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Tag: westfield

  • Haigh’s Chocolates Enters Queensland with First Brisbane Store

    Haigh’s Chocolates Enters Queensland with First Brisbane Store

    Haigh’s Chocolates has launched its first physical store in Queensland at Westfield Mt Gravatt in Brisbane. The opening establishes a direct retail footprint in the state ahead of two further Brisbane outlets scheduled for November.

    The family-owned South Australian confectioner took space on Level 2 of the shopping centre next to cosmetics retailer Mecca. The store sells the brand’s core artisan chocolate lines alongside complimentary tasting counters.

    Queensland Footprint Expands

    Online sales in Queensland prompted the physical rollout. Customer order volumes across the state showed sufficient local demand to justify bricks-and-mortar leases, according to the company.

    “Since announcing that we were coming to Brisbane, we have had so many Haigh’s fans and online customers reaching out, asking where they can visit and when we will be open,” said Haigh’s Chocolates chief executive Peter Millard.

    Two more retail sites are in the pipeline. Outlets at Westfield Chermside in Brisbane’s north and Westfield Carindale in the east will open before the end of the year.

    Supply Chain Backing

    The Queensland rollout relies on supply chain capacity completed last year. Haigh’s opened a 120 million Australian dollar production and logistics facility in Salisbury South, South Australia, designed to support national distribution and higher store volumes.

    Converting digital customer density into shopping centre tenancies mirrors how regional specialty retailers derisk capital expenditure in Australia. By validating regional demand through online fulfilment first, brands reduce opening risk in major retail malls before committing to long-term leases.

    Fit-out work is continuing at both the Chermside and Carindale locations ahead of their planned November trade debut.

  • Scentre Group Lifts Full-Year Guidance to 23.79 Cents on High Mall Occupancy

    Scentre Group Lifts Full-Year Guidance to 23.79 Cents on High Mall Occupancy

    Scentre Group lifted its full-year earnings forecast after generating $612 million in first-half funds from operations across its Westfield shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand.

    The Sydney-headquartered landlord now projects full-year funds from operations to rise at least 4.25 per cent to 23.79 cents per security, with distributions tracking the same percentage increase. Operating earnings reached 11.73 cents per security during the six months to June 30, while distributions rose 4.9 per cent to $481 million.

    Sales and Footfall Gains

    Customer traffic across the portfolio rose 3.5 per cent to 347 million visits during the first half. Westfield membership expanded to 5.2 million users, supporting higher transaction volumes across managed retail space.

    Occupancy reached 99.8 per cent, gaining 10 basis points from the prior year and holding at its highest rate in more than a decade. Specialty retailer sales grew 5.1 per cent over the half, while total partner sales increased 3.7 per cent across the network.

    Property Valuations and Portfolio Value

    Statutory profit for the half finished at $975 million, supported by an unrealised property valuation increase of $478 million. Total portfolio assets stood at $33.7 billion at the close of June.

    The performance reflects solid rental retention across primary retail hubs, matching the previous year’s 4.9 per cent earnings growth when operating funds reached $1.18 billion. Chief Executive Elliott Rusanow confirmed the group will focus on expanding land-use yield and commercial partnerships across its existing properties through the remainder of the fiscal year.

  • First two Aldi stores open in WA Westfield

    First two Aldi stores open in WA Westfield

    Scentre Group has announced the opening of two Aldi stores at its Whitford City and Stirling shopping centres, representing the supermarket’s first foray into Westfield shopping centres in WA.

    The new Aldi stores are expected to open next year.

    Scentre’s Stirling shopping centre, currently Innaloo, will undergo an $830 million redevelopment, which will start in the later part of the year. It will be renamed Westfield Stirling and will double in size, adding about 368 retailers once completed.

    “Once open, we look forward to offering shoppers at Westfield Whitford City and Westfield Stirling a supermarket experience that is like no other in Australia,” said Caroline MacPhail, Aldi managing director, Western Australia.

    “Since opening our first stores in Western Australia in 2016, we have grown to operate 41 stores and have further plans for expansion, including the opening of our first Westfield Aldi stores in Western Australia,” MacPhail said.

    Scentre Group currently has 18 Aldi supermarkets in its Westfield living centre platform across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, with the expansion into Westfield Whitford City and Westfield Stirling in WA bringing the total number to 20.

    “We’re dedicated to curating a retail mix for each of our living centres that caters to the needs and wants of the local community,” said Chris Barton, Scentre Group regional manager, Western Australia.

    “The addition of Aldi supermarkets at Westfield Stirling and Whitford City will allow us to bring our customers more choice and even better access to affordable, quality groceries.”

    The Aldi store in Westfield Whitford City is expected to open in early 2020.

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  • Myer keeps Westfield Belconnen store Open

    Myer keeps Westfield Belconnen store Open

    Myer has announced it will keep its Westfield Belconnen, ACT store open, after stating in 2017 that it would close this year, due to a new lease agreement with Scentre Group.

    The agreement will see the stores’ scope narrowed, dropping from 3 floors to 2, over 12,000sqm of retail space and will be refurbished with the aim of creating a stronger retail experience and attracting a number of new and exclusive brands.

    “This is great news for our loyal customers, team members and, importantly, for the local team members,” Myer chief executive John King said in a statement.

    “This is an example of Myer’s customer-first plan in action, where we are looking to work collaboratively and constructively with landlords to reduce space, improve our stores and, most importantly, to enhance our range and brands for our customers.”

    The customer-first strategy, as put forward by King last year as a way to turn around the department store’s fortunes, involves three key priorities: transforming the in-store experience for customers, expanding the ‘Only at Myer’ range of brands, and improving the business’ online offering.

    The strategy proved to be profitable for the business during the first half of FY19, with Myer unveiling a 3.1 percent growth in net profit despite sales falling 2.8 percent, which King attributed to a move away from discounting and an increased focus on improving store profitability.

    The department store notes that the refurbishment of its Westfield Belconnen store is the first announcement through this new strategy regarding store direction, with more to come, and demonstrates the strong partnership it shares with Scentre Group.

    “Myer offers an important range of products and services that our customers want and expect and refurbishment of the Belconnen store will be welcomed by all,” Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen said.

    “Myer’s reduced floorspace will allow us to introduce other retail partners to Westfield Belconnen which will further enhance the overall customer experience at the center.”

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  • Scentre Selling Stakes in Westfield Burwood mall

    Scentre Selling Stakes in Westfield Burwood mall

    Retail landlord Scentre Group has sold a 50 per cent stake in its Westfield Burwood mall in Sydney to Perron Group for $575 million.

    The deal with the Perth-based company, founded by the late Perth billionaire Stan Perron, represents a 4.1 per cent premium to the centre’s $1.1 billion book value as of December 31, 2018.

    The proceeds from the off-market transaction, brokered by Colliers International’s Lachlan MacGillivray, will initially be used to repay debt, according to Scentre Group.

    Scentre Group CEO Peter Allen said the returns will also provide the group with further capital to pursue its strategic objectives of creating long-term value for security holders.

    The transaction is expected to be dilutive to FFO per security in 2019 by approximately 0.2 cents per security.

    “We are excited by the unique opportunity to invest in one of the highest quality shopping centres in Australia,” said Perron Group CEO Ross Robertson.

    “Westfield Burwood is one of the top 50 shopping centres in Australia with customer visitation of more than 14 million per annum and total retail sales of close to $500 million.”

    Perron Group also holds half stakes in other Scentre Group assets, including Westfield Woden in Canberra, Westfield Airport West in Melbourne and Westfield Geelong in Victoria.

    Scentre Group’s forecast distribution remained unchanged at 22.60 cents per security.

    The group will continue to manage Westfield Burwood.

    The Burwood deal comes as the owner of Westfield shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand won state government approval for its $500 redevelopment masterplan at Westfield Doncaster in Melbourne’s east, a key feature of which is the 14-storey tower rising above a two-level podium for retail outlets.

    The Westfield Doncaster redevelopment project will add 43000sqm of retail and 18,000sqm of commercial office space on the site.

  • Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea to open first small-format store in Sydney

    Ikea Australia’s first small-format store is set to open in Sydney’s Westfield Warringah Mall at the beginning of May.

    The Ikea Planning Studio will provide shoppers on the Northern Beaches with a place to plan and build their dream kitchens and bedrooms. Staff on-site will be equipped with tablets and provide one-on-one consultations to help customers select the right products from Ikea’s range of furniture, appliances, storage solutions and more.

    This stands in sharp contrast to the massive, showroom-cum-warehouse stores that Ikea traditionally has been famous for. But the shifting retail landscape has seen the Swedish furniture giant globally adapt its offer by launching e-commerce sites, providing more do-it-for-me services and, increasingly, experimenting with smaller stores in urban centres.

    “At Ikea, we know Australians are looking for new and more convenient ways to shop their favourite products. We’re excited to be bringing bespoke Ikea shopping experiences to Aussies around the country in locations that suit them,” Ikea Australia country manager Jan Gardberg said.

    “We’ve chosen Warringah Mall as our first location in order to reach even more Australians that live within urban areas, outside of the city centre.”

    The Planning Studio seemingly aims to provide a more immersive shopping experience, with a “luxe bedroom environment” that will transport shoppers to a “hub of femininity through floral scents and classic detailing” and a “soothing wellness sanctuary” that will feature a variety of kitchen solutions.

    In a separate initiative, the retailer currently is hosting a series of “sleepovers” at stores across the country, where select customers can experience how Ikea’s range of sleep solutions – that is, mattresses, bedding and other items – provide a better night’s sleep. This suggests Ikea is looking for ways to interact with customers on a more personalised and experiential level.

    “We want to inspire people to get creative and explore the possibilities of our range. The launch of our small format stores is just another way we’re helping Australians to create personalised and functional spaces within the home,” Gardberg said.

    The Planning Studio’s design was inspired by Scandinavian modern style and Ikea’s design values of sustainability, quality, form, function and affordability, the retailer said, and created with the eco-friendly shopper in mind.

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  • MUJOSH Debuts in the United States with Three Store Openings

    MUJOSH Debuts in the United States with Three Store Openings

    Hong Kong fashion eyewear brand Mujosh has arrived in the US market with successive grand openings of two stores in San Francisco and one in Los Angeles.

    Located at Stoneridge Mall and Westfield in San Francisco, and at Glendale Galleria in Los Angeles, the stores introduce the eight-year-old brand’s in-house designers from China, Hong Kong and Korea.

    Representing the brand for its US debut is the muse of Sweat the Style Adrianne Ho, who showcases the latest sunglasses collection, Retro.

    Mujosh already has more than 800 specialty stores in high-end shopping malls and department stores covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and Canada.

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  • Tommy Hilfiger opens new store at Westfield Parramatta

    Tommy Hilfiger opens new store at Westfield Parramatta

    PVH Corp-owned fashion chain, Tommy Hilfiger, has opened its 10th full price store in Australia at Westfield Parramatta yesterday.

    Set over 145 square meters, the store design reflects the brand’s global retail concept, which is based on the brand’s heritage and takes cues from a ‘nautical lifestyle’ – one of Tommy Hilfiger’s longstanding sources of inspiration.

    The store has launched with the brand’s Spring fashion collections across men’s, women’s sportswear and accessories.

    There are over 1,800 Tommy Hilfiger stores in over 100 countries worldwide including global flagships in five locations: Fifth Avenue, New York; Brompton Road, London; Omotesando, Tokyo; Regent Street, London; and Schadowstraße, Düsseldorf.

    In its second quarter results for FY17, the Tommy Hilfiger brand saw its revenue increase 4 per cent (year on year) to hit $892 million, while PVH was up 7 per cent to $2.1 billion.

    Recently, Gazal Corporation– which jointly owns and manages PVH Brands Australia, a joint venture company in partnership with PVH Corp – confirmed it has acquired a 7.35 per cent shareholding in struggling luxury handbag retailer, Oroton, at $1.00 per share.

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