Gazman cashes in on Christmas

MELBOURNE: Menswear retailer Gazman will open six new retail stores across the country before Christmas. Sites in shopping complex Marina Mirage (Gold Coast), Westfield Doncaster (Melbourne) and Hobart were already confirmed at the time of press.

The Melbourne-headquartered chain said it also planned to refurbish existing stores as part of a broader development plan.

Gazman executive chairman Garry Austin told Inside Retailing that strong sales had been generated over the previous year, with a 17 per cent increase in fiscal 2008.

"Gazman has continued to enjoy double digit growth for the past six months but it is the next six months that will test some retailers," he told the trade publication.

Austin said the company would continue to expand its retail presence over the next 12 months and maintain its wholesale accounts with department stores Myer and David Jones.