New names at the mall

SANDTON CITY, PRETORIA COURT OPENS ITS DOORS

THERE'S a whole new world of retail opening today at Sandton City. Three of the most eagerly awaited stores in the new Pretoria Court are the @Home mega shop and showroom; Mr Price, which launches Amber Jones's new designs for the first time in their latest Project Range , of course, Zara.

According to trend analyst Dion Chang, the way South Africans experience retail will change with the launch of the Spanish Zara's flagship store.

Over and above the merchandise, the quick turnaround of items and the good prices is the dedication to the customer. As Emma Jordan, editor of iFashion reports: ''Daily staff feedback sessions are held discussing what transpires on the shop floor. This info is fed back to management, which in turn is fed back to HQ."

Apparently, 5000 feedback reports are fed to head office every week.

Says Chang: ''If five customers in the same store have the same attitude it is considered a trend and amendments are made - be it style, shape, colour, cut, shop-fitting or service attitude."

For those of you who love local, be the first to grab Durbanite Amber Jones's collection for Mr Price, only available at the Sandton store but from nationwide from November 21. It was a hit on the runway of South Africa Fashion week in September.

EDGARS HAS LAUNCHED ARROW

ESTABLISHED in 1851, US clothing brand Arrow has arrived in South Africa. Arrow has come to represent the iconic man's dress shirt, made, according to the brand's website, ''for a man who is discerning and fashion-savvy but not a slave". Look out for plenty of stripes and nautical colours this summer. Available at selected Edgars stores.

LOCAL YOUNG DESIGNER FASHION AT FOSCHINI

THE limited-edition Foschini AFI Fastrack range will be available at the Canal Walk, Eastgate and Gateway stores from today. The Foschini AFI Fastrack competition was launched this year as a platform for young designers to kick-start their careers in fashion retail.

The Fastrack interns will be available to chat at the Canal Walk store from 3pm.