EARNING THE LESSON
A RETAIL model servicing the educational needs of young families and working with schools looks to be a winner.
The School Locker opened in Townsville 12 months ago and its operators, Michael Wsol and his wife Rae KnightWsol, have just relocated to a new outlet three times the size of their original store.
The expansion has allowed for a much larger showroom, particularly for the display of musical instruments and computerware that have been popular gifts this Christmas.
The School Locker trades opposite Bunnings at Mount Louisa and only had to move next door to premises previously occupied by camping outlet Ray’s Outdoors.
“It’s been a very, very successful first year for us,” Mr Wsol said.
“Our business plan was to outgrow our store within the first one to two years and we have been well ahead of our target.”
The School Locker, part of Gerry Harvey’s Derni Group, is a relatively new concept to Townsville.
Mr Wsol manages the store, while Ms Knight- Wsol is business development manager, working closely with schools.
A partnership program provides a portion of sales to schools, while students are employed in the store.
“It’s a good ecosystem,” Mr Wsol said.
Ms Knight- Wsol said the shop also helped families and schools with uniform needs and helped design the new uniforms for St Benedict’s Catholic School, which will open at Shaw next year.
“To see the kids running in the playground with those uniforms, it’s really emotional,” Ms Knight- Wsol said.
Neville Smith, of Colliers International, said it was fantastic to see the success of the business.
Mr Smith said it underpinned the confidence in the regional market and showed the success of the Domain Central retail precinct.
Several big retailers have moved into the centre in recent times and more openings would occur in the new year, Mr Smith said.
He attributed the success of the precinct, one of the biggest large- format centres in Australia, to its strategic location, TONY T RAGGATT 4722 4439 its good venience.
“It’s so central to the greater residential catchment of Townsville. You can get to it easily from anywhere. Coupled with that is the design fundamentals. The parking is fantastic,” Mr Smith said. access and its con-
The School Locker has been operating in Australia for about five years, providing a one- stop shop for families’ school needs including uniforms, musical instruments, sporting equipment, footwear, stationery and technology products.