THE city is crying out for major retailers to open outposts in the Far North, but some popular chains seem reluctant to spread their wings.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said the time was right for new shops as major hotel and tourism developments open.
He said the northern beaches was well placed for JB Hi-Fi to open a third store in the city and suggested there was room for “big format” fashion retailers such as H&M and Uniqlo to capitalise on vacant retail space across the city.
“I think that any new ones that come in should take up and redevelop the retail space that’s already there,” he said.
Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie is overseeing the construction of three new hotels in the Cairns CBD. He said they would have limited retail offerings – a small boutique shop within the Riley hotel, another little retail area for Bailey but none for Flynn.
“Bigger brands will start to see opportunities with these additional people coming into Cairns,” he said.
