Sportsgirl is an Australian clothing chain owned and operated by Sussan.[1]

Sportsgirl
Company typePrivately owned
IndustryFashion
FoundedMelbourne, Australia
FounderBardas family
Area served
Australia
ProductsClothing, cosmetics
ParentSussan
Websitewww.sportsgirl.com.au

History edit

The first Sportsgirl store opened in 1948 as an alternative to its sister label, Sportscraft, on Swanston Street, Melbourne. The store was owned and operated by the Bardas family, who at the time had no retail outlet, and had been distributing their Sportscraft clothing label via department stores.[2]

The Bardas family later moved their store to Collins Street, which eventually became their flagship store.

By 1991, Sportsgirl had opened the Sportsgirl Centre on Collins Street ($180 million[clarification needed]).[3] In 1994, in Melbourne, a change in the economic climate forced the company to sell the Sportsgirl Centre.

 
A Sportsgirl outlet in the Eastland Shopping Centre, Melbourne

In 2000, under new management by Sussan, Sportsgirl launched a new look for its stores, with the first unveiled at the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.[4]

In 2009, Sportsgirl launched the label 'Romance Was Born' in stores featuring music from the Melbourne indie/electro band Neon Knights.[5]

In 2012, Sportsgirl displayed the "window shop". In this concept, products are displayed on the shopfront's windows, and customers can scan the product's QR code to make an immediate purchase.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Heffernan, Madeleine (2015-02-05). "Sussan Group CEO Naomi Milgrom says no more bricks and mortar". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  2. ^ Money, Lawrence (2012-02-26). "From the rag trade to other riches". The Age. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  3. ^ "SPORTSGIRL IS STEPPING OUT AND HEADS ARE TURNING". Australian Financial Review. 1992-01-31. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  4. ^ "MR SUSSAN KEEPS ON ADDING THIS TO THAT". Australian Financial Review. 1994-04-18. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  5. ^ "Romance Was Born". Vogue Australia. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  6. ^ "Sportsgirl unveils 'window shop'". Fashion Source. Melbourne. 17 February 2012.

External links edit