Just Group taps into holiday season

NATIONAL: Australian retail powerhouse The Just Group has announced an aggressive expansion and refurbishment program in the lead up to Christmas.

In 2006/07, the publicly listed company increased the number of fashion stores in Australia and New Zealand from 775 to 810, with 873 sites expected to be open by Christmas.

Managing director Jason Murray said The Just Group was in the midst of its largest store opening and refurbishment in history. Coupled with an increased expansion of its Australasian store network, Murray said the company planned to bolster the presence of its co-owned and operated Jay Jays stores in South Africa, taking the number from 14 to 20 stores by Christmas.

The Just Group is also set to venture into the American apparel market in 2008 with the launch of 4 Peter Alexander stores in California. Murray confirmed three sites had already been confirmed with Americana at Brand in LA, Robertson Boulevard in LA and Valley Fair Westfield in San Jose.

He said the construction of a new distribution centre in Auckland, the sourcing of new factories outside of China and continued investment in the companies IT and training systems would help to sustain company growth.

"Through the life of our strategic plan, we will continue to expand and upgrade our fast fashion retail machine. The machine allows us to maximise the value of our portfolio of brands by taking those brands to as many consumers as possible in a fast and efficient manner."