DFS to launch new Resort Galleria concept with T Galleria in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital

DFS to launch new Resort Galleria concept with T
Galleria in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure
capital
NEW ZEALAND. DFS Group is to open a new T Galleria store in the heart of Queenstown, New Zealand, by
mid-2022. DFS said that the store will be the first in a new ‘Resort Galleria’ concept which is being introduced
to the travel retailer’s global portfolio.

The store will be located in O’Connells, one of Queenstown’s most popular retail and dining complexes, which
will be substantially renovated by owners Skyline Enterprises.

The artist’s renderings on this page capture the vibrancy of the new-look O’Connells, where the T Galleria by DF
will be housed. The spectacular mountain range in the background is known as the Remarkables.

Queenstown, a resort town in the South Island of New Zealand, has long been regarded as a favourite holiday
destination for local and international tourists thanks to its dramatic alpine scenery and multitude of year-round
activities. Its excellent dining, hospitality and entertainment options – it is dubbed New Zealand’s adventure
capital – are particularly appealing to international travellers. The town is New Zealand’s second-most visited
tourist location, having received around 1.2 million visitors in 2019.

T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown will occupy 1,800sq m of space across two floors of the new O’Connells
complex, providing an international retail experience unlike anything that is currently available in the town,

DFS pledged. The store will feature some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands across fashion and
accessories, beauty, watches, jewellery and wines and spirits, alongside some of New Zealand’s best local
products.

The O’Connells complex is a perfect site for the new store, ideally situated in the heart of Queenstown and
featuring numerous food & beverage choices in addition to retail, DFS added.

Queenstown, a resort town in Otago province, is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations for Kiwi
and international visitors

New Resort Galleria concept to convey sense of place and community
Described as “casually sophisticated and inviting”, the Resort Gallerias will showcase curated assortments of
renowned international and local brands, emphasising an authentic sense of place and community. The
Queenstown store will feature an open and airy design with an informal yet elegant feel, created from natural
and sustainable locally-sourced materials, DFS said.

Benjamin Vuchot: DFS will enhance the
allure of the resort town through a curated
assortment of outstanding international and
local products

“We are very excited to introduce, for the first time in Queenstown, a carefully curated selection of the best
luxury retail and finest local products, further enhancing the reputation and appeal of this beautiful resort among
discerning global travellers,” said DFS Group Chairman and CEO Benjamin Vuchot.

“We are delighted to welcome T Galleria and its new resort store concept to O’Connells,” added Skyline
Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Geoff McDonald. “It fits perfectly with our vision for the new O’Connells
as a blend of quality shopping with an artisan, locally focused food & beverage offering.

“O’Connells has long been a meeting and social space for locals and visitors and having the T Galleria store as
part of the redeveloped O’Connells not only continues this tradition but is a strong endorsement of the
revitalisation of downtown Queenstown.”

Queenstown experienced a +10% growth in international visitors from 2017 to 2019, prior to border restrictions
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. DFS and Skyline Enterprises are confident that Queenstown will see a
strong return by international travellers when borders reopen, due to the town and region’s stunning scenery,
fresh alpine climate and numerous attractions.

T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown will be DFS’ third location in New Zealand. The retailer has operated T
Galleria by DFS, Auckland in the famous Custom House heritage building since 1997 and operates several
boutiques at Auckland Airport.

Trio of 2021 new store announcements
The Queenstown project is the third store opening that DFS has announced already this year. In January, the
company opened its first downtown store in Hainan, China, with its partner Shenzhen Duty Free Group. A
month later, DFS announced a new T Galleria to be developed in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, Australia, by end-
2022.

In addition, the company is on track to open its largest and most significant flagship store to date, Samaritaine

Paris Pont-Neuf by DFS, later this year in the French capital.

Skyline Enterprises is a major tourism operator with operations in New Zealand and offshore. Pioneers of the
gondola in New Zealand, Skyline owns and operates gondola cableways in Queenstown and Rotorua, and offers
restaurants and cafes, luge operations and other activities.

It also owns accommodation properties Blue Peaks Lodge in Queenstown and Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge
in Dunedin; 100% of the Christchurch Casino and 33% of the Dunedin Casino; and a portfolio of nine
commercial properties in Queenstown’s CBD. Internationally Skyline owns and operates four luge sites at
Sentosa Island in Singapore, Mont Tremblant and Calgary in Canada and at Tongyeong in South Korea.