NZ's Topshop outlet has them queuing

Eager shoppers queue yesterday at The Department Store. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Handbags, sweaters and dresses were flying as hundreds of shopaholics fought their way into the opening of New Zealand's first Topshop outlet yesterday.

Anxious women - and a few men - lined Takapuna's Northcroft St on Auckland's North Shore from 8am in the hope of getting first dibs on the trendy British apparel.

The outlet is on the second floor of The Department Store, owned by designer Karen Walker and hairdresser Stephen Marr.

Walker said it was due to open earlier, but stock got stuck in London when the volcano in Iceland erupted. Some of the first delivery still hadn't arrived yesterday and just 1100 items sat on the racks in an 80sqm area.

The Department Store spokesman Murray Bevan said yesterday that may not have been enough to satisfy demand: "If we sell out at 2pm then that's it. There won't be enough stock to open again until next Saturday."

Topshop became one of Britain's top fashion chains after a rebranding and the addition of outfits approved by supermodel Kate Moss.

Despite its popularity, Retail Consulting Group chairman Paul Keane was sceptical about the company's arrival in New Zealand and believed it could be a way to unload unwanted stock.

"They're a brand that wouldn't normally go into locations like New Zealand without making a statement. If they're going to open here they should open as Topshop."

But The Department Store was happy to the offer the range, said to have an average garment price of $88.

"We are getting the latest merchandise about one, two or three days after London gets them. There is not a big lag-time," Bevan said.

Auckland resident Emma O'Riordian, 31, was first in the queue for the 9am opening.

"I got here at 8.15am and there was no one out here. It was great," she said.

London sisters Nathalie, 26, and Liane O'Toole, 20, were "so happy" their favourite clothing range was available in New Zealand.

"We were expecting a shop, so we were a little surprised to see it upstairs," said Nathalie.