![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_9391.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nTwo menswear retailers are pulling out of Westfield Riccarton, with YD and Tarocash closing their stores next month.<\/p>\n
YD will close on 9 August, while Tarocash will shut its doors on 16 August.<\/p>\n
The brands are owned by Australian retailer Retail Apparel Group, known as RAG, which also owns menswear chains Connor and Johnny Bigg.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tarocash at Westfield Riccarton<\/p>\n
Tarocash branch manager Mayson Downie told chrislynchmedia.com it was disappointing to see the stores leave, particularly as foot traffic through the mall had increased.<\/p>\n
Downie believed the uplift was partly being driven by activity around the new stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a real shame because the stores were going from strength to strength and sales were strong,\u201d Downie said.<\/p>\n
Downie said the company decided not to renew their store leases following an increase in rent.<\/p>\n
She said customers had been told about the closures while shopping in the stores.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_9392.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
YD. store at Westfield Riccarton<\/p>\n
Downie said it would be interesting to see whether other retailers followed, with a number of leases understood to be coming up for renewal next month.<\/p>\n
Both brands will retain a Christchurch presence, with YD and Tarocash continuing to operate stores at Dress Smart Hornby.<\/p>\n
Staff from both stores have been redeployed.<\/p>\n
Chris Lynch Media understands Connor and Johnny Bigg stores are also considering their future at Westfield Riccarton.<\/p>\n
Mall management did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
Retail sector showing renewed confidence<\/p>\n
The closures come as the wider retail sector shows signs of renewed confidence, despite continued pressure on discretionary spending.<\/p>\n
Retail NZ\u2019s latest quarterly Retail Radar survey found 69 percent of retailers were confident they would survive the next 12 months, up from 61 percent in the previous quarter.<\/p>\n
The survey also found 61 percent of retailers expected to meet or exceed their sales targets in the coming quarter, a significant improvement on the 34 percent recorded in the previous survey.<\/p>\n
Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said confidence had recovered following a difficult start to the year, when a spike in fuel prices put additional pressure on the sector.<\/p>\n
Freight costs also remained a concern, although the proportion of retailers identifying them as a major issue had fallen from 79 percent in the first quarter to 63 percent.<\/p>\n
The cost of living remained the biggest concern for retailers.<\/p>\n
Despite the improved confidence, recent spending data shows the clothing sector continues to face significant pressure.<\/p>\n
Retail NZ said apparel spending in June fell 4.2 percent compared with the same month last year, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline for the sector.<\/p>\n
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