Mecca consolidates Chadstone footprint into 2400sqm flagship
Australian beauty giant Mecca is shrinking its store count at Chadstone while significantly expanding its footprint by consolidating its three existing stores into a single 2400-square-metre flagship destination.
Rather than adding another location, the retailer is replacing its separate Cosmetica, Maxima and Mecca shops with one major store that will more than double its existing footprint within the iconic Melbourne shopping centre.
Set to open later this year, the flagship will feature more than 200 beauty brands, over 50 bookable services, specialist concepts including Perfumeria, Skin Studio, Beauty Atelier and Apothecary, and a dedicated external entrance. The company has once again employed architects Studio McQualter, which completed Mecca’s Bourke Street flagship last year.
The project builds on Mecca’s long-standing relationship with Chadstone, where the retailer first opened a shop in 1999.
“For more than 25 years, Chadstone has played an important role in the Mecca story,” says Mecca’s chief new concepts officer, Maria Tsaousis.
“This new destination brings together the very best of Mecca in one place, from world-class brands and personalised services to wellness, innovation and immersive experiences.
“It’s designed to reflect how our customers want to discover, experience and engage with beauty today.”
Chadstone centre manager Martine Criswick says the project represents a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between the two brands.
“Mecca has always been an important part of Chadstone, and we’re proud to partner on this exciting new chapter,” she says. “This evolution reflects our shared commitment to innovation and delivering world-class experiences.”
Retail consolidation shifts focus toward experiential flagship models
The decision to consolidate three stores into one comes as retailers increasingly invest in larger destination formats that encourage customers to spend more time in-store through services and experiences that can’t easily be replicated online.
It also reflects continued confidence in Melbourne’s premium retail market.
According to Colliers, retail was Australia’s most actively traded commercial property sector for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Investment volumes reached $13.16 billion as investors continued to favour high-quality shopping centres with resilient customer demand.
“Australian retail has attracted significant capital and the sector is positioned as a standout investment destination in 2026,” says Lachlan MacGillivray, Colliers’ managing director of Asia Pacific retail capital markets.
“We expect to see heightened levels of transactional activity this year, with investors returning to core retail and strongly pursuing high-quality retail centres with robust cash flows.”
