Based on a highly successful model rolled out across the UK, the new Laura Ashley store will be the largest of its kind in Australia – at nearly 800 sqm. It will focus predominantly on homewares, with a supporting fashion element.

The new concept store will be made up of cleverly designed ‘room sets’ that will invite customers to interact with Laura Ashley products in a home setting. The concept inspires customers to choose products from within a complete bedroom or dining room setting, from the lights on the ceiling to rugs on the floor and everything in between.

“We’re extremely excited by the potential of Brand Junction, and a store of nearly 800 square metres allows us the opportunity to showcase our complete range.” said Richard Owen, Laura Ashley’s Chief Operating Officer.

In another coup for the Homewares precinct, Garrards will also open at the Brand Junction centre. A well-known Melbourne retail name Garrards have been an icon niche retail in the Northern suburbs for over
15 years. The expansion to a premium retail centre ensures their extensive range of discount quality merchandise will reach a whole new audience.

Also on offer at the Brand Junction Homewares precinct will be popular retail names such as Sheridan, Pure Zone, Crabtree & Evelyn, The General Trader and more.

Gearing up to open later this year Brand Junction will offer brands marked at up to 70 percent off and house around 100 international and national brands with many not available in any of the other shopping centres in the area.

Eagerly awaited by local residents, Brand Junction offers this rapidly growing residential population a fresh and contemporary shopping alternative. The existing population located in a 20 minute drive time from University Hill is in excess of 600,000.

The centre will comprise of three major areas; Fashion and Accessories, Streetwear and Sportswear and Homewares. Each of these areas will feature a mix of big name retailers. The Fashion and Accessories area includes major international labels such as MNG, Guess, Pacific Brands, Bonds and accessories including Strandbags and Sintra and shoes by Novo, Midas, Mollini and Shoo Biz, Florsheim.

The Sports and Street wear precinct will be represented by names like Converse, Fila, Russell Athletic, Lorna Jane and Plunj.

“As an entirely new concept in brand outlet shopping, Brand Junction will create a retail experience never before seen by residents, students and workers in the burgeoning north-eastern growth corridor, it will delivers an innovative mix of leading brands at discount prices in a new master planned, street-based shopping environment” said Mark O’Connell, MAB Corporation’s General Manager of Retail.

Brand Junction is the latest stage of the University Hill Town Centre which already comprises a Coles supermarket, Westpac, Priceline and 20 speciality stores. The Health and Wellbeing component is soon to be finished which will include the already open Childcare Centre and Medical Centre along with a Genesis Gym and other Medical Services. To finish off the Town Centre development an Entertainment precinct will be developed including a range of restaurants and bars and potentially a cinema complex.

University Hill continues to grow at rapid rate with Brand Junction set to open, strong apartment and house and land sales and a highly successful business park with the second commercial office opening.