- Source: Strandbags
Strand, or the Strandbags Group, is an Australian and New Zealand retailer of handbags, wallets, luggage, backpacks and other personal accessories. The chain has over 234 stores around Australia. It also has 26 stores in New Zealand. It owns the private label brands Evity and Nere.
History
In September 2019, Strandbags opened a new larger concept flagship store at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, as part of a strategy to expand the size of major stores.
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, stores closed for at least six weeks.
In August 2020, Scentre Group locked out some Strandbags stores over a rental dispute. The decision affected stores at Westfield centres in Australia. The dispute was resolved and the stores were allowed to reopen. Strandbags' revenue for the 2021 fiscal year was hit hard by the pandemic, only reaching $195.1 million compared to $350.8 million the previous year.
In July 2020, the British luggage brand Antler was acquired by ATR Holdings, an associated company of Strandbags.
In May 2021, the New Zealand Commerce Commission laid charges against Strandbags under the Fair Trading Act 1986, accusing it of misleading consumers about discounts. The Commission accused the company of marketing discounts against a regular price that had never been used. Consumer NZ alleged similar tactics were also used by other retailers; the Commission warned other retailers against doing so.
In October 2021, Strandbags relaunched its website following a four-month redevelopment process. It followed the appointment of new Chief of Technology and Head of Online the previous year.
In May 2022, Strandbags launched Evity, a leather goods brand and, in July 2022, the company launched its Nere luggage brand in Australia and New Zealand. A UK launch followed in May 2023. The first stand-alone Nere retail store opened in Melbourne in November 2023.
In November 2022, Strandbags rebranded as Strand.
References
External links
Official website