At ECO Benchtops, we believe surfaces do more than serve a function-they shape how people feel in a space. This came to life at the transformed T2 store at Highpoint, where our premium benchtop installation played a big part in lifting the retail environment.
The Sandbox Group designed the project, and Greater Group handled the fit-out. This project shows how smart, high-quality materials can change a retail space. This case study shows how our eco-friendly, durable surfaces became the base-both visually and practically-for one of Australia’s leading tea retailers.
T2 Highpoint is more than a store-it’s a multi-sense retail experience. The space is built to encourage interaction through touch, smell, and sight. Every design detail supports the brand’s unique style and customer engagement goals. The countertop for the retail store, supplied by ECO Benchtops, was created to meet these needs while standing up to daily use in a busy retail setting.
Crafting the Perfect Countertop for a Retail Store
When T2 and its design team planned the store layout, one feature was important: a retail countertop. This countertop would support all customer interactions, from browsing to purchases at the point of sale.
Our goal was to create a surface that looked great and could stand up to everyday use. The retail countertop display had to feel refined while being tough enough for real-world demands. This surface was Yarra Storm (formerly Budapest Drift).
From the central cash register to the tea-tasting areas and other displays, our benchtops supported both style and function. The chosen material was durable, stain-resistant, and eco-friendly, with a smooth finish that tied into the store’s modern look.
Design, Durability and Display in Harmony
At T2 Highpoint, the retail countertop display plays several roles. It helps shape the customer journey, highlights key products, and handles all types of activity, from sampling to sales.
Made from recycled glass, our benchtops are free from crystalline silica, making them safer for both workers and the environment. This countertop for the retail store was picked for its strength, easy upkeep, and eco-friendly qualities.
It also had to match the nearby counters and displays, like the Gift Library and Fragrance Testing Station. These are two key features that define T2’s creative retail space.
The Collaboration: Greater Group & Sandbox Group
This project was a team effort between Greater Group, and Sandbox Group. Greater Group led the store fit-out and joinery with support from ECO Benchtops, Greater Group made sure our benchtops worked perfectly with their custom builds and the overall vision.
Sandbox Group handled the store’s creative design. Their focus was to match T2’s brand identity with a clean, welcoming layout. Our benchtops-built to act as both workspaces and display surfaces-fit right into their plan.
Functional Elegance for a Modern POS Counter
The new fit-out includes a large point of sale counter with built-in glass display shelves. It works as both a checkout and a product showcase. The benchtop needed to be tough, easy to clean, and always presentable-even during busy times.
Following the store’s clean layout, our benchtop added polish and style. Positioned at the heart of the sale counter, it helped connect the space visually while handling everyday tasks with ease.
Customers are drawn to the benchtop-it’s inviting to touch and view. For staff, it’s practical and reliable. That balance is what we aim for in every countertop for retail store installation.
Project Info
Colour: Yarra Storm (was Budapest Drift)
Project: Highpoint T2
Architect: The Sandbox Group
Stonemason: Imperial Stone Industries
Shop Fitter: The Greater Group
Driving Sales Through Design: Measurable Results
The Highpoint store update paid off quickly. Sales in the first week beat expectations by more than 30%. The new layout-including sensory areas and our benchtops-kept shoppers in the store longer and created more positive feedback.
This shows how smart retail design makes a difference. The right materials and layout don’t just look good-they affect how people shop. In this case, the countertop display helped make the store more engaging and more successful.
Our surface solution worked well with the new point of sale design. It supported staff and customer movement and doubled as a stage for new products and samples. These elements helped T2 build a stronger brand connection through small moments of surprise and interaction.
Material Benefits: Safety Meets Sustainability
Choosing the right materials is one of the most important parts of a store design. At T2 Highpoint, our benchtop offered three key benefits:
- Crystalline Silica-Free: Our recycled glass option gives peace of mind about worker health and safety.
- Stain and Scratch Resistant: Built to handle the daily demands of a busy tea shop.
- Responsibly Made: Using recycled glass, our product supports the shift toward eco-conscious materials.
These features made our benchtop the perfect choice as the countertop for retail store use at T2. It helped make the space future-ready while reflecting the brand’s eco-friendly values.
Elevating the Retail Experience Through Counter Design
Countertops might not be the first thing you notice in a store, but they play a big role in how a space feels and works. For T2, the countertop retail display helped tell their story while serving real needs in a busy shop.
With other design details like glass counters, smart joinery, and a flowing layout, our benchtop helped bring the vision to life. It had the strength of traditional surfaces with a more polished, stylish look.
Whether used at the cash register, the point of sale, or tasting stations, the benchtop performed well and looked great doing it.
Conclusion: The Power of Countertop Display in Retail
The T2 Highpoint project shows that a strong countertop in retail stores does more than hold products. It can also support the whole brand experience.
As more retailers look for eco-friendly, safe, and interactive spaces, the right countertop makes a real difference. We’re proud to have been part of this project and to offer surfaces that combine safety, style, and strength.
From counters to showcases and point of sale areas, ECO Benchtops brings high-performing, design-forward surfaces that elevate any retail space.
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Take the next step in creating a space that reflects your values. Contact ECO Benchtops.
