Article updated to clarify that this is the first Ezibuy store to open in the Bay of Plenty, after the closure of a previous store in 2010.
Clothing and homewares chain Ezibuy has announced it will open a flagship store at Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.
The 800 metre squared store will employ 15 full time staff and stock both their women’s and homewares collections.
It will be the retailer’s 6th store in New Zealand.
“We have chosen to expand into Tauranga based on its location, our active customer base in the area and the opportunity to be part of a state-of-the-art retail centre in Tauranga,” said Ezibuy CEO Bert van der Velde.
Van der Velde said the appeal of Tauranga Crossing for EziBuy is the ample parking, the future state-of-the-art retailer centre and other amenities in the centre that complement their target consumer.
Tauranga Crossing CEO Steve Lewis said that the Tauranga centre was on the look out for retailers with strong multi-channel credentials.
“Online retailing and bricks and mortar stores are complementary channels for retailers to display their product to customers. We are targeting a number of omni-channel/multi-channel retailers, who have both a strong presence online and in their bricks and mortar stores. It comes as no surprise that technology is much more important in retail these days, and the evolving digital world continues to provide new opportunities for retailers who are able to adapt quickly, for example the potential for “click and collect” services in our centre,” he said.
While stage one of the centre opened in 2016 its second stage of development will open next year, featuring more than 90 stores and restaurants, as well as an Event Cinema complex.
“One of the last things our customers want to do is run through the rain to go shopping, so enclosed mall means there will be plenty of things to do in the wet weather, including a two level fashion galleria and a mix of international, national and local retailers, including some retailers who will be new to Tauranga.” Lewis said.
