It almost feels like we have tumbled along the past few months, stood back up, and realised we are nearly in December. What a ride we have had in 2021. It has been an enormously challenging time for Aucklanders, and especially our health care workers and business owners. Not something we will want to repeat any time soon.

To make sure we keep safety front and centre, please remember to a) wear a mask whenever you’re out and about in public areas; b) scan/sign into every business you enter; 3) keep a safe distance when out on the streets and in stores; and 4) #shopnice – globally and around New Zealand, post-lockdown there has been a spike in aggression towards retail staff. That duvet cover that is out of stock, or the shirt size that’s not available isn’t worth getting stressed over! There will be shortages for some products, and there will be delays getting some items in-stores. The entire global supply chain is slightly out of kilter at the moment. 

We are about to transition into the traffic light system and more and more people are getting back to normality. During the months of lockdown Newmarket was a hive of shop-fit-out activity. There are some new stores around the precinct, some have moved to new premises, and we have more luxury retail on offer (some for the first time in NZ). Below is a quick run-down on what happened during lockdown.

Timberland has returned to Newmarket after a short hiatus, their new flagship store can now be found on the corner of Broadway and Teed Street. Saben are new kids on the block and have recently opened a boutique in Teed Street just along from taylor. Wavefit, gym clothing specialists, have opened at 160 Broadway, near Modes; Camden & Co have opened their new store opposite 277 Broadway. 

A number of stores have relocated, including: Birkenstock who have moved out from Station Square and into Teed Street, right beside Timberland; Redcurrent have moved from Westfield and out onto Broadway beside AS Colour; L’Occitane have moved from one side of Broadway to the other and are now located just along from Smith & Caughey’s; Nature Baby, long term residents of Carlton Gore Road, have moved to a new and bigger store in Melrose Street; Deadly Ponies have flipped sides of the road in Osborne Street with a stunning new boutique; Parker & Co have relocated from Nuffield Street to Teed Street, just down from the Teed St Larder; Stylerunner, who are new to NZ, have opened a huge 300m2 store opposite Rodd & Gunn inside Westfield, along with a brand new store for Aje Athletica.

In addition to all of this Smith & Caughey’s have opened a brand new Home department, plus a café, and new beauty treatment rooms. They have also welcomed Hermès Cosmetics to the store. Speaking of luxury there are new arrivals into Westfield Newmarket, including: Saint Laurent, who opened just before lockdown; and now Moncler, Balenciaga, Burberry, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander McQueen are all open. Coach will be open any day as well. So as you can see, there is plenty going on in Newmarket.

To keep up with all of our announcements about what’s happening in the precinct - who’s opening, what’s new, where to eat etc - keep an eye on newmarket.co.nz. You can also subscribe to our fortnightly email ‘The Edit’, plus follow us on our social channels @newmarketnz.

On behalf of the Newmarket team, Board, and all of our businesses, we extend our heartfelt thanks once again for your continued support of the precinct this year. We know you have many choices for places to go for health & fitness, hospitality, entertainment or retail therapy, so we are very grateful whenever you choose to do those things here, in Newmarket. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and very happy Christmas.

Mark Knoff-Thomas CEO, Newmarket Business Association.