MELBOURNE: Fast fashion powerhouse Zara will launch into Melbourne’s CBD next year as part of a national rollout strategy, its local property management firm has revealed.
National director of retail at Colliers International, Nathan Clark, said a site in Bourke Street Mall is scheduled to open in April 2011. The Melbourne location adds to Zara's confirmed site in Westfield Sydney, also scheduled to commence trade in April next year.
“I understand their strategy will probably be in the order of 20 to 30 shops in Australia,” Clark said. “They will be targeting other key states such as Queensland, [South Australia] and Western Australia. From our intel, they'll also be looking at multiple locations within shopping centres.”
Clark revealed Zara was on the lookout for retail spaces between 1200 to 1700 sqm, with an eye for multi-level, flagship sites.
“I think they'll be looking at where their brand is best suited to the demographic. I don't think they're restricted to CBD locations only,” he said.
Clark refuted suggestions Zara would pilfer retail space and sales from local fashion retailers.
“It's not as though they're a Cotton On for instance, with over 250 stores across the country.”
He also highlighted Zara's potential to bring a “fresh look” to the local market.
“I mean, you look at the Zara model – they've got very good price points on their clothing lines and they're forever changing and reinventing themselves.
“I think that it's actually a great thing for Australian retail. A lot of Australian retailers will see that and [will want] to obviously try to compete within that space, so it will be good for them to keep refreshing their stock lines as well.”
Clark also emphasised Zara's “drawcard” status.
“(A) lot of smaller independent Australian or even internationals actually like to be around these stores because they're great traffic generators,” he said.
The confirmation of two retail sites for Zara in Australia follows “many years” of contact between Colliers International and the men's and womenswear fast fashion retailer.
The openings also come in the wake of Zara's efforts to establish itself throughout Asia.
Zara was founded in 1975 and is currently owned and operated by the Spanish-headquartered Inditex Group. The brand has over 1400 stores in 77 countries including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the US and UK.
Erin O'Loughlin