Cosmetics retailer expands to Auckland

International makeup chain Mecca Maxima will open in Auckland’s Queen St in three weeks’ time, lifting the brand’s total number of New Zealand stores to three.

Mecca Maxima opened its first New Zealand store in Christchurch’s ANZ Centre in November last year, followed by a Wellington store in April.

Both stores opened to crowds of young shoppers.

Australian company Mecca Brands’ August 3 launch will feature an ‘‘envelope wall’’ that gives shoppers who spend $90 or more a surprise gift.

The Auckland store is the sixth New Zealand Mecca store, including Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima.

The company plans to expand the chain over the next few years.

Mecca founder Jo Horgan said in a statement: ‘‘I am very much looking forward to opening more of our stores in this beautiful part of the world.’’

Other international cosmetic retailers have also opened stores in New Zealand recently, including MAC and Benefit Cosmetics.

Kiwis spent $105 million on cosmetics last year, which was up 17.7 per cent on 2015, and almost double the annual spend of five years ago.

Figures from Marketview showed online and physical store sales had both grown over the past two years and had exceeded total retail growth.