By Patrick Avenell

Department store Myer, a bedrock for the small appliance categories, has achieved its fourth straight quarter of comparable sales growth, registering a 0.4 per cent uptick for the third quarter of FY2013.

Myer’s total sales for the three months to 27 April 2013 of $625 million, which is a 0.5 per cent increasing on the corresponding period last year. Comparable sales growth was slightly lower as Myer has opened one new store, in Shellharbour (New South Wales), during this period.

To further generate growth in the longterm, Myer is currently refurbishing three of its best performing stores: Indooroopilly (Queensland), Adelaide City (South Australia) and Miranda (New South Wales).

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Once again, the publicly listed retailer made oblique references to ‘omnichannelling’, though it is still unclear what exactly this is.

“Building our omnichannel offer continues as a priority and we are looking forward to the upcoming implementation of our new order management system that will deliver real productivity benefits to the business and an improved experience for our customers,” the Myer report says.

Over the past 12 months, Myer has been used to great effect to launch the Electrolux and Lavazza capsule coffee partnerships. The store-in-store concept roll-out has been warmly received by the partners, Myer and, most importantly, the consumer.

This has also created an exciting in-store battle with category leaders Nespresso. The back-to-back installations at Myer’s flagship Sydney store on Pitt Street Mall are particularly impressive.

An example of a Lavazza installation in a Myer store. Click image for full story.

Myer CEO Bernie Brookes said he was focused on implementing the company’s five-point strategic plan, which he explained using five different synonyms for the same word.

“These are improving customer service, enhancing our merchandise offer, optimising our store network, strengthening our loyalty program and building a leading omnichannel offer,” he said.