// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Strandbags say to its owner? You're always bagging me.
 Strandbags store in Westfield Carousel | |
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1927 |
| Headquarters | , Australia |
Number of locations | 260+ stores (2025) |
Area served |
|
Key people | Felicity McGahan (CEO) |
| Products | Handbags, luggage, personal accessories |
| Owner | Michael Lewis |
Number of employees | 2000+ (2025) |
| Subsidiaries | Antler |
| Website | strandbags strandbags |
| Footnotes [1] | |
Strand, or Strandbags Holdings, is an Australian and New Zealand retailer of handbags, wallets, luggage, backpacks and other personal accessories.[2] The chain has over 234 stores around Australia.[3] It also has 26 stores in New Zealand.[4] It owns the British luggage brand Antler and the private label brands Evity and Nere.
History
[edit] | This section appears to be slanted towards recent events. (October 2024) |
Strandbags was founded in 1927.[5]
Felicity McGahan became CEO of Strandbags in 2018.[6] In September 2019, the company opened a new larger concept flagship store at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre, as part of a strategy to expand the size of major stores.[7] In October 2019, Strandbags invested in luggage startup July.[8]
During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, stores closed for at least six weeks.[9]
In August 2020, Scentre Group locked out some Strandbags stores over a rental dispute.[10] The decision affected stores at Westfield centres in Australia.[11] The dispute was resolved and the stores were allowed to reopen.[12] Strandbags' revenue for the 2021 fiscal year was hit hard by the pandemic, only reaching $195.1 million compared to $350.8 million the previous year.[13]
In July 2020, the British luggage brand Antler was acquired by Strandbags.[14][15]
In May 2021, the New Zealand Commerce Commission laid charges against Strandbags under the Fair Trading Act 1986, accusing it of misleading consumers about discounts.[2] The Commission accused the company of marketing discounts against a regular price that had never been used.[4] The company was fined NZ$780,000 in November 2022.[16]
In October 2021, Strandbags relaunched its website following a four-month redevelopment process.[17] It followed the appointment of new Chief of Technology and Head of Online the previous year.[18]
In May 2022, Strandbags launched Evity, a leather goods brand[19] and, in July 2022, the company launched its Nere luggage brand in Australia and New Zealand. A UK launch followed in May 2023.[20][21] The first stand-alone Nere retail store opened in Melbourne in November 2023.[22]
In November 2022, Strandbags rebranded as Strand.[23]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Strand Modern Slavery Statement FY25" (PDF). Strand. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- 1 2 Foxcroft, Debrin (27 May 2021). "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". Stuff. Stuff.
- ↑ "Strandbags". strandbags.com.au. Strandbags Group.
- 1 2 "Strandbags charged over discounting practices". New Zealand Commerce Commission. New Zealand Government. 27 May 2021.
- ↑ McCourt, Georgie (2025-08-05). "How To Pack (Light) Like A Pro - And Actually Look Forward To It". Marie Claire. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
- ↑ Benmedjdoub, Assia (9 December 2019). "GAP, Cotton On and now Strandbags: prepare for a revolution". Ragtrader. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ↑ Blake, Dean (9 September 2019). "Strandbags unveils new store concept at Chadstone". Inside Retail. Octomedia.
- ↑ Redrup, Yolanda (2019-10-14). "Luggage start-up July raises $10.5 million from Strandbags". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
- ↑ Jurd, Bradley (9 May 2020). "Bathurst Strandbags re-opens its doors after six-week closure". Western Advocate. Australian Community Media.
- ↑ Khadem, Nassim (21 August 2020). "Westfield locks retailers out of stores as national retail sales rise 3.3 per cent". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ↑ Andaloro, Sarina (20 August 2020). "Why more than 100 Australian fashion stores have closed indefinitely". Seven News. Seven West Media.
- ↑ "Vicinity slaps Myer with lawsuit over unpaid rent at Melbourne flagship store". The Australian. News Corp Australia. 10 November 2021.
- ↑ LaFrenz, Carrie (2022-11-04). "Travel makes a comeback and so does Strandbags". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ Beevers, Angela (2020-02-19). "Endless sells the Antler luggage brand". Retail Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ Wightman-Stone, Danielle (2022-09-13). "Luggage maker Antler names new managing director". FashionUnited. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ "Strandbags fined $780k by court for misleading customers". NZ Herald. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ Crozier, Ry. "Strandbags re-platforms e-commerce under 'Project Future'". IT News. Next Media.
- ↑ Bennett, Tess. "Strandbags bolsters technology team with two new senior hires". IT News. Next Media.
- ↑ Blake, Dean (2022-05-05). "Strandbags goes hell for leather with new style-focused brand Evity". Inside Retail New Zealand. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ Dong, Irene (2023-05-11). "Strand launches Nere luggage brand in UK, online". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ Halliday, Sandra (2023-06-08). "Strandbags launches 'fashion travel' brand Nere in UK, US". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ McIlvaine, Heather (2023-11-28). "With new store, Nere seeks to elevate travel for the mass market". Inside Retail Australia. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
- ↑ "Strandbags announces biggest change in 95-year history". Ragtrader. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2024-10-18.