Aussie workers and visitors might be disappearing from London but a wave of Australian retailers have begun a march on the capital.
The number of Australians issued working visas for the UK has halved in the past eight years but a group of fashion, food and childrens' retailers think there is a gap in the market for their wares.
Stationary retailer Smiggle is planning to open 250 shops in the UK and will make its debut in Westfield Stratford next year. The childrens' stationery and toy group describes itself as having "Willy Wonka" magic and is part of the Just Group, which operates 1,000 stores across seven brands globally.
Earlier this week Australian mens' fashion brand Industrie opened in Earlham Street in Seven Dials in Covent Garden and Australian accessories brand Colette is said to be considering opening stores in the UK. The Australian jewellery and accessories company, founded in 2010 by husband and wife duo Mark and Colette Hayman after the pair sold their stake in jewellery brand Diva, has 78 stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Guy Thomas at Lend Lease – the Australian property group behind Bluewater shopping centre in Kent - said: "The UK has long been a key focus for international brands, and increasingly so amongst Australian retailers. Australia generates a number of interesting concepts that bring something new to UK consumers."
Other recent Australian entrants include homeware specialist Sheridan, and chocolate café concepts Cocoba and Theobroma.
The retail expansion in the UK is in contrast to the demise of Australian themed bars in the capital. The first Walkabout pub in London in Covent Garden shut earlier this year and followed the closure of Antipodean themed Redback Tavern and Billabong bar in Wimbledon.
