The 1200sqm shop in Capital On the Quay shopping centre is in the middle of the shopping strip, on the capital city’s busiest street. It’s got just enough room for the brand’s full categories of apparel, accessories, shoes and bags.
Jamie Whiting, group managing director for Topshop Topman New Zealand’s operator Top Retail, says the team was expecting even more of a buzz from Wellingtonians after the first New Zealand opening in Auckland. And fans haven’t disappointed, braving the brisk Wellington wind and clogging the sidewalk as they wait in anticipation.
Yo I’m excited for Topshop arriving in Wellington but not enough to sit outside it with a duvet pic.twitter.com/kFj5bICUa4
— Sally (@SallyMuyoma) November 2, 2016
Queues and queues of ppl for the new #Topshop in #Wellington pic.twitter.com/BHvrjmVUqn
— orla margaret fahy (@orlafahy21) November 2, 2016
The first people through the door started queuing at 2.15pm yesterday and finally walked through the doors at 9am today.
Topshop opens in Wellington this morning. The people at the front of the queue got there at 2.15pm yesterday! https://t.co/dK6nuhm3De pic.twitter.com/m6yjeYpRa8
— Dominion Post (@DomPost) November 2, 2016
Once again mystery vouchers were given to the first 300 people in line, and the first two in line received a $1,000 voucher each.
But this poor soul, Olivia Nally, only got a $10 voucher after waiting nine hours:
lol sat on the street for 9 hours waiting for the opening of @Topshop Wellington…..got a $10 gift card #thanks #notworthit
— Olivia Nally (@OliviaNally) November 2, 2016
Guy from radio show The Hits Wellington checked out the queue and got some great footage of the space as he nudged his way in.
But the police protection outside had some locals raising questions.
Topshop opening in #Wellington has police protection. Terrible choice of priorities by both Wellington and the Police
— Gregory Graham (@1truegreg) November 2, 2016
Make-up artists, nail paint stations, a photo wall and DJ were all waiting inside. And model and social media personality Maia Cotton made an appearance, as well as Karen Walker.
Although there are plenty of pictures of crisp Topshop bags on social, not everyone was impressed:
Went to check out the new @Topshop in @Wellington_NZ , now i feel old and fat 🙁 pic.twitter.com/u643d4SLOY
— Kitteh Kat (@Motorgirll) November 2, 2016
New Zealand is now one of 164 countries where Topshop has a physical presence, with 499 stores worldwide. And New Zealander consumers will soon be able to by Topshop and Topman direct online as well.
Top Retail still has it’s eyes on Christchurch for another crowd-drawing store opening and the group are not ruling out the possibility of having more than one store in Wellington or Auckland.
