New Zealand-owned Rembrandt is embarking on a trans-Tasman expansion of it eponymous brand.
The menswear manufacturer and wholesaler already has three Sydney stores and as a result of good sales in Australia, managing director David Lyford has revealed the new plans.
Following the opening of its first own-brand store in Auckland on Friday, Lyford said by the middle of this year there will be four New Zealand Rembrandt stores, including three in Auckland and one in Palmerston North.
“Retail is far from easy in the current economic climate and you have to be on top of your game in every respect,” Lyford said. “Achieving success in the demanding Australian retail market has been a real challenge however, it has made us lift our overall performance as a tailored menswear specialist."
Family-owned Rembrandt began in 1946 as a bespoke tailoring business and today prices for a suit made individually for the customer start at $795.
Garments are crafted at the company’s production facility in New Zealand or made under contract by specialist manufacturers overseas.
Lyford said sales are split 50-50 across Australia and New Zealand and while suits are the biggest contributor, business shirts, ties, casual shirts and trousers now represent a sizeable proportion of sales.
Rembrandt is available in more than 250 retailers across the two countries including nine Rembrandt shops located within the department stores of New Zealand's Smith and Caughey and David Jones in Australia.