Australian fashion and lifestyle brand Country Road will open the doors to its only home boutique on Friday, March 28 this year.
The new standalone store, housing just the home ranges, will be based in Albert Park in Melbourne’s south. It will be the first of its kind since the brand launched the home category in 1989.
According to Country Road, the store concept redefines traditional retail by creating an immersive shopping experience and reimagining a home’s familiar spaces.
The layout is intended to guide customers through designed rooms, each featuring ranges of homewares in a natural, residential setting.
The store will also include exclusive services such as complimentary gift wrapping for Country Road members. A new scent station will also debut, featuring the brand’s hand washes, body cleansers and candles.
“Country Road Home has experienced significant and consistent growth over the past five years, with an average year-on-year growth of approximately 11 per cent since FY20,” GM of home Ty Symonds (pictured) said.
“In fact, the Country Road logo mug is the brand’s second most-popular product, just behind the heritage sweat.
“Launching a standalone store is an exciting opportunity to continue expanding our category beyond the existing space within our apparel stores, to provide a truly bespoke experience for our customers.”
Country Road signed on local makers to design certain elements within the story, including Jarden-designed, Australian made furniture and 100% wool rugs, alongside custom-glazed pendant lights, wall lights and a handcrafted basin by Robert Gordon. Anchor Ceramics also designed wall hooks for textile displays.
The interior was designed in collaboration with Kennedy Nolan Architects.
The store opening follows several milestones for Country Road home, including an Australian Made ceramics line with Robert Gordon, and Australian Made furniture with Tait.
The Country Road business holds over 172 locations across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa according to its website, including 19 pads across Woolworths department stores in South Africa, 42 spaces in David Jones, 22 Myer pads and 89 stores.