DFS Group is preparing to open a new T Galleria store in Queenstown, New Zealand, by mid-2022. The store will be located in one of Queenstown’s most popular retail and dining complexes, O’Connells, which will be renovated by owners Skyline Enterprises.

The second-most visited location in New Zealand, Queenstown welcomes around 1.2 million visitors in 2019. DFS says that its excellent dining, hospitality and entertainment options are particularly appealing to international travellers.

Spanning 1,800sq m across two floors, T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown will feature an assortment of leading luxury brands across the fashion and accessories, beauty, watches, jewellery and wines and spirits categories. A selection of New Zealand’s locally made products will also be available. 

T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown will also be the first store in DFS’ new “Resort Galleria” concept which is being introduced to its global store portfolio.

The Resort Gallerias will showcase curated assortments of the best international and local brands, emphasising an authentic sense of place and community, according to the retailer.

OPEN AND AIRY DESIGN

In Queenstown, the store will feature an open and airy design with an informal yet elegant feel, created from natural and sustainable locally sourced materials.

Benjamin Vuchot, CEO, DFS Group said: “We are very excited to introduce, for the first time in Queenstown, a carefully curated selection of the best luxury retail and finest local products, further enhancing the reputation and appeal of this beautiful resort among discerning global travellers.

“We are delighted to welcome T Galleria and its new resort store concept to O’Connells. It fits perfectly with our vision for the new O’Connells as a blend of quality shopping with an artisan, locally focused food and beverage offering.”

Skyline Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Geoff McDonald added: “O’Connells has long been a meeting and social space for locals and visitors. Having the T Galleria store as part of the redeveloped O’Connells not only continues this tradition but is a strong endorsement of the revitalisation of downtown Queenstown.”

Queenstown experienced a 10% growth in international visitors from 2017 to 2019, prior to border restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

DFS and Skyline Enterprises are confident that Queenstown will experience a strong return to international travellers when borders reopen.

T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown will be the operator’s third location in New Zealand. The retailer has operated T Galleria by DFS, Auckland in the Custom House heritage building since 1997 and runs several boutiques in Auckland Airport.

This latest opening in New Zealand is the third announced by DFS in 2021. In January, the company opened its first downtown store in Hainan, China with its partner Shenzhen Duty Free.

Last month, it announced that a new T Galleria would be developed in Brisbane, Australia by the end of 2022.

In addition, it is on track to open Samaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf by DFS, its largest and most significant store to date, in Paris later this year.