David Jones opened its first international store in Wellington, New Zealand, last week, marking a significant milestone in the department store’s 178-year history.
The new look David Jones features a bold, contemporary store design and features international brands not previously stocked in New Zealand as well as a number of local labels.
“We’re excited to offer our customers at David Jones Wellington a premium retail experience on par with the best department stores globally,” says CEO John Dixon.
“We’ve worked hard to inject a level of ambience, excitement and experience into our design, store content, product assortment and services that will provide our customers New Zealand with a world class shopping experience.”
The flagship store is located in the heritage listed building that previously housed Wellington department store Kirkcaldie & Stains and covers three floors. Following a $20+ million refurbishment, the new David Jones store features the same contemporary, internationally awarded design ethos that debuted at Eastland, Melbourne last year and has featured more recently at its new flagship store at Pacific Fair, Gold Coast.
Upgrades include the addition of escalators, air conditioning and premium fixtures and finishings throughout. Also central to this design is enhancement of the customer experience with inspiring spaces and dynamic visual merchandising.
Local brands are well represented including Wellington-born label Twenty-Seven Names, popular women’s fashion labels Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester and Saben, and menswear brand Rodd & Gunn as well as Sabatini and Trelise Cooper.