E - News Briefs

SURFING ONLINE
BRISBANE: Surfwear retailer City Beach Australia has officially launched its online store. The site went live in the first week of December just in time for Christmas trade, and complements the retailer’s 59 retail stores. Its online arm sells apparel, footwear, accessories and swimwear from labels such as Billabong, Rip Curl, Elwood, Insight, Mooloola and Aztec Rose. The retailer has sites in Perth, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast,

A SPORTING START
SYDNEY: Women’s and men’s fashion chain Sportscraft also cashed in on the festive season, launching its online store in the lead up to Christmas. Addressing demand from rural Australia, New Zealand and expats based abroad, the company made the entire Sportscraft collection available online including apparel, accessories and essential classics such as the white shirt, trench coat and white denim jean. The e-shop features a ‘Shop the Look’ section, where consumers can purchase a styled outfit at a discounted rate and receive free shipping, as well as VIP and gift wrapping services.  Sportscraft has 25 free-standing stores and 148 concession stores in Myer and David Jones.

CAREERS START ONLINE
NATIONAL: Up-and-coming fashion designers now have one more avenue to help them gain industry exposure. Young Designers Online (www.youngdesignersonline.com.au) is a new website that aims to promote the next big names in fashion and beauty to both consumers and the media. Founded by Kelly Butson and due to go live in February, the website will allow emerging designers to sell their designs to the public without taking on the “huge outlays” often associated with new businesses, Butson said.

INDEPENDENT EDGE
NATIONAL: Therese Rawsthorne, Gary Bigeni, Karla Spetic and boutique Pretty Dog are launching e-commerce stores, according to the creative director of software system Swappler. Andrew Apostola said Antipodium and Josh Goot were also in discussions to launch their own stores using the program. Other recent e-commerce launches using the system include Arnsdorf, Gail Sorronda, TV, Sara Phillips and Melbourne boutique Milly Sleeping.