Best Retail & Store Design Consulting Services in Australia

Australia Retail & Store Design Consultants

Australia’s retail and store design landscape is globally recognized for blending architectural creativity, brand storytelling, and consumer psychology into environments that drive loyalty and impact. Whether it’s high-end luxury boutiques, modern hospitality experiences, or agile direct-to-consumer (DTC) concepts, Australian consultancies have consistently delivered groundbreaking work that resonates with both local and international audiences.

These firms not only create spaces that attract customers, but they also use strategic design frameworks to align physical experiences with brand identity. From research-driven storytelling to operational delivery models that span concept to execution, their work defines how Australian retail continues to influence global trends.

This article curates some of the most trusted, research-backed, and client-reviewed retail & store design consultancies in Australia. Each spotlight highlights their unique services, operating styles, and proven strengths — while also offering insights into the leaders behind these firms.

Methodology: How We Chose These Australia-based Retail & Store Design Consultants

Our curation process is designed to maintain radical authenticity while ensuring that featured consultancies are genuinely shaping the industry. Each provider on this list was chosen based on three pillars:

🔍 Research-driven: Verified public results, case studies, and frameworks that demonstrate real impact in retail design.

🗣️ Client-reviewed: Evidence of feedback from clients showing measurable ROI, growth, or experiential success.

📍 Location-based: Agencies and founders rooted in Australia, delivering services with both local expertise and global reach.

This ensures that every consultancy spotlighted is not just creative but also strategically aligned with retail’s evolving needs.

Australian Retail & Store Design Consultants - Featured Providers

Akin Atelier

What they do: Akin Atelier is known for creating retail, hospitality, and residential spaces that balance luxury with cultural storytelling. Their design style often blends minimalism with contextual sensitivity, delivering immersive spaces that feel both aspirational and grounded.

Who they work with: Luxury retail brands, hospitality groups, and cultural institutions.

Operating model or unique approach: The firm works at the intersection of architecture and interior design, leveraging multidisciplinary collaboration to create holistic, brand-centered experiences.

💡 Why they stand out:

✨ Integration of cultural narratives into commercial spaces, creating environments that feel authentic.

🏆 Award-winning hospitality and retail projects recognized internationally.

📐 Strong cross-disciplinary team ensuring seamless architectural and interior cohesion.

Kelvin Ho, Founder of Akin Atelier

Kelvin Ho founded Akin Atelier with a vision to merge architecture and storytelling into spaces that resonate emotionally with audiences. Trained in architecture and recognized for his sensitivity to cultural context, Ho has led numerous high-profile projects in fashion, luxury retail, and hospitality. He is widely known for collaborations with Australian fashion houses, bringing an architect’s precision into lifestyle-driven retail experiences. His leadership emphasizes narrative-rich design, making him a sought-after figure in experiential retail architecture.

Russell & George

What they do: Russell & George delivers design consulting across retail, workplace, and hospitality with a bold and experimental aesthetic. Their work is often rooted in disruption — creating interiors that challenge conventions while staying highly functional.

Who they work with: DTC brands, hospitality groups, and progressive retail innovators.

Operating model or unique approach: The studio integrates architectural experimentation with commercial pragmatism, ensuring their bold ideas remain scalable and functional.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎨 Known for “dark retail” and unconventional design experiments that redefine consumer journeys.

🌍 Global recognition for projects that fuse sustainability with creativity.

📊 Proven ability to align brand positioning with innovative physical experiences.

Ryan Russell, Co-Founder & Director of Russell & George

Ryan Russell is an architect and designer who co-founded Russell & George to push the boundaries of retail and interior design. With a portfolio that spans high-profile international projects, Russell is celebrated for bringing strategic thinking to experimental design. His leadership emphasizes both bold conceptual frameworks and a commitment to sustainability. Known for challenging norms while keeping a sharp eye on brand goals, Russell has made a mark as one of Australia’s leading creative disruptors in retail design.

Byron George, Co-Founder & Director at Russell & George

Byron George is an architect and co-founder of Russell & George, known for merging research-driven concepts with bold spatial experimentation. His portfolio spans award-winning retail, hospitality, and interior projects across Australia and internationally. George’s approach emphasizes narrative, innovation, and challenging conventions, creating environments that are both immersive and strategically aligned with brand identity. Recognized as a leader in contemporary retail design, he continues to shape experiences that blur the line between architecture and storytelling.

Biasol

What they do: Biasol is a multidisciplinary design studio offering retail, hospitality, and product design services with a focus on storytelling and detail. Their signature is blending European design elegance with Australian sensibility.

Who they work with: Premium hospitality, boutique retail, and lifestyle brands.

Operating model or unique approach: The firm integrates branding, interior design, and product development under one roof, allowing clients to create consistent brand worlds.

💡 Why they stand out:

🪑 In-house furniture and product design arm, complementing retail interiors.

🏅 Strong international recognition for blending design and branding seamlessly.

🧩 Ability to unify brand identity across multiple touchpoints, from store layout to product.

Jean-Pierre Biasol, Founder and Director of Biasol

Jean-Pierre Biasol leads his studio with a vision for integrated design that transcends categories. With a background in interior architecture and product design, he has successfully scaled Biasol into an award-winning consultancy recognized in Europe and Asia. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, detail, and authenticity, ensuring clients benefit from holistic brand experiences. Known for bridging product and environment, Biasol has become a voice in shaping how retail experiences can extend into tangible design products.

Foolscap

What they do: Foolscap is a Melbourne-based studio specializing in immersive environments that connect people, place, and purpose. Their portfolio spans retail, hospitality, and large-scale cultural projects.

Who they work with: Cultural institutions, retail innovators, and hospitality groups.

Operating model or unique approach: They apply research-driven frameworks to ensure every project responds to both community and brand needs.

💡 Why they stand out:

📚 Evidence-based design processes that combine academic research with commercial insight.

🌱 Strong emphasis on sustainability and community relevance.

🖼️ Ability to create cultural spaces that resonate beyond transactional retail.

Adele Winteridge, Founding Director of Foolscap

Adele Winteridge founded Foolscap to explore how design could bring social value into commercial environments. Trained in interior architecture, she has built a career on creating human-centered design solutions that are both commercially successful and culturally sensitive. Her leadership is known for blending research with creativity, resulting in projects that feel authentic and rooted in place. Winteridge is widely respected for championing inclusive, evidence-based approaches in Australian retail design.

Loopcreative

What they do: Loopcreative specializes in architecture and interior design for retail, hospitality, and commercial sectors. Their work is characterized by a contemporary aesthetic and a focus on customer engagement.

Who they work with: National retailers, hospitality groups, and global lifestyle brands.

Operating model or unique approach: The studio offers end-to-end services from concept to delivery, ensuring brand alignment through every stage of the project.

💡 Why they stand out:

🔄 Full-cycle delivery model that covers design, documentation, and build.

🌟 Proven expertise in crafting lifestyle-driven retail experiences.

🏗️ Hands-on leadership ensuring quality execution across diverse projects.

Rod Faucheux, Director of Loopcreative

Rod Faucheux is an architect and designer who established Loopcreative to deliver integrated design solutions across retail and hospitality. His career spans decades of experience in both Australia and international markets, where he is recognized for delivering commercially robust yet creative projects. Faucheux’s leadership is practical, detail-oriented, and client-focused, ensuring outcomes that meet both creative vision and operational needs. His reputation is built on guiding projects from concept through construction without losing sight of design integrity.

Alexander &CO.

What they do: Alexander &CO. is an award-winning architecture and interior design studio, delivering projects across retail, hospitality, and residential sectors. Their designs combine craftsmanship with compelling narratives that connect brands to their audiences.

Who they work with: Luxury retailers, boutique hospitality operators, and lifestyle brands.

Operating model or unique approach: They adopt a human-centric design philosophy, blending tactile materiality with storytelling to create environments that feel timeless and meaningful.

💡 Why they stand out:

🏛️ Known for craftsmanship-focused projects that age with elegance.

📖 Narrative-driven frameworks that deepen consumer-brand connections.

🌏 Internationally recognized for hospitality-retail crossovers that feel immersive.

Jeremy Bull, Principal of Alexander &CO.

Jeremy Bull leads Alexander &CO. with a vision of integrating architectural tradition with storytelling and authenticity. He has built a reputation for balancing timeless craftsmanship with forward-thinking design solutions, particularly in retail and hospitality. His leadership is marked by a focus on detail, narrative, and creating spaces that resonate deeply with both clients and end-users.

Mima Design

What they do: Mima Design specializes in architecture and interiors, with a strong focus on retail, workplace, and lifestyle environments. Their work emphasizes function and aesthetic balance, shaping spaces that perform as well as they inspire.

Who they work with: Retail groups, industrial clients, and workplace-driven brands.

Operating model or unique approach: They use a client-first, collaborative approach, ensuring each project is tailored to business needs while delivering design integrity.

💡 Why they stand out:

🛠️ Strong capability in combining industrial precision with retail creativity.

🖼️ Projects that balance visual appeal with operational efficiency.

🤝 Reputation for close, long-term collaborations with clients.

Mark McConnell, Creative Director at Mima Design

Mark McConnell leads Mima Design with a pragmatic yet creative mindset, ensuring design excellence meets business objectives. With decades of experience, he brings both technical expertise and strategic insight to projects, allowing Mima Design to thrive across multiple sectors. McConnell’s leadership emphasizes functionality, adaptability, and client trust.

Dreamtime Australia Design

What they do: Dreamtime Australia Design delivers high-end interior design and branding, particularly for retail, hospitality, and commercial spaces. Their work blends bold creativity with cultural depth, offering distinctive design narratives.

Who they work with: Luxury retailers, hospitality groups, and corporate clients.

Operating model or unique approach: They integrate cultural storytelling into design, using rich textures and bold forms to build memorable consumer experiences.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎭 Expertise in weaving cultural context into modern retail design.

🌟 High-profile projects across luxury retail and hospitality sectors.

🏆 Recognized for bold, statement-driven interiors that define brand identity.

Michael McCann, Founder and Principal of Dreamtime Australia Design

Michael McCann is a leading figure in Australian interior design, celebrated for his innovative approach to brand storytelling through design. As founder of Dreamtime Australia Design, he emphasizes creativity, culture, and theatricality in every project. McCann’s work has had lasting influence in redefining luxury retail and hospitality design in Australia and beyond.

Studio McQualter

What they do: Studio McQualter is known for its creative, expressive approach to retail and hospitality interiors. Their work is often playful, eclectic, and rooted in character-rich storytelling.

Who they work with: Boutique retailers, hospitality venues, and lifestyle brands.

Operating model or unique approach: They focus on creating unique atmospheres that reflect each brand’s individuality, rather than adhering to trends or formulas.

💡 Why they stand out:

🎨 Playful, eclectic style that creates visually memorable retail environments.

🖤 Focus on individuality over uniform design, ensuring uniqueness.

🌟 Strong reputation in boutique and high-end lifestyle projects.

Don McQualter, Director of Studio McQualter

Don McQualter leads the studio with an emphasis on creativity, individuality, and atmosphere. His career has been marked by projects that prioritize brand personality and consumer experience over conventional design approaches. McQualter is respected for his boldness and originality, shaping Studio McQualter into a studio synonymous with artistic retail design.

Richards Stanisich

What they do: Richards Stanisich delivers high-quality interior design services with a focus on retail, hospitality, and residential spaces. Their work reflects sophistication, timelessness, and material integrity.

Who they work with: Boutique and luxury retailers, hospitality brands, and developers.

Operating model or unique approach: They prioritize narrative-led design with strong attention to detail, ensuring each project feels timeless rather than trend-driven.

💡 Why they stand out:

🖤 Elegant, timeless interiors with enduring appeal.

📖 Storytelling approach that aligns brand values with spatial experiences.

🏆 Renowned for combining hospitality sensibilities with retail sophistication.

Kirsten Stanisich, Director of Richards Stanisich

Kirsten Stanisich co-founded Richards Stanisich to bring authenticity, craft, and enduring quality to Australian design. She is respected for her ability to merge storytelling with material exploration, producing interiors that are both beautiful and purposeful. Stanisich’s leadership reflects a commitment to timelessness and cultural richness in retail design.

The Future of Retail & Store Design Consulting in Australia

Australia’s leading retail and store design consultants are reshaping how brands connect with audiences by blending architecture, storytelling, and cultural depth. Their work emphasizes immersive environments that go beyond aesthetics, building meaningful connections between people and place. Across sectors such as luxury retail, hospitality, lifestyle, and workplace design, these firms bring unique frameworks that unite strategy with creativity. What sets them apart is their ability to merge function and inspiration, creating experiences that endure. Collectively, they highlight the relevance of design as a driver of both brand identity and long-term value.

At Digital Reference, radical authenticity is about aligning strategy and execution so every experience reflects true brand character. This focus ensures that design decisions are not just visually compelling but also rooted in clarity and purpose.

Explore more from Digital Reference to uncover how authenticity drives resilience in business. Begin with perspectives that expand into the full ecosystem of modern practice:

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Retail and store design in Australia demonstrates how space can become a lasting channel of meaning and connection. The firms leading this shift prove that environments are most powerful when shaped by authenticity and relevance. For businesses, the lesson is clear: successful design is not an aesthetic choice but a strategic one that amplifies brand truth. To explore this intersection of design, strategy, and enduring value, start with Digital Reference.