‘Golden mile’ shop to get a makeover
Global beauty brand Mecca is set to open its biggest New Zealand store in the former Topshop on Wellington’s ‘‘golden mile’’.
The Australian cosmetic retailer, which opened a Mecca Maxima store on Willis St in April last year, has leased the bottom level of the Lambton Quay site, formerly home to Topshop and Topman.
The beauty brand already operates Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima stores in New Zealand, but the concept store, called Mecca, will encapsulate both.
Mecca plans to open the new shop later this year. It will be similar to its first Mecca concept store at Westfield Bondi Junction, in Sydney, which opened in October last year.
With planning for the Mecca store still in the early stages, exact details of the design, brand line-up and other features are yet to be confirmed.
However, a spokeswoman said it would provide make-up buyers with a large range of Mecca’s beauty brands under one roof.
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said it was a welcome addition to Wellington’s ‘‘prime retail pitch’’.
‘‘[Mecca’s] Willis St store is already a firm favourite with consumers across all age groups. However, it has really found favour with younger demographics.
‘‘As a city, it is these customers we especially want to see enjoying the CBD’s retail offer, as recent spending studies have shown a need to re-engage and inspire these age groups in the face of other shopping channels.’’
The Willis St store will remain, meaning there will be two Mecca stores within 350 metres of each other.
A Mecca spokeswoman was unable to say whether the opening of the Mecca concept store was an attempt to block rival beauty brand Sephora.
‘‘We aren’t aware of an official announcement of a Sephora store opening in New Zealand in the near future, so Mecca isn’t able to address this.’’
Earlier this month, a Sephora New Zealand spokeswoman said the company hoped to launch here soon. It is understood that representatives of the French cosmetic mega-chain have been looking for sites in Auckland, but are yet to sign on the dotted line.
‘‘We’re still working on bringing our products closer to more customers. We are working on expanding across the globe and as soon as we manage to get the necessary permits from your country, we will announce it [on] our website,’’ Sephora’s spokeswoman said.