SHOP TILL YOU DROP
H& M OPEN FOR BUSINESS
SWEDISH fashion giant H& M will open its largest single- level outlet in Queensland at Stockland Townsville today.
H& M Australian Country manager Hans Andersson yesterday was feeling relaxed and excited ahead of the opening.
“We have had a fantastic response. We are very, very excited about it,” he said. “We have a line- up of thousands who say they will come to the store on opening day.”
The Stockland outlet will be H& M’s 23rd in Australia and one of its most anticipated, with the Bulletin breaking the news last year despite the retailer staying mum until mid this year.
Mr Andersson said the city and its catchment of more than 250,000 people was a natural fit for H& M as it moved north.
SWEDISH fashion giant H& M will open its largest single- level store in Queensland at Stockland Townsville today, confident its strategy of quality fashion at the best price will be a winner.
H& M Australian Country manager Hans Andersson yesterday was feeling relaxed and excited ahead of the opening.
“We have had a fantastic response. We are very, very excited about it,” Mr Andersson said.
“We have a line- up of thousands who say they will come to the store on opening day.”
The store will be its 23rd in Australia and one of its most anticipated with the Townsville Bulletin breaking the news last year, despite the retailer staying mum until mid this year.
Mr Andersson said the city and its catchment of more than 250,000 people was a natural fit for H& M as it moved north.
“Townsville is a very interesting city for us,” Mr Andersson said.
“It’s a big city for tourists which of course is driving ( the market) in Australia.
“It also has a young population, young families with children. For us it was a natural step.”
While Brisbane’s multilevel Queens St outlet is bigger, Mr Andersson said Townsville, at 2500sq m, would be the largest singlelevel store in Queensland.
The availability of the space and Stockland’s retail offer were big attractions.
“We wanted to be where there was already retail,” he said. “I think the best offer for that is Stockland,” Mr Andersson said.
Customers will see the full H& M experience with fashion apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories and homewares.
Mr Andersson expected its Home store to be popular with university students wanting to decorate their apartments and dorms.
About 60 staff would be on the shop floor with almost half of those coming from other H& M stores to support the opening.
Several hundred people had applied for 30 new positions.
Staffing would continue to be assessed based on requirements and demand.
The retailer may also get more than it bargained for with its offer to provide a 15 per cent discount voucher for people who bring in used garments for recycling.
Mundingburra MP and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke and Stockland Group executive and CEO commercial property John Schroder will join Mr Andersson to mark the store’s opening today.
Stockland Townsville recently welcomed new retailers including Endota Spa, House and Build a Bear, with Rip Curl opening in mid- December and Emma and Roe Jewellery confirmed to open before Easter 2018.