Melbourne's markdown Mecca

Cut-price fashion retail in the centre of the Victorian capital is poised for a shot in the arm with the arrival of two major discount outlets.
Construction of discount colossus Harbour Town is currently underway in Melbourne's Waterfront City, Docklands. The centre - mooted as Australia's biggest and due for completion in 2008 - will comprise around 20,000 square metres of open air retail space offering shoppers up to 70 per cent off premium brands, while a further 21,000 square metres will house around 100 specialty outlets, many of them fashion retailers.
Harbour Town, jointly owned by ING Real Estate and Lewis Land, operates centres in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, offering a multitude of cut-price brands including Esprit, Table Eight, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Cotton On and JAG.
ING Real Estate leasing director Barry Stockton said it was expected the success of the centres - all of them 100 percent occupied and trading strongly - would be replicated at Waterfront City.
"This will be the fourth Harbour Town based on the proven formula of quality brands located in a vibrant open air shopping environment with ample parking, easy access and heavy promotion to national and international shopping and tourist markets."
News of Harbour Town's advent coincided with the opening in late November of discount giant DFO's Spencer street outlet in central Melbourne. DFO's tenants include: Aquila, Country Road, FCUK, GUESS, Industrie, Jacqui E, Just Jeans, Peter Alexander, Politix, Portmans, Simone Perele, Steve Madden, Table Eight and Witchery.