Business · Companies · 13 hrs ago
Personalised shopping helps some Canberra retailers stand out
In Canberra, vintage shop owner Mia Petterson runs Blonde Concept on Lonsdale Street, where her mother once operated a store.
Petterson says shoppers have shifted towards buying second-hand goods and shopping online.
Marketing lecturer Andrew Hughes says social media helps retailers build relationships with customers and bring them into stores.
He says businesses that combine personal connections, good service and active social media are better placed to succeed.
National retail turnover is forecast to slow from 2.8 per cent to 1.5 per cent next financial year, while the ACT retail industry’s value has risen by nearly 1 per cent.
The ACT’s retail industry is growing in value even as national retail spending is expected to slow.
The value of retail goods and services in the ACT has grown, even as national retail spending is predicted to slow.
Marketing lecturer Andrew Hughes says businesses that build customer connections through service and social media are more likely to succeed.
Canberra vintage-shop owner Mia Petterson says building relationships with customers is “the only way to survive”.
Petterson runs Blonde Concept, a vintage and second-hand store on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
She says shoppers are increasingly buying second-hand goods and shopping online.
- Who
- Canberra retailers, including Blonde Concept owner Mia Petterson, and marketing lecturer Andrew Hughes.
- What
- Personalised service and customer connections are helping some retailers stand out.
- When
- The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The ACT, including Lonsdale Street in Braddon, Canberra.
- Why
- Hughes says customer connections, good service and activity on social media can help businesses succeed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Her mother ran a retail store on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
Petterson was running Blonde Concept on the same street.
ABC Australia published its report on personalisation in retail.
- Business
- Blonde Concept
- Owner
- Mia Petterson, 28
- Location
- Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Canberra
- National retail turnover forecast
- 1.5 per cent next financial year, down from 2.8 per cent
- Outlet publication date
- 9 November 2026
What people are saying
the only way to survive
They have good connection with their consumer base, they do good service provision and they're active on socials