In this Q&A with Ragtrader, David Jones GM of womenswear, footwear and accessories Bridget Veals as well as GM of menswear, childrenswear, homewares and food Chris Wilson unveil the department store's Spring 23 strategy.
What key brands has David Jones introduced to your portfolio for Spring?
Bridget: This season we’ve introduced over 40 new brands to the David Jones portfolio, with international designers such as LouLou Studio, Needle & Thread, Otiumberg, Gentle Monster, Norma Kamalli, Sporty & Rich and Tove, and home-grown talent Elka Collective, Sass & Bide, Posse, Palm Noosa, Cleopatra’s Bling and It’s Now Cool joining our womenswear collection.
Chris: From a menswear point of view the latest additions include international powerhouses A.P.C., Carhartt, Autry, Stone Island, Reebok and BOSS Green.
What are the top-selling categories in your department recently?
Bridget: Resort wear has performed well for this time of year, which is no surprise given how many people have travelled to warmer climates whether it's domestically or abroad.
Chris: Additionally, customers are investing in staple pieces and wardrobe essentials, and we expect that to continue through summer.
What key opportunities are you preparing for ahead?
Bridget: Spring is finally here, and with that, we will focus on the launch of our new season collections, new brands to the portfolio, and seasonal season trends that lean into dressing up for key events on the calendar.
Chris: We are optimistic moving into the new season given our strong plans for Spring, Black Friday, and Christmas. These are key moments for our menswear and homeware categories.
How has consumer spending/behaviour changed in 2023 compared to 2022?
Bridget: Customers are shifting from the more-is-more dopamine dressing we saw post-pandemic into investment dressing. This demonstrates the strength of our premium product mix with quality pieces that will be a mainstay in wardrobes for years to come.
Any other news to share?
Bridget: The spring season has officially arrived, which is exciting from a fashion perspective. It also marks the launch of the much-loved David Jones Flower Show at our Elizabeth Street Flagship in Sydney. Featuring installations from seven visionary floral artists the 66th annual Flower Show runs from the 6th to 17th of September and is an experience not to be missed.
Chris: The Designer Collections from our Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) Pathways Program will launch in-store at our Elizabeth Street Flagship this October. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our First Nations Designer collections while reaffirming our commitment to reconciliation and our continued support of First Nations creative talent.