Power shopping: Alannah Hill brings feminine touch to Nuffield St

Nuffield St is about to become another word for shopping. Of course we've known Westfield, the Australian outfit who do big malls, was planning to turn the historic old Auckland Electric Power Board building on Nuffield St into some posh boutique shops.

The line-up is quite something. There will be 29 shops opening for grateful shoppers on August 17, including oh-so feminine Australian label Alannah Hill, British label Karen Millen, German footwear specialists Birkenstock, General Issue - which will be dealing only in American brand Abercrombie & Fitch - and Trelise Cooper Kids. Other attractions: Superette, Isakelle, Kingan Jones, Runway Shoes, Lucie Boshier, Angela Daniel Jewellery, Swanndri, Glamorpuss, NZ Girl, Occhiali Optical, Australian store Nicholson, Vincent, Strada and hip stationery people Kikki.K. There are also great cafes to replenish lagging energy such as cool noodle joint Wagamama and the lovely homeware store Nest.

Though we doubt there will be any ludicrously cheap televisions on offer, we're picking there will certainly be more traffic around that way soon. Just as well there's more than 300 new car parks.