges of olive oils, antipasto and cheese, along with cakes and sweet snacks along with pre-cut vegetables and marinated meats and pasta sauces.
Bondi Junction, for example, will have an oyster bar, a wide selection of wines and a butcher. And for the grab and go shopper, there will be pre-wrapped meat.
Well known chef Neil Perry has been engaged to work on the food offerings which will include beef from Tasmania, wine from Canberra and ham from Marrickville's Black Forest.
It’s all about the changing habits of shoppers. These days, they want food experiences.
David Jones chief executive John Dixon says food creates a “halo effect”.
Shoppers stay for a coffee and a meal and then they browse through the rest of the store.
"Customers want an experience when they shop and food plays a very important function in driving shoppers to the store," Mr Dixon told Good Food.
"We will be offering more private label David Jones products, as well as sourcing the best quality Australian food."
It means people will be able have a meal ready within 15 minutes of getting home.
"We have looked at all the best food outlets in the world including Eataly, La Place in Holland and Marks & Spencer, and wrapped them all up in our new offerings," Mr Dixon said.
by Leon Gettler, June 23rd 2017
