As we wave goodbye in 2016 to Dick Smith, Pumpkin Patch, Payless shoes, Masters and possibly Howard’s Storage World, let’s take a moment and discuss the new retailers coming to Australia this year. Australian retail continues to be a hot bed of activity with more twists and turns than an American presidential race. If we thought 2016 saw some changes and new faces at the table, then what will 2017 look like for new retailers, those strongly rumoured, and regrettably, who we might lo
lose in 2017? Oh, then there are those who might be in the gun barrels of our new retailers.
If 2015-16 was the first wave of fast fashion to our country, this next wave may well be the domain of the sporting and outdoor retail.
Confirmed to be joining us:
Debenhams will open its first Australian store in Melbourne’s St Collins Lane centre this year (while the stock will be from Debenhams and the branding all British, Harris Scarfe will own and man the store).JD Sports, which bought the Glue youth fashion stores in September, will face off with Rebel Sports.Myer will accelerate the roll-out of its partnership with British retailers John Lewis and TopShop, while Spain’s Zara, Japanese chain Uniqlo, Sweden’s H&M, German grocer Aldi and US group Costco are seeking more space here.
And don’t we love a bit of style and bling?
A new wave of overseas luxury retail brands plan to open stores in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in 2017, out-muscling local retailers for the best locations, and putting upward pressure on already high rents.European-based luxury conglomerates Richemont, Kering and LVMH, are all looking to grow their bricks-and-mortar retail presence on the east coast, according to leasing agents CBRE.Paris-based Kering wants stores in Sydney and Brisbane for Italian ready-to-wear fashion house Bottega Veneta and is scouting out locations for UK fashion queen Stella McCartney.Leasing agents say there is also a very strong level of inquiry from LVMH, whose brands include Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Christian Dior and Thomas Pink, for suitable east coast locations.
Who are the big brands strongly rumoured to be coming to Australia in 2017 and which retailers could be looking over their shoulders?
Lidl, Germany
Area: Supermarkets
Looking over their shoulders? Aldi, Coles, Woolworths
Decathlon, France
Area: Sporting goods
Looking over their shoulders? Rebel Sport
John Lewis, UK
Area: Homewares, manchester
Looking over their shoulders? Department stores, Sheridan, Adairs, Target
Amazon, US
Area: Food, general merchandise
Looking over their shoulders? Any retail channel in these sectors with an undifferentiated offer, uninvested and medicore customer experience.
Debenhams, UK
Area: Fashion
Looking over their shoulders? Department stores, mid to upmarket fashion channels.
And leaving the table in 2017?
Of course, we would never name names, however stay tuned on this one, as some long-established Australian fashion brands continue to feel the pinch.
After all, the party can only hold so many guests and the tune being played in Australian retailing might not be to everyone’s taste.
Brian Walker is founder and CEO of Retail Doctor Group and can be contacted on 02 9460 2882 or brian@retaildoctor.com.au.
