Victoria’s Secret, Cinnabon, Oakberry, Tory Burch, Volcom: 22 new stores open as US giants invade Pacific Fair

US retail giants have invaded Queensland’s biggest shopping centre – flogging products ranging from bras and undies; to luxury clothes, handbags, shoes and even baked goods. FULL LIST

US retail giants have invaded Queensland’s biggest shopping centre – flogging products ranging from bras and undies; to luxury clothes, handbags, shoes and even baked goods.

Known as one Australia’s most boujee retail precincts, Pacific Fair in Broadbeach has added 22 new stores in the past year, bringing its total offering to more than 400 retailers.

US brands Victoria’s Secret, Cinnabon, Tory Burch, Volcom and acai favourite Oakberry make up a quarter of the new stores that have opened their doors.

Pacific Fair has welcomed scores of new shops

Aussie brands also got a look in with Fast Times, Elite Eleven, Subtype, Perfect Stranger, Shiels, Viktoria & Woods, Joe’s Deli, Footgear, Sole Street and Pera Premium also now open in the mega centre.

That’s not to forget luxury European fashion houses Saint Laurent, Versace and Dior Beauty which now call Pacific Fair home.

Stores due to open soon include Korean fried chicken chain Nene Chicken and Malaysian food favourite PappaRich.

Italian restaurant Modo Mio just opened its doors in the centre and will soon be joined by Elite Supplements and Prosegur Foreign Exchange.

A centre spokeswoman said the new offerings were part of its aim to offer the best retail experience in Australia.

“The centre’s top priority is always to have exciting and frequent store openings, flagship concepts, and first to market retail experiences,” she said.

Victoria’s Secret has opened a new store at Pacific Fair.

“We have an exciting events plan for the second half of 2023 which includes fashion, exclusive partnerships, and an ongoing expansion of Christmas with new decorations and events.

“Pacific Fair is like no other in Australia, as its design and resort feel allows the centre to continue to be popular, even among the growth of online shopping.”

The outdoor area of Pacific Fair at Broadbeach. Picture: supplied

And despite the cost of living crunch, recent research from comparison website Finder revealed spending of fashion has continued to boom amid a squeeze on spare cash.

Aussie shoppers splashed $2.5b on fashion in the lead-up to Christmas, according to a survey of 1054 respondents.

The data found the average Aussie spent $126 on clothes, shoes and accessories during October alone.

Women spent more than twice as much as men – they forked out $171 on average, compared to $78 for men.

Gold Coast shoppers Lauren Madsen (left) and Bernadette Chapman (right). Picture: Nigel Hallett

Finder shopping expert Chris Jager said demand for fashion had continued to defy expectations amid the current climate.

“Mortgages, groceries and petrol are all costing more but Aussies still want to dress to impress,” he said.

But while Aussies have remained fashion-forward in recent months, households ditched luxury goods as they grappled with a double-blow of high inflation and soaring interest rates.

Pacific Fair is one of the biggest shopping centres in Australia. Picture: supplied

The National Retailers Association’s quarterly economic outlook report last month revealed close to zero growth in discretionary spending in Queensland.

Discretionary spending rose just 2.2 per cent nationally in March.

NRA CEO Greg Griffith said this was further proof of the difficult financial situation Australian households were facing.

“There’s no doubt the cost of living continues to hurt Australian households and retail businesses with this quarter reflecting a distinct change in how households are spending,” he said.