SYDNEY BRANCH FOR AUCKLAND FIRM

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 18

SYDNEY BRANCH FOR AUCKLAND FIRM

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, September 3. The Auckland carpet and-furniture retailing firm of Irvin and Stern will, in about six weeks, open a branch in the huge Sydney shopping centre, Bankstown Square.

Its 34-year-old managing director (Mr G. J. stern) believes the move to Australian soil to be the first overseas retail venture by a New Zealand company selling New Zealand goods. To publicise the opening, the company has arranged a New Zealand promotion week in the shopping centre. New Zealand manufacturers at present exporting to Australia are a ked to get in touch with Mr Stem so that adequate space can be provided for them in the centre during the promotion week. Sales Of $225,000 Mr Stern yesterday predicted initial sales in the new branch of §225,000 worth of carpet a year and expected the figure to reach §lm after five years. The branch, which occupies 3000 square feet, will be the only shop in the centre specialising in carpets. Mr Stern said that the shop would display New Zealand furniture, but for the time being would sell only New Zealand carpets and hard flooring. “We believe there is a great potential in Australia for New Zealand goods,” he said. “We have one foot in

; the Australian market now with this branch. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t come out on top. About 100,000 people go through the centre each week. If we are the only store specialising in carpets why shouldn’t they buy from us?” The manager of the new branch will be Mr D. G. Scott. Mr Scott, who was a branch manager with Waltons in Sydney, has been manager for Norge in Auckland for the last three years. Irvin and Stern, which was formed with a shop in Takapuna 10 years ago, now has five branches—in Orewa, Papatoetoe, New Lynn, Wellesley street, City, and Pukekohe.