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Strandbags

Strandbags
IndustryRetail
Founded1927
Headquarters
Belrose, New South Wales
,
Australia
Area served
Australia, New Zealand
ProductsHandbags, personal accessories
OwnerMichael Lewis
Websitestrandbags.com.au
strandbags.co.nz

Strand, or the Strandbags Group, is an Australian and New Zealand retailer of handbags, wallets, luggage, backpacks and other personal accessories.[1] The chain has over 234 stores around Australia.[2] It also has 26 stores in New Zealand.[3] It owns the private label brands Evity and Nere.[4]

History

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In September 2019, Strandbags opened a new larger concept flagship store at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, as part of a strategy to expand the size of major stores.[5]

During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, stores closed for at least six weeks.[6]

In August 2020, Scentre Group locked out some Strandbags stores over a rental dispute.[7] The decision affected stores at Westfield centres in Australia.[8] The dispute was resolved and the stores were allowed to reopen.[9] Strandbags' revenue for the 2021 fiscal year was hit hard by the pandemic, only reaching $195.1 million compared to $350.8 million the previous year.[10]

In July 2020, the British luggage brand Antler was acquired by ATR Holdings, an associated company of Strandbags.[11][12]

In May 2021, the New Zealand Commerce Commission laid charges against Strandbags under the Fair Trading Act 1986, accusing it of misleading consumers about discounts.[1] The Commission accused the company of marketing discounts against a regular price that had never been used.[3] Consumer NZ alleged similar tactics were also used by other retailers;[13] the Commission warned other retailers against doing so.[14]

In October 2021, Strandbags relaunched its website following a four-month redevelopment process.[15] It followed the appointment of new Chief of Technology and Head of Online the previous year.[16]

In May 2022, Strandbags launched Evity, a leather goods brand[17] and, in July 2022, the company launched its Nere luggage brand in Australia and New Zealand. A UK launch followed in May 2023.[18][19] The first stand-alone Nere retail store opened in Melbourne in November 2023.[20]

In November 2022, Strandbags rebranded as Strand.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Foxcroft, Debrin (27 May 2021). "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". Stuff. Stuff.
  2. ^ "Strandbags". strandbags.com.au. Strandbags Group.
  3. ^ a b "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". New Zealand Commerce Commission. New Zealand Government. 27 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Strandbags announces biggest change in 95-year history". Ragtrader. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  5. ^ Blake, Dean (9 September 2019). "Strandbags unveils new store concept at Chadstone". Inside Retail. Octomedia.
  6. ^ Jurd, Bradley (9 May 2020). "Bathurst Strandbags re-opens its doors after six-week closure". Western Advocate. Australian Community Media.
  7. ^ Khadem, Nassim (21 August 2020). "Westfield locks retailers out of stores as national retail sales rise 3.3 per cent". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  8. ^ Andaloro, Sarina (20 August 2020). "Why more than 100 Australian fashion stores have closed indefinitely". Seven News. Seven West Media.
  9. ^ "Vicinity slaps Myer with lawsuit over unpaid rent at Melbourne flagship store". The Australian. News Corp Australia. 10 November 2021.
  10. ^ LaFrenz, Carrie (2022-11-04). "Travel makes a comeback and so does Strandbags". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  11. ^ Beevers, Angela (2020-02-19). "Endless sells the Antler luggage brand". Retail Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  12. ^ Wightman-Stone, Danielle (2022-09-13). "Luggage maker Antler names new managing director". FashionUnited. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  13. ^ "Strandbags charged over discount claims". Consumer NZ. 28 May 2021.
  14. ^ Bhattarai, Rahul (17 November 2021). "Commerce Commission reminds retailers of fair sale practices as Black Friday and Christmas near". New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
  15. ^ Crozier, Ry. "Strandbags re-platforms e-commerce under 'Project Future'". IT News. Next Media.
  16. ^ Bennett, Tess. "Strandbags bolsters technology team with two new senior hires". IT News. Next Media.
  17. ^ Blake, Dean (2022-05-05). "Strandbags goes hell for leather with new style-focused brand Evity". Inside Retail New Zealand. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  18. ^ Dong, Irene (2023-05-11). "Strand launches Nere luggage brand in UK, online". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  19. ^ Halliday, Sandra (2023-06-08). "Strandbags launches 'fashion travel' brand Nere in UK, US". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  20. ^ McIlvaine, Heather (2023-11-28). "With new store, Nere seeks to elevate travel for the mass market". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
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