Strand, or the Strandbags Group, is an Australian and New Zealand retailer of handbags, wallets, luggage, backpacks and other personal accessories.[1] The chain has over 234 stores around Australia.[2] It also has 26 stores in New Zealand.[3] It owns the private label brands Evity and Nere.[4]
 Strandbags store in Westfield Carousel | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1927 |
| Headquarters | , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand |
| Products | Handbags, personal accessories |
| Owner | Michael Lewis |
| Website | strandbags strandbags |
History
editThis section appears to be slanted towards recent events. (October 2024) |
In September 2019, Strandbags opened a new larger concept flagship store at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, as part of a strategy to expand the size of major stores.[5]
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, stores closed for at least six weeks.[6]
In August 2020, Scentre Group locked out some Strandbags stores over a rental dispute.[7] The decision affected stores at Westfield centres in Australia.[8] The dispute was resolved and the stores were allowed to reopen.[9] Strandbags' revenue for the 2021 fiscal year was hit hard by the pandemic, only reaching $195.1 million compared to $350.8 million the previous year.[10]
In July 2020, the British luggage brand Antler was acquired by ATR Holdings, an associated company of Strandbags.[11][12]
In May 2021, the New Zealand Commerce Commission laid charges against Strandbags under the Fair Trading Act 1986, accusing it of misleading consumers about discounts.[1] The Commission accused the company of marketing discounts against a regular price that had never been used.[3] Consumer NZ alleged similar tactics were also used by other retailers;[13] the Commission warned other retailers against doing so.[14]
In October 2021, Strandbags relaunched its website following a four-month redevelopment process.[15] It followed the appointment of new Chief of Technology and Head of Online the previous year.[16]
In May 2022, Strandbags launched Evity, a leather goods brand[17] and, in July 2022, the company launched its Nere luggage brand in Australia and New Zealand. A UK launch followed in May 2023.[18][19] The first stand-alone Nere retail store opened in Melbourne in November 2023.[20]
In November 2022, Strandbags rebranded as Strand.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Foxcroft, Debrin (27 May 2021). "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". Stuff. Stuff.
- ^ "Strandbags". strandbags.com.au. Strandbags Group.
- ^ a b "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". New Zealand Commerce Commission. New Zealand Government. 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Strandbags announces biggest change in 95-year history". Ragtrader. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ Blake, Dean (9 September 2019). "Strandbags unveils new store concept at Chadstone". Inside Retail. Octomedia.
- ^ Jurd, Bradley (9 May 2020). "Bathurst Strandbags re-opens its doors after six-week closure". Western Advocate. Australian Community Media.
- ^ Khadem, Nassim (21 August 2020). "Westfield locks retailers out of stores as national retail sales rise 3.3 per cent". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Andaloro, Sarina (20 August 2020). "Why more than 100 Australian fashion stores have closed indefinitely". Seven News. Seven West Media.
- ^ "Vicinity slaps Myer with lawsuit over unpaid rent at Melbourne flagship store". The Australian. News Corp Australia. 10 November 2021.
- ^ LaFrenz, Carrie (2022-11-04). "Travel makes a comeback and so does Strandbags". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ Beevers, Angela (2020-02-19). "Endless sells the Antler luggage brand". Retail Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ Wightman-Stone, Danielle (2022-09-13). "Luggage maker Antler names new managing director". FashionUnited. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ "Strandbags charged over discount claims". Consumer NZ. 28 May 2021.
- ^ Bhattarai, Rahul (17 November 2021). "Commerce Commission reminds retailers of fair sale practices as Black Friday and Christmas near". New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
- ^ Crozier, Ry. "Strandbags re-platforms e-commerce under 'Project Future'". IT News. Next Media.
- ^ Bennett, Tess. "Strandbags bolsters technology team with two new senior hires". IT News. Next Media.
- ^ Blake, Dean (2022-05-05). "Strandbags goes hell for leather with new style-focused brand Evity". Inside Retail New Zealand. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ Dong, Irene (2023-05-11). "Strand launches Nere luggage brand in UK, online". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ Halliday, Sandra (2023-06-08). "Strandbags launches 'fashion travel' brand Nere in UK, US". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ^ McIlvaine, Heather (2023-11-28). "With new store, Nere seeks to elevate travel for the mass market". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.