Retail showroom interior design
Building expansive spaces for large format retail showrooms
Functional spaces are key for large-format retail stores, enabling effective displays of big-ticket items isn’t just practical for shoppers —it’s a science.
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Smart budget management
Future-ready spaces
Large format fit out solutions under one roof
Fitting out expansive retail stores isn’t just about filling a space with products—it’s about creating a skillfully crafted environment that enhances both function and shopper experience.
Did you know there are 14 key interior design fundamentals we consider when designing a large format retail showroom?
From strategic lighting and temperature control to layouts that guide customers seamlessly from the entrance to the rear of the store, every detail matters. Durable, attractive flooring, thoughtful zoning to showcase product categories, and smart integration of signage and acoustics all play a role in shaping the space.
Behind the scenes, staff areas, compliance with accessibility standards, and energy-efficient systems ensure day to day operations run smoothly.
By blending branding, sustainability, and adaptability, we create spaces that are not only visually impressive but also highly functional, giving your business the best chance to maximise your sales.
We’ll work with any business in any industry
Our services
Explore our range of design and build services. At your consultation, we’ll discuss your ideas and objectives and plan the best path forward.
Commercial fitouts
Give us a blank space (or let us create one), and we’ll transform it into your perfect workspace or venue for guests.
Design & construct
Sphere will assess, design, and build your space, seamlessly handling every detail from start to finish.
Workplace refurbishments
Renovate your existing site and optimise every square metre for function and aesthetics.
Defits & strip outs
Exactly what it says on the tin: when your lease is up, we’ll make good before you leave.
Workplace consultancy
Our workplace consultants bring your culture to life, activating a space that screams you.
Our proven process
If you don’t have a designer or shopfitter, we offer tailored design and construction services. We can also work with your architect, designer, or shopping centre manager to ensure smooth project delivery.
Initial Consultation
Finding the right location shapes your success. Our detailed site assessments examine crucial factors like foot traffic patterns, operational flow, and growth potential. We help you make informed decisions that support your long-term vision.
Design development
Bringing your vision to life requires careful planning. Every detail serves a purpose in driving your retail performance.
Material selection
Quality shows in the details. We source materials and fixtures that withstand heavy retail use while maintaining their appeal. Our selections combine durability with design excellence, ensuring lasting performance.
Quality assurance
Before you open your doors, we verify every element meets our exacting standards. Our thorough inspection process ensures your space delivers the performance you expect from day one.
Melbourne's trusted retail builders
Join Australia's leading retailers. Build with confidence
Testimonials from our gracious clients
Our clients have been gracious enough to write us a few words of recommendation.
Why work with Sphere?
Every bulky goods retail space faces unique challenges. From managing heavy stock flow to creating inviting showrooms, our shopfit experience transforms these challenges into opportunities. We blend practical interior solutions with retail innovation to deliver.
Load-bearing specialists
Starting with reinforced flooring, we design infrastructure that withstands heavy-duty operations while delivering a polished, professional interior—all within your budget.
Qualified electrical contractors
From 3-phase power for active displays, integrated security systems and traffic flow sensors, our planning ensures your showroom can power and protect everything from spas to commercial appliances, preventing costly post-opening modifications
Operations first design principles
Our designs ensure smooth access from loading dock to shop floor. We create pathways that protect your interiors during stock movement, with practical solutions to help your team manage inventory easily.
Safety and compliance
We design spaces that prioritise safe equipment movement, ensuring efficient stock management through carefully engineered access points that protect your team and assets
FAQs
We’re just answering a few basics. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
How much does a fitout cost?
The Average cost range: $800-1,200 per square metre.
This typically includes:
- Basic suspended grid ceiling with standard tiles
- LED highbay or track lighting systems
- Commercial grade vinyl or sealed concrete flooring
- Standard electrical distribution
- Basic HVAC modifications
- Essential fire services compliance
- Perimeter and limited internal plasterboard walls
- Stock display infrastructure
- Basic staff amenities
Key factors affecting costs:
- Location (metro areas running 15-20% higher)
- Ceiling heights (typically 4.5m-6m)
- Services infrastructure requirements
- Display lighting requirements
- Stock weight ratings for flooring
Connect with our experts for personalsed guidance on creating an accurate and detailed cost estimate.
How are sustainable practices affecting fit-out costs?
Sustainable fit-outs typically add 8-12% to initial costs but reduce operating expenses by 20-25% over five years.
Key investments include LED lighting systems, smart HVAC controls, and recycled materials. Australian retailers increasingly prioritize these elements, not just for environmental impact but for long-term cost benefits and consumer appeal.
What's driving the shift toward higher ceilings in large format retail?
Modern bulky goods retailers are increasingly specifying 6m+ ceiling heights, up from traditional 4.5m standards.
This trend reflects changing consumer behaviors and operational efficiencies. Higher ceilings allow better product visualization, more efficient stock management, and reduced HVAC costs through improved air circulation.
Our projects show 15-20% improvement in operational efficiency with optimized ceiling heights.
How does AI help you deliver a project?
In the large format retail sector, AI tools enhance three key areas: spatial planning, project scheduling, and cost efficiency.
Here's a real-world example of AI in action:
For a recent 2,800m² furniture showroom fitout, Our AI models identified the best delivery dock placement by analyzing stock movement patterns in a six week period at a similar outlet. Our models processed delivery data and stock weights, redesigning the loading zone to cut handling time by 35%.
During construction, our AI technology adapted to material delays. When framing was delayed by three weeks, it recalculated tasks, bringing forward other works to keep the project on track, preserving the completion date despite supply chain disruptions.
Our AI cost management tool tracked material prices and flagged a 12% spike in material costs, suggesting pre-purchasing key components, saving $42,000 which otherwise may have been passed on to the client..
Result: The project was delivered two weeks early and 8% under budget.
Technology drives progress, and we are leading the way, pioneering Australia's construction industry.
Why do Melbourne's leading retailers consistently choose Sphere for their bulky goods shop fitouts?
Having delivered retail store projects across Melbourne's key growth corridors and inner city shopping precincts, we understand the unique challenges of the Victorian market. Our team's expertise spans council requirements, heritage overlays, and stringent building codes specific to each municipality.
From Moorabbin's industrial district to Richmond's bustling retail hub, we have successfully navigated intricate regulatory frameworks to create exceptional, high-performing retail spaces.
Our deep relationships with local suppliers and trades, combined with our proven track record in managing Melbourne's unique site conditions, ensures your project benefits from genuine local expertise backed by advanced delivery systems. Every decision we make is informed by real Melbourne retail experience.
A little light lunch-break reading
Read through our guides and explainers to better understand what’s involved with commercial fit outs.
Our accreditations and partnerships
Let’s talk
Give us a call, drop us a message or let us know if you’d like to stop by our Melbourne offices.
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