Global design studio, Landini Associates, unveil the opening of LoSurdo’s new Fresh Food Market at Chatswood Chase, Sydney, a project aimed at redefining a global industry and refocusing food retailing back to what matters –people, product and community.
Grocery shopping is increasingly becoming transactional, with the majority of global innovation focused on the check-out process, therefore continuing to hero how people spend, rather than why people spend.
Landini Associates have challenged this approach, by designing for the future, while honouring the past. Embracing what they describe as “the romance of nothingness”, the design is stripped back to its essential beauty and the soul of an original market is revived. LoSurdo’s is an antidote to the clutter of modern retail, a community place of fresh discoveries and conversation, where food is celebrated again, and every visit brings a little extra joy.
A Legacy of Trust and Innovation
This design marks the culmination of a 30-year partnership between two Italian families – an “associazione delle famiglie” – who’s shared passion for uncompromising quality and innovation are unmatched. A journey of trust, support, and a love of food, LoSurdo’s original Chatswood Chase store, one of Landini’s first food clients, was a significant step forward for both families.
“Working with LoSurdo’s is more than a design project, it’s a joint statement on what fresh food retail can be,” says David Spires, Strategy Director of Landini Associates. “It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t always about technology, but about establishing new expectations, shaping our clients’ futures, and redefining market trends.”
Since 1995, Landini Associates has revolutionized retail design for numerous global brands:
• Designed “the world’s best supermarket” for Loblaws at the historic Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto;
• Redefined the layout of Esselunga supermarkets in Italy;
• Transformed the Marks & Spencer concept, bringing it closer to the traditional market experience;
• Designed the award-winning SSG Food Market for eMart in Seoul;
• Integrated digital innovation into Parisian markets with Mon-Marché (Grand Frais);
• Revamped the entire ALDI store network in Australia and supported the brand’s entry into China;
• Developed the hybrid grocery-dining concept for FairPrice Finest at Clarke Quay.
Designing for the Heart of Fresh Food
“When it comes to local markets, the design should be invisible. It’s all about the merchandise – how it’s presented, lit, and experienced by customers,” explains Mark Landini, Creative Director of Landini Associates. “Our new design for LoSurdo’s reflects this philosophy, something that taps into the psyche of customers all over the world, o`ering a vibrant marketplace where produce, fresh food, and connection take centre stage, while promoting operational e`iciency for the business”.
Landini’s design balances authenticity with functionally, celebrating the LoSurdo family legacy by amplifying the beauty of quality produce through quite innovation and uncomplicated design. In doing so, the new market transforms grocery shopping back to its roots – a sensory and emotional experience.
The Modern Marketplace
Inspired by true marketplaces around the world, the new LoSurdo’s is brimming with the same energy, connection, and quality seen in markets from London to Lisbon, Rome to Rabat. This inspiration was merged with key principles that were created to bring the store into a modern era, ensuring the design resonates with customers and global retailers alike.
• Celebration, Craftsmanship: An in-house bakery, butcher, deli, and live seafood counter bring the artistry of a traditional market to life, showcasing hand-touched craftsmanship at every turn. The locally sourced grocery range is presented from all perspectives, with angled ceiling mirrors amplifying the abundance and quality of the produce.
• Curation, Not Clutter: Every element, from the presentation of Mediterranean delicacies to the weekly produce boxes, is designed to simplify choices for the consumer, encouraging an increased basket-size through “discoverable purchasing” while offering an elevated shopping experience.
• Local Relationships, Global Excellence: While Landini’s design emphasises LoSurdo’s deep ties to family-held farms and local growers, it also creates standards that raise this environment beyond local, rivalling the best food markets in the world and challenging what many believe to be “normal”.
This modern marketplace, the latest collaboration between Landini Associates and LoSurdo’s, brings the design studio’s global expertise back to where it began, reflecting a shared commitment to “reinventing normal”. This isn’t just a place to shop – it’s a place to explore, savour, and rediscover the joy of exceptional food, with on-hand expertise of real people who care about what you eat.
Now open, the new LoSurdo’s at Chatswood Chase is a reinvention of the neighbourhood market, designed to delight Sydney’s fresh food lovers.
Photo credit Trevor Mein