Yamaha will this Saturday (26 July 2014) open its second and latest concept store in Brisbane, following the launch of its first ‘Sound Centre’ in Perth in February 2014.

Unlike Apple or Samsung, Yahama prefers to partner with an existing retailer for its branded stores, rather than investing in a standalone retail presence. The new Brisbane Centre, located at the corner of Sandgate and Pritchard Roads in Virginia, on Brisbane’s northside, is in partnership with Todd’s Hi-Fi. A popular destination for speakers, panels and projectors since launching in 1962, Todd’s also has a dealership in Tingalpa in the city’s southern suburbs.

“The opening of the new Sound Centre at Todd’s Hi Fi is a landmark event for Yamaha in Australia,” said Yamaha Music Australia GM Simon Goldsworthy. “For the first time, customers on the Eastern seaboard will have the opportunity to experience what truly makes Yamaha the world’s foremost sound company.”

“The recent redevelopment of the Virginia location has seen the store transform into Yamaha’s premier showroom in the Eastern states with custom Yamaha installations and displays. The fit-out realises the vision for a new generation of Yamaha concept stores throughout Australia, positioning the brand at the forefront of customers’ minds and in the retail channel.”

Alan Todd from  Todd’s Hi-Fi said Apple Retail Stores and Bose branded outlets were an inspiration for this new venture, which will incorporate a very deep range of equipment from the Japanese brand.

“The complete range of Yamaha sound equipment (over 300 products) will be displayed on 14 interactive stands enabling you to touch, feel and experience the Yamaha’s incredible options in sound. Dedicated stores by Apple and Bose have enabled people to better experience those products and we intend to do the same for Yamaha.”

Todd also said that Sonos, Panasonic and Bowers & Wilkins will be benefiting from what he described as a “total refit of the store”.

“I can guarantee that if you enjoy sound or vision our new store will impress you. Our commitment to the brands we recommend also means we get the best price, enabling us to complete with our bigger competitors.”

In advance of the Sound Centre opening to the public on Saturday, Yamaha is hosting a gala ceremony on Thursday evening (24 July 2014), including a ribbon cutting by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman.

Once opened, this Centre will join Yamaha’s Perth branded concept store opened as part of the West Coast Hi-Fi showroom in Malaga. At the time of this first launch, Goldsworthy said these centres were being opened to give consumers more choice:

“Yamaha has an extensive range of products, both within its traditional categories as well new categories such has desktop audio and headphones.  With most retailers spoilt for choice and only wanting to stock a limited number of brands in each price point, not every model gets taken on and, therefore, does not get displayed.”

Our coverage of the Perth store opening contains images from inside the Yamaha Sound Centre. We will endeavour to have images from inside the new Brisbane store shortly after its opening.

This author is on Twitter: @Patrickavenell