Stephen Withers
Thursday, 05 March 2009 07:54
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
An Australian icon is disappearing from our shopping centres. It's on a par with KFC ditching Colonel Sanders' face.
The smiling face of Dick Smith has been part of the Australian retail landscape for decades.
Dick continued to beam down from the chain of electronics stores that bears his name even after the business was purchased by retail giant Woolworths (which later added Tandy's Australian operations to its fold).
But it could be that the slightly nerdy image is considered passé as the store continues to shift its focus from 'real' electronics to consumer electronics.
Driving down a suburban highway, I passed a Dick Smith Powerhouse store. The exterior had obviously been refurbished with a new predominantly black colour scheme, but I didn't pay too much attention at the time - you've got to keep your eyes on the traffic.
So later I checked out the
Dick Smith Electronics web site, and yes, it was true.
The familiar logo has gone!
While the house colours are still yellow and black, Dick's face is nowhere to be seen.
What else has vanished? Please
read on.
