Australian fashion retailer, Sportscraft, is opening its first New Zealand store this week, with further sites planned for 2014.

It is the local chain’s first international expansion and follows a strong year for parent company, Apparel Group, which also owns Saba and Willow.

The site, a concession in Christchurch department store, Ballanytnes, will sell both womenswear, menswear, and accessories.

“We are entering a very exciting period in Sportscraft’s history with the opening of our first shopping destination in New Zealand,” says Daniel Bracken, CEO, Apparel Group.

Sportscraft is sold in over 200 locations Australia-wide, including stores, online, and department store concessions.

It is celebrating 100 years in business in 2014.