Add UK River Iceland melee Australian Fashion

  The invasion of foreign fashion is gaining momentum with fast-fashion pioneer River Iceland start an Australian online store before the opening of the first brick-and-mortar stores.

The British brand, which it adopted a fast turnaround model in the 1980s was one of the world's leading retailers, plans to unveil its Australian online shop on Wednesday and scouring the market for suitable locations saved.

Last week, Urban Outfitters American competitors would begin to deliver to Australia, joining online pure plays such as asos.com and ShopStyle.

The arrival of River Iceland comes like Zara, enter a world leader in fast fashion retailers in Australia, filed accounts show a turnover of $ 106.8 million in the 12 months ending in January, nearly double the $ 68.5 million sales in the first year.

According to a report from German bank, the revenue per store was Zara Australia Pty Ltd. $ 43 million to $ 26 million addition to open shops.

However, gross margin increased from 63.5 percent in 2011 to 66.7 percent in 2012, has the cost of doing business dropped from 40.1 percent to 37.2 percent of sales, margin and operating profit increased by 20.0 percent to 24.9 percent, Zara one of the most profitable retailers in Australia.

The company achieved a net profit of $ 18. Million compared to $ 9.4 million in 2011.

According to the German bank, Zara Australia stock turn of 8.5 times was also well above the average for the retailers to local stores.

Zara Australia is a 80/20 joint venture between Zara Holdings, owned by Spain's Inditex and the management of international brand.

German says Zara has not been a major influence on Australian retailers. Retailers such as Myer, David Jones, Premier Investments and Just Group say they have benefited from the pedestrian zone more Zara stores.

However, German are fears for the long-term prospects for the Australian retailers more global fast-fashion brands.

Uniqlo in Japan, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, H & M and Sweden will open in the next 12 months due to her first Australian stores, joining newcomers such as Top Shop.

River Iceland plans branches in Australia next year in collaboration with the Retail & Apparel Group, YD, and Connor has Tarocash, but the deal collapsed earlier this year when both n not able to agree on the financial terms.

River Iceland offers Australian consumers free in the first week and designed to access the entire range in the northern hemisphere as well as products for the Australian market.