Luxury Italian brand’s NZ launch on Friday

AUCKLAND: Highend jewellery retailer Bulgari is days away from making its New Zealand retail debut.

The Italian fashion house will on Friday open the doors to its 260sq m boutique on Auckland’s Queen St.

Bulgari managing director JeanChristophe Babin said New Zealand had been on the brand’s radar for many years, and the jewellery, watch and accessories retailer began exploring opportunities to launch in the market a few years ago.

Mr Babin said Bulgari would continue to look for ‘‘the right opportunities’’ to expand locally. He remained tightlipped on where else it might look to open boutiques.

New Zealand was an attractive market for expansion as it has a ‘‘fast emerging luxury market’’ and traditionally a strong tourist market, he said.

‘‘New Zealand is increasingly a precious treasure chest for the world of luxury as one of the countries with the best results for the main international retailers and an important positive perspective. The possibility to involve the local and foreign customers more closely make us extremely honoured,’’ Romebased Mr Babin said.

Bulgari’s Queen St boutique will be modelled on the same ‘‘contemporary Roman’’ aesthetics and architecture featured in its stores across the world, and will employ 11 staff.

It will sell the same product assortment and collections of jewellery, watches, fragrance and apparel found in all of its locations.

Mr Babin said he was confident the brand would be wellreceived in the market. — The New Zealand Herald