Sussan to turn a shade of Grae

Women's fashion chain Sussan closed its Rotorua store yesterday, but the shop won't stay empty for long.

The store in Tutanekai St was the fourth of the Australian company's New Zealand outlets to shut with the rest to follow over coming months.

However, the site is set to re-open next Friday as a Suzanne Grae - the company's low-budget sister chain.

Rotorua store manager Debra Powellsaid it was sad to say goodbye to Sussan, which had been in the city for about 20 years.

During the store's closing-down sale many regular customers had expressed how much they would miss Sussan, which was aimed at women 30 years and older and included a popular sleepwear range.

"They are disappointed," she said.

"But once they see the new brand (they should be OK)."

Ms Powell said the store would be rebranded next week ready to open as Suzanne Grae, which she said was targeted at "real women" of all shapes and sizes but did not sell sleepwear.

"We're looking forward to it. We're quite excited but we are going to miss Sussan," said Ms Powell, who together with all other staff had been retained.

The chain announced last year it would close six of its New Zealand stores and turn the remaining nine, including Rotorua's, into Suzanne Grae outlets.

The move will increase the number of Suzanne Grae stores in New Zealand from 11 to 20.