Outdoors retailer, Anaconda and Rebel Sport have confirmed they will open stores at Wollongong Central later this year.

The Anaconda store, which will be the first to open in the Illawarra, will include the region’s biggest range of camping, hiking, fishing and recreational water sports equipment. It will also include a wide range of bikes and cycling gear.

The new Rebel store will have a modern design and full service footwear department.

Rebel will continue to trade at its current location at Wollongong Central until the new format store opens. Once vacated, the existing Rebel store will be reconfigured as part of the new David Jones precinct.

“We’re very excited about Anaconda and Rebel’s decision to open new stores at Wollongong Central,” said Antony Keenan, the centre’s regional GM, GPT.

“Customers at Wollongong Central are set for the best sporting and leisure retail experience in the Illawarra.

“Combined with the planned opening of H&M’s first Illawarra store and a new world-class David Jones, the new Anaconda and rebel stores will consolidate Wollongong Central as the Illawarra’s leading fashion and shopping destination,” he said.

GPT said the opening of H&M at the start of September was a major success with trade at Wollongong Central exceeding expectations. An estimated 200,000 people visited Wollongong Central for the four day ‘Paint the Town Red’ festival that was held to celebrate the H&M opening.

GPT expects to provide details on the plans for this space in the coming months.

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