David Jones today announced its intention to enter the New Zealand market for the first time with the launch of David Jones in Wellington next year. This will be the first David Jones store to open outside Australia in the department store’s 177-year history.
David Jones Chief Executive Officer, Iain Nairn explained that David Jones will open its New Zealand flagship store in Lambton Quay, Wellington on the site of department store Kirkcaldie & Stains. Under an agreement subject to a number of conditions precedent, including Kirkcaldie & Stains shareholder approval, David Jones will take a lease assignment of the store and purchase the brand name when Kirkcaldie & Stains ceases to trade early next year. It also intends to offer employment to the majority of the current Kirkcaldie & Stains retail workforce.
“We were excited when Kirkcaldie & Stains approached us. David Jones is a recognised brand in New Zealand and we’re confident this beautiful building in this cosmopolitan city is the perfect home for our first New Zealand store. We are proud to reinvigorate the historic retail space and maintain it as the home of New Zealand’s premium department store, when we open David Jones Wellington next year.” Mr. Nairn commented.
Mr. Nairn said the launch of David Jones in Wellington aims to inspire New Zealand shoppers, offering them access to an extensive selection of quality brands.
“We’ll be bringing an edit of our range to the market to offer New Zealanders an expanded assortment of Australian, international and private label brands. We’re also looking forward to seeing more from New Zealand designers.” Mr. Nairn commented.
David Jones will take on the Kirkcaldie & Stains lease when they close in February 2016 and is set to open for trade in Wellington in mid-2016 following an internal upgrade of the department store.
Commenting on the redesign Nairn said, “We will preserve the heritage-listed frontage whilst completely renovating the interior. Our aim is to create a world class shopping environment with the quality finishings and latest retail technology that shoppers expect from a premium department store.”