1. Introduction
In today’s dynamic and competitive world many retailers have initiated to develop their stores as a brand, therefore creativity and sustainability can be important organizational resource and a desirable approach to differentiate from other competitors. The ―store as brand‖ and retail branding is emerging as one of the most important strategic initiatives in the modern retail industry specially in United States and Europe (Carpenter et al, 2005, pp.43-53). Better customers experience has become center of attention for the retailers, which have made retailers to focus on the store design and improving the retail environment. Consumers’ perceptions of store image and shopping experience influence their behavior. According to (Joyce & Lambert, 1996 , pp.24-33) retail environments have also been found to influence people to enter, remain in, and utilize environments. Better store image and shopping experience makes customers to visit store another time for shopping, which help retails to develop closer relation and to gain customers loyalty. ―The uniqueness of the retail brand is more difficult to substitute and therefore leads to consumer loyalty‖ (Carpenter et al, 2005).
The idea behind this proposal is to present recommendations for retail innovation that will contribute to a distinctive retailer brand. The research has been done to develop an innovative and sustainable store design for Australia’s largest home entertainment retailer- JB HI-FI. They offer world’s top brands, having wide range of entertainment appliances at cheaper prices and also provide genuine personal service by experienced and specialist staff (JB HI-FI, 2009). Company’s history and further information are provided on appendix-A-I (Pg.10).
2. Evaluation of the current level of branding and innovation, recommendations for innovative store design
In the following part present situation of the store, branding and innovation
References: (JB HI-FI, 2009) & (JB Hi-Fi, 2009) II. Store infrastructure and sustainability features i (PV Database, 2008) Low Voltage Lighting 3 Watt High Power LED LED 3W Multicolor with remote (Environment shop, 2005) Fixed CFL Down light Fitting Square Surface and edge coverings (Bovea & Vidal, 2004) III. (Bellizzi et al, 1983, pp.21-45) Retail Branding and Innovation