Billabong's two stores in New Zealand include one on Queen St. Picture / Kenny Rodger
Billabong's two stores in New Zealand include one on Queen St. Picture / Kenny Rodger
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The Amazon surf shop chain is being bought by Australian surfing wholesaler and retailer Billabong International.
Billabong yesterday confirmed it was buying the New Zealand business, with 19 stores in Auckland, Wellington Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.
The Australian group operates two stores in Auckland and Wellington and ajoint venture store at Auckland airport.
Billabong chief executive Derek O'Neill said the company would keep Amazon as a separate brand under its surfer founder Steve Alach. He declined to say how much Billabong had paid.
O'Neill said Amazon would continue to stock other brands but would gradually increase the number of Billabong products. The Billabong business was largely as a wholesaler to 100 countries but it has pushed into retail, with five stores in Australia.
Twelve months ago it formed a joint venture called Beach Culture with stores at airports.
O'Neill said the New Zealand surf retail industry was highly fragmented with most retailers owned by individuals.
