Otago Daily Times

Luxury Italian brand’s NZ launch on Friday

- AIMEE SHAW

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

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