IT'S A GIRL THING
Stepping off Papanui Road and into Merivale Mall will lead you right to Stirling Women – and this bright, contemporary corner space is a radical, bold new step for local retail. It’s an environment for women, run by women and is a sister company to Stirling Sports in every sense of the word. Stirling Women is a definite response to the ‘Sports Luxe’ movement, which is here to stay.
Franchise owner Kelly Leigh opened the space last October, working with the Stirling brand on the store fit-out and overall concept. A notable feature of the store is the unique offering of a drink station, where customers browsing can top up their drink bottles with various flavoured sparkling waters. Hydration while you shop! The décor is fresh, modern, and filled with light and greenery. No aggressive marketing or bargain bins here – this is a space to feel at home and focus on a little bit of retail therapy.
Kelly says that Merivale Mall was chosen as the location for the second Stirling Women store in Christchurch, as the mall fosters a strong sense of community within its patrons and stores. Naturally, this matches the values around customer service in-store. Kelly believes Merivale Mall provides the best opportunity for her and the team to build connections and engagement with their customers.
“We like to treat our customers in a genuine way, like family. We know our regulars’ names, and we know what sizes they take. We take the time to get to know their style.
“The team are all passionate about helping our customers find the perfect tights, the comfiest shoe or the cosiest hoodie. We love to take the time with customers to genuinely be able to help them out.”
The Stirling Women brand was born in 2016, thanks to a swift response to the need for a women’s specific space. Something designed by women, run by women, and for women to enjoy. Kelly notes the sports industry, and in particular sports stores, had always been quite ‘masculine and impersonal’, and with active lifestyles being front and centre of the push for overall wellness, the newest offshoot of the Stirling brand was born.
Stirling Women stocks some of the world’s best brands. There are classic household names like Adidas, Nike, Champion, and Puma, as well as Tommy, Aimn, and LA Vintage. The Merivale store also boasts the largest range of PE Nation in Christchurch – the brand’s street-meets-sportswear vibe happed to slot in perfectly with the rest of the offerings.
Kelly is working on some exciting events in the near future, partnering with other local businesses within the local Merivale village.
“We want our events to be meaningful and engaging for our customers and to align with our values around the local community and personal well-being. These events are something my team and I have been working on for a while, and we just cannot wait to share them with our customers soon!”
From shoes to jackets, to workout wear and more, Kelly’s store will have you kitted out in comfortable, fashionable activewear. Perfect for a step in the right direction towards your own wellness and health.