Love a bargain? DFO Essendon has a pretty good selection of brands we all love, plus it's part of this huge homemaker - like centre. Here you'll find: Freedom Furniture (massive must be full range store) the Good Guys (massive store), Nick Scali Furniture (massive), Spotlight (massive store with plenty of stock), Dan Murphys, Beacon Lighting, Adairs...you get the idea. Every store here is massive.
Fashion wise, I reckon they do stock, apart from last seasons threads, current season too (hello Industrie?) which I suppose caters to all manner of taste and seasonal needs. Heck, grab some summer Quickie Rippie t- shirts in winter for summer and you're all set for what's coming next.
The DFO complex is huge and there's two mid-sized food courts and a few cafes dotted throughout the place. This DFO has one main entrance and exit unlike the other DFOs which makes it less confusing to navigate a mammoth complex. Look at the map as you enter and then either go clockwise or anti-clockwise works both ways. Restrooms are in alleys between the shops just look above for the navigation signage.
Plus points are tenants seem to be clustered together according to type of merchandise i.e. kitchenalia and dining are next to each other, homewares and decor, professional workwear labels are beside each other, streetwear and surf labels etc. Makes for good price checks and comparisons.
Ample parking, and walking a little bit won't necessarily kill you. Just watch out for cars reversing in and out. That can get pretty hairy.
Service is pretty good from almost all the shops i went into, considering its a bargain depot of sorts. Some of them were really helpful too.
DFO is one of those places you can never leave without getting something anything. read more