Fashion hit hard after Christchurch earthquake

Christchurch's fashion industry has taken a hit after last month's earthquake, as stock which should have been sold a month ago still sits on unused shelves.

The Christchurch city has 415 clothing stores, representing 13.3 per cent of physical retail in the city, but most retailers still did not have access to their stores, Fashion Industry New Zealand executive officer Mapihi Opai said.

"A lot of them still have money tied up in stock that would have otherwise been cleared a month ago.

"But clothing is a very seasonal product and retailers who can't take hold of deliveries for winter will have very little to trade on over the next six months," she said.

- NZPA