New threads available in Christchurch as H&M store opens on Cashel St

Saturday, 9 September 2017

Eight hundreds early-bird shoppers were rewarded with 'high fashion at better prices' when the doors to Christchurch's newest large-scale fashion store opened in September 2017.

The latest fashion will soon be spotted on the streets of the Garden City after the opening of a large new retail space.

Almost 1000 people queued outside H&M's new Christchurch store ahead of its opening at 10am on Saturday, as shopping continues to return to the central city.

It is the first H&M store in the South Island and the only one in the country to host the brand's homeware products.

A new H&M store has opened in Christchurch to much jubilation and excitement, particularly to the 1000 or so who queued to get the first glimpse.

Loud music and jubilation filled Cashel St for hours before the doors were officially opened. A choreographed dance by 80 staff kicked off the celebrations before a red ribbon was cut.

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H&M country manager Hans Andersson said he was 'happy and proud' that the store was part of the rejuvenation of central Christchurch.

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A range of stores had opened recently on Cashel St, including H&M, Trenery, Country Road and Seed.

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H&M Australia and New Zealand country manager Hans Andersson said it was a 'fantastic feeling' to be part of the city rebuild.

Casey Lynn (left) and Mickayla Lynn, both 17, arrived at 5.30pm on Friday to be first in the queue. They waited more than 16 hours for the privilege.

'Shopping belongs in the city centre and we are very happy and proud to be here today,' Andersson said.

'I'm an old retail guy and I think, yes, online is here and it is here to stay, but I think that in the city centres there must be room for trade and shopping. You can't only have restaurants, bars, cafes and offices.'

Mickayla Lynn and Casey Hunter, both 17, were first through the door after a 'cold and boring' 16-hour wait in the cold.

'[It was] absolutely freezing, I actually considered going home at about 5am,' Lynn said.

Both agreed they were glad they stayed.

'It's like high fashion but at better prices, [and] it brings more people into town, and town needs to get busier,' Hunter said.

The two-floor shop hosts H&M-branded clothing for women, men and children as well as homeware – a new venture for the company.

'Homeware is our newest part in H&M, it's six years young. It started online in Sweden, our first country, and since then it has developed [into our stores],' Andersson said.

He said the building 'fits fantastically with fashion retail'.

'We do fashion quality at a great price, and to be able to do that in such a nice building with a futuristic exterior, it's really fantastic.'

A range of nearby stores had opened recently, slowly filling gaps down the once-bustling Cashel St retail precinct.

Neighbouring shops included Spring Update, Ruby, Trenery, Country Road and Seed.