THE GRAD SHOP, UNSW
The Grad Shop at UNSW has long been a central destination for students and alumni seeking official apparel, accessories and graduation merchandise.
When planning a full retail store fitout, the team partnered with Total Fitouts Sydney South East to transform the space into a more flexible, modern and operationally efficient environment. Apex Display was specified for the project, with the UniSlot Shopfitting System chosen for its adaptability, durability and strong visual alignment with university retail settings.
Design Objectives
The store required a solution that could keep pace with the dynamic nature of campus retailing. Key objectives included:
- Improving visibility across apparel, gifts and graduation categories
- Simplifying customer flow while navigating multiple structural pillars
- Enhancing darker architectural pockets and underutilised zones
- Allowing staff to refresh displays multiple times per week without tools
- Aligning the fitout with UNSW’s bold black and yellow brand identity
During peak seasons such as Orientation Week and graduation, apparel and gift categories expand rapidly, requiring a layout that accommodates sudden increases in stock volume and heavy hands-on browsing.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Company: The Grad Shop, UNSW
Shop Fitter: Total Fitouts, Sydney South East
Industry: Uniform Apparel
Completed: August 2024
Products Used in The Grad Shop, UNSW Fitout:
- UniSlot™ Cube – creating flexible feature displays and window merchandising.
- UniSlot™ Freestand – ideal for navigating perimeter pillars while maintaining continuous wall merchandising.
- UniSlot™ Modular Gondolas – offering adaptable floor displays that support rapid product changes during busy academic periods.
- UniSlot™ H-Frame Gondolas – providing strong, structured zones for apparel and accessories, helping guide customer flow through the store.
Metal Finish: Black
Timber Finishes: Black, Boston Oak, Native Oak
The blonde timber accents provided contrast against UNSW’s black palette, helping merchandise stand out while maintaining brand cohesion.
View our UniSlot™ range of timber finishes here, or choose from any premium finish available from FlexiPanel, Laminex, Polytex or Navurban.
Apex Display supplied a carefully curated UniSlot package, offering the flexibility and visual consistency required for a busy university retail environment. The combination of black metal with warm timber grains created a refined aesthetic that strengthened the store’s brand presentation.
A key differentiator in this project was the decision to use UniSlot™ instead of Slatwall or fixed-bracket systems. The Grad Shop team needed fixtures that staff could adjust repeatedly and quickly. UniSlot’s tool-less flexibility enabled fast repositioning of shelves, rails and display elements, reducing reliance on trades and providing long-term merchandising freedom.
Challenges & Solutions
Working Around Structural Pillars
The store’s multiple perimeter pillars interrupted potential wall runs. UniSlot™ Freestand allowed the design team to create continuous merchandising lines that neatly wrapped around each pillar. This meant staff could merchandise full apparel ranges without losing display capacity or visual flow.
Transforming a Low-Light Bulkhead Area
A dim section under a bulkhead was easily overlooked before the refit. By installing UniSlot™ Cube units with header panels, the space became a defined feature zone that now draws customers toward key graduation and gift merchandise.
Resolving Central Floor Gaps
Two central columns created an awkward open space with little merchandising value. Total Fitouts introduced a custom herringbone table, supported by UniSlot™ Modular Gondolas and UniSlot™ H-Frame Gondolas, adding purpose and structure to the centre of the store.
Supporting Frequent Product Changes
With stock levels and priorities shifting throughout the academic year, the store needed a system that was quick to adjust. UniSlot’s interchangeable components allowed staff to make daily and weekly layout changes with confidence, ensuring displays remained tidy and cohesive even during peak periods.
The Result
The completed fitout provides The Grad Shop with a clean, contemporary and highly functional space that supports UNSW’s brand identity and fast-moving retail needs. The UniSlot™ Shopfitting System gives the team the flexibility to adapt the layout quickly as product ranges grow or change. Store staff noted that the new configuration makes it easier to keep high-demand apparel zones tidy during busy periods such as Orientation Week. According to the Total Fitouts Sydney South East team, using the UniSlot™ System made the installation process smoother and set the store up for efficient future adjustments.
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