Revealed: Where Zara Will Open In NZ

New Zealand's fashion and retail industry is set for a major shake-up next year with international clothing retailer Zara coming to New Zealand.

There has been speculation for years that the Spanish clothing and accessories giant would be moving to New Zealand, and Zara has confirmed this morning that it will be opening a store in Sylvia Park later next year, alongside H&M - the world's second largest clothing retailer behind Zara. Chris Gudgeon, chief executive of Kiwi Property which owns Sylvia Park, said he was thrilled to have secured the first Zara store in the country.

"The excitement is building for our Sylvia Park shoppers," Gudgeon said. "Zara is known the world over as a leading fashion giant, with more than 2,000 stores in 88 countries. To have secured their first New Zealand store at Sylvia Park is great news for our customers."

Kiwi Property is planning to invest $11.5 million to accommodate Zara in a new ground level store located in the mid-mall area of the shopping centre.

Documents filed by the Companies Office showed Zara Retail was registered with the NZ Companies office on October 19 this year, sparking excitement and speculation as to where the retailer might be launching first. Last week Scott Pritchard, Precinct Properties chief executive, hinted heavily at Zara opening in its newest development on Auckland's waterfront.

Pritchard said a flagship international clothing retailer not already in New Zealand would likely be going in the building, naming Zara, Uniqlo, H&M - already coming to Sylvia Park - or TopShop, already in the CBD but further up Queen St, as possibilities. Earlier this year, Kiwi Property, which owns six shopping malls across New Zealand, announced a potential 20,000 sqm, $150 million expansion of Sylvia Park with options including the addition of further international retailers, more specialty retail stores, department stores and additional customer parking under consideration.

The retail expansion project is currently in the pre-development phase (which includes design, consenting and pre-leasing), with construction potentially commencing in 2017 for a possible 2018 completion.

According to Gudgeon, Sylvia Park is one of the largest retail destinations in New Zealand with 12 million shoppers coming through its shopping centre every year.

-NZ Herald