Here Comes The Giants

Often we hear Australians complain about the lack of European retail superpowers and how "I got this, this and this from Topshop while I was in UK" or "I just bought the most amazing top from Zara in Hong Kong". That was pre 2011, when high-street fashion chains like Topshop and Zara have not set their foot in the southern hemisphere. I was one of those people, who considers my itinerary incomplete if I don't visit these stores when I travel overseas.

But it all changed in June 2011 when Spanish label Zara opened its door in Melbourne. The GFC obviously did not stop fans from camping in front the store the night before its opening. For almost a month, there was always a queue, nothing short of the line to a rock star concert. I was not one of them but I have had since made several visits to the store and have quietly concluded that the products are nothing short of hand-me-downs from Europe and Asia the season before.

Then all of a sudden yesterday, I felt like a little girl going bonkus in a candy store because yes yes, I do love this brand. The second chapter set to shake up the Australian retail scene appears to be Topshop. Opening its door a massive crowd on Chapel Street this morning, it was reported that girls were camping since 6pm the day before to be the first shoppers of this super popular UK retailer. No doubt, Sir Philip Green of the Arcadia Group would be very pleased. So is Hilton Seskin, the local business hero who brought Topshop here.

Of course the saga does not end there. With talks of H&M hitting our shores, we will see competition heating up. So where does this leave the Australian-based fashion chains like Sportsgirls, Just Jeans and Forever New? Cutting staffs, more offshore productions and tightening supply margins?

As a consumer, I am pleased to now be able to shop at these places without going overseas. But as a fashion worker, I am sad because it feels like there will be no jobs left here as local businesses are off-shoring production in order to survive. So really where does this leave us fashion workers because next to arrive is ....