Two new clothing stores

Press, 4 October 1977, Page 16

Two new clothing stores

Mrs Pope. Ltd, has opened two new shops in the Hornby Mall — the seventh in the chain to carry children’s and women’s wear and knitting wool, and the second jean shop, known as Pants Trading Company.

Already this year Mrs Pope, Ltd, has opened one new branch — in Rangiora — and now two more shops will be added to the group.

From small beginnings in 1862. Mrs Pope, Ltd, has grown to the size where a staff of 60 is employed.

The new Hornby Mall children and women’s wear shop occupies about 3000 sq ft and will be run by a manageress and at least four assistants. Situated between Cadi-

gans Men’s and Boy’s’ Wear, Ltd, and Hannahs, Ltd, this branch of Mrs Pope, Ltd, is another example of a new concept in shop layout, devised by Mrs Pope’s manager, Mr F. Baddeley. Access between the three shops is provided so that the shopper can wait through from one to the next to give the impression of a miniature department store operation. This concept in retail shop layout was first started by Mr Baddeley with the opening of Mrs Pope, Ltd, in New Brighton about seven years ago. Access there is to the adjoining shops, Hannahs, Ltd, and Hallensteins, Ltd. This concept has also been adopted in the Riccarton Mall. Probably the most eye-

catching decor of any of the new Hornby Mall shops must be that of the “Pants Trading Company,’’ a subsidiary of Mrs Pope, Ltd. Painted in electric red and set off by aluminium ceilings and panels, the shop is complete with stereo gear.

The first Pants Trading Company was opened in Christchurch about four years ago and this is the second branch.

“Today it is important to make the shop attractive to the customer if the retailer is to make a success of selling his goods.” says Mr Baddeley.

“I used to think it was better to do the decor as cheaply as possible but then I suddenly realised that a good decor improved the look of the merchandise.”