Zara is set to open in Australia and is looking at the new Westfield in central Sydney for its first Australian store.
Rumours have swirled about a possible Australian launch since Melbourne businessman Peter Lew bought the regional license for the brand. Fashion savvy Australian travellers have become fans of the store's slick, affordable pieces on trips to Europe and have encouraged the store to launch here.
WWD reports that an Inditex spokesman said Zara’s Australian debut would start with a few doors in key large cities in the first year. Inditex Group is Europe’s largest clothing retailer and owner of the Zara chain.
Rather than fear the Zara launch, Australian chains should take the opportunity to push their design and production speed to provide stiff local competititon. It will no longer be sufficient to copy international designers once Zara's slick offering arrives.
Another popular high street chain,
H&M, said they would not open in Australia when asked directly by TheVine this week. Developing two collections at once to meet opposing seasons would undo their chief selling point which is bargain prices.
On September 2nd Zara will also launch online sales on Sept. 2 in France, Germany, the U.K., Spain, Italy and Portugal. It will also open in South Africa this year.