First came H&M, now Zara opening looms

Sylvia Park is preparing for the opening of Zara. Photo /Michael Craig

A week after thousands of people turned up for the launch of H&M, Sylvia Park is preparing for another influx of fashion fans when Zara opens its doors.

The world's largest retailer will be opening its first New Zealand store to the public on Thursday at 9.30am.

The one-storey Sylvia Park shop will offer all of Zara's clothing collections including women's, men's and children's clothing, with stock updated twice a week.

Excitement has been building since the two brands announced last year that they would be launching in New Zealand.

The excitement around H&M's opening began with people queuing from 5pm on Friday night before the Saturday opening. More than 500 people were outside the store an hour before the doors opened, with DJ's and dancers keeping the crowds entertained.

Zara has kept its opening plans quiet, preferring to hold a low-key fashion media event on Thursday morning, before opening to the wider public.

In contrast, H&M hosted a pre-launch VIP night party before opening on Saturday to fanfare. Sylvia Park will be open until 9.00pm on Thursday for the launch of Zara.

At the time of the announcement Chris Gudgeon, chief executive of Kiwi Property Group which runs Sylvia Park, said securing Zara and H&M had been a coup for the business.

"The introduction of these two global retailers to the centre is an important first step in our expansion plans and sends a clear signal as to our intentions," Gudgeon said.

"Zara is known the world over as a leading fashion giant, with more than 2,000 stores in 88 countries. To have secured their first New Zealand store at Sylvia Park is great news for our customers," he said.

"We are firm believers in investing in Auckland's growth, and bringing Zara to Sylvia Park is part of our plan to create a truly world-class retail offer in an increasingly world-class city."

Kiwi Property has invested $19.2 million in the construction of H&M and Zara, and it is expected the two will open more stores across New Zealand, similar to other markets.

Zara launched in Australia in 2011 and now has 17 stores. The brand is renowned for its reproductions of designer clothes, opened its first store in Spain in 1975 and is worth US$10.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Its owner Amancio Ortega is the second wealthiest man in the world, after Bill Gates.