Spanish retail giant Zara has confirmed the opening date for its next Australian store as foreign competition heats up.
The fashion chain, which launched its first local outlet in 2011, has confirmed February 13, 2014 as the opening date for its newest store at Westfield Chatswood.
The launch will mark Zara's ninth store in Australia, its third in Sydney and its fourth outlet within a Westfield mall.
Zara currently has outlets at Westfield Doncaster, Westfield Sydney and Westfield Bondi Junction, in addition to stores at GPT’s Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, on Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne’s CBD and in the Burnside Village in Adelaide, Chadstone Shopping Centre and the Canberra Centre.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of a recent reveal by fellow European fast-fashion chain H&M, which is also set to land on Australian soil in 2014.
The first H&M Australia store at the Melbourne GPO will be a full concept flagship store showcasing apparel, underwear and accessories for men, women, kids and baby as well as the Home concept.
As previously reported on ragtrader.com.au, H&M also recently confirmed it will release a specially designed Australian launch collection to mark its debut this year.
The 'Australia Exclusive' range, will be available exclusively at the much-anticipated first H&M store at the iconic Melbourne’s GPO in 2014 and will complete its standing as a full concept store.
ZARA – Australian Expansion Timeline
2011
Westfield Sydney, Sydney
Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne
2012
Burnside Village, Glenside
Westfield Bondi Junction, Bondi Junction
Westfield Doncaster, Doncaster
Chadstone Shopping Centre, Chadstone
2013
Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong
Canberra Centre, Canberra
2014
Westfield Chatswood, Chatswood