Dress-Smart ready to unveil progress

The $23 million expansion of Dress-Smart shopping outlets in Auckland and Christchurch is almost finished.

Internal fit-outs are about to start at the Onehunga project as part of its $18 million boost, which has increased the size of the complex by 40 per cent.

Retailers will open 40 new stores this year and just after Christmas, bringing a 110-shop centre to the area.

In Christchurch, a $5 million expansion at Hornby has resulted in a 1700sq m extension which is now in its final stages. Fifteen new shops are due to open.

Anthony Bertoldi, chief executive of ING NZ Retail Fund which owns the Dress-Smart chain, said tenant demand had prompted it to add the extra floor space.

Mark Schiele of Prime Retail Management, which manages the portfolio, said the addition of more shops in Christchurch and Auckland would expand the choice of brands available to shoppers.

The Dress-Smart facts and figures:

* ING owns Dress-Smarts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

* Its A$1.2 billion retail fund has 18 centres here and in Australia.

* Prime Retail Management runs the three Dress-Smart centres here.

* Gloria Jean's cafe and Wendy's Supa Sundaes will open in Onehunga.

* Ripcurl, Meccano, Canterbury NZ and Designer Haircare open at Hornby.