Retail Therapy
We are quickly approaching Christmas, and I’ve learned a lot about how retail works in New Zealand as I am my house’s designated Santa. A common misconception is that there’s not much in New Zealand and what is here is incredibly expensive because the count is so isolated . That is not true! There are tons of reasonable retail establishments and plenty of shopping options as long as you’re willing to be patient and to try new places.
Malls still rule the day: While online shopping is growing, it takes a long time for goods to get here, so malls and strip malls are still the center of commerce. One local mall, Sylvia Park, is undergoing a huge construction project to add space for sixty new retailers - and there is a waitlist for tenancy.
In addition to the traditional malls, shopping neighborhoods are very common. Along Jervois road, areas of Newmarket, and Ponsonby are all popular. Downtown (or in the “CBD” as it is called here) the Britomart is a wonderful development with lots of international and national shops.
Amazon is not Amazon: One of the few things I can honestly say I miss about the United States is Amazon Prime. Oh to be able to order anything I want, have most of it capable of being delivered tomorrow, and everything else in two days! There is no Amazon equivalent here, but there is an Amazon shop in most every mall: a store that bills itself as Surf, Skate, Denim. Not exactly the same thing!
Never pay full price. Ever.: Kiwis love a good sale. As a result, it seems like prices are intentionally inflated because sometime in the next two weeks, there will be a 50% off sale. With a little patience and planning, I find just about everything at a reasonable price. Also, most of the bigger chain stores have outlet centers sprinkled around.
Succumb to the memberships: Another great way to get goods at reasonable prices is to suck it up and join all of the stores’ membership and points programs. This is also true for gas purchases. There is a freakin’ membership for everything! I haven’t found that I receive much in the way of spam email, fortunately. It’s not enough to drive me nuts, and it is genuinely nice to get alerts for upcoming sales (see above - it is the only time to buy.)
Tax is included in the price: The price on the tag? That’s the actual price you’re going to pay. GST is 15%, but as a consumer, I never have to do the math in my head. It isn’t like in the U.S. where I’d have to contemplate what exactly x+.0825x =?. This makes the prices seem higher, but often I find when the tax is factored in there really isn’t much of a difference.
International brands permeate everything: Even New Zealand’s bubble. All of the big brands are here. H&M, Zara, Nike, Lululemon, Lush, Hush Puppies, Kiehl’s Lorna Jane, and every luxury brand you can think of has set up shop somewhere in Auckland. I miss Anthropologie, but that’s about it. There are New Zealand chains and designers that produce wonderful clothing, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them.
