Bundaberg, QLD
Bundaberg is a progressive city boasting beautiful heritage buildings along with modern, dynamic architecture and offers a wide range of attractions such as the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Located 370km north of Brisbane, the city of Bundaberg has become one of Queensland's most advanced cities and with its unprecedented progress and development in recent years has become the commercial centre of the Wide Bay Region.
Lyndon Petterson store manager of Eric Lye Menswear says Bundaberg is experiencing rapid growth in the property market, which is attracting more people to the area.
"At the moment Bundaberg and a lot of the coastal areas are going through huge real estate boom. A lot of people from the south are coming up and buying a lot of real estate up this way," says Petterson.
"Because more people are moving into town there is a need for more shops in the area. One of the shopping centres is expanding quite a lot."
"Tourism is a big thing too. We get a lot of backpackers who come up here to work as fruit and vegetable Eric Lye Menswear stocks casual, after five and work wear from the likes of RM Williams, Levi, King Gee, Farah and City Club. Accessories such as Akubra hats and RM Williams boots are also available.
Donna Stedman owner of Backstage Boutique says Bundaberg provides a great shopping experience in a relaxed environment.
"Bundaberg is really laid back and a nice place to live because you have all the shopping benefits without it going over the top like the Sunshine Coast," says Stedman.
"It's a little quiter here but you don't feel the pressure of congestion like the traffic."
Stedman also says that major developments which are currently underway in the area will combine a couple of shopping centres near the CBD.
"It's still in development but there will be I think a big boom in retailers in the complex. But whether that will take away trade from the main street area over to the new complex- that we'll have to wait and see. But that is probably on a lot of people's minds as retailers."
Backstage Boutique sells dancewear, activewear and swimwear. Top selling brands include Seafolly, Moontide, Speedo and Nike. Accessories such as jewellry, sunglasses and fitness related products are also available.
LOCATION: 370km north of Brisbane.
POPULATION: 55, 000.
MAJOR INDUSTRIES: Sugar production, rum distilling (the town is the home of Bundaberg Rum) and horticulture.
STORES: Eric Lye Menswear, Backstage Boutique.
BRANDS: RM Williams, Levi, King Gee, Farah, City Club, Seafolly, Moontide, Speedos and Nike.