New Zealand , Icebreaker Launches Eco-Friendly Retail TouchLab in Ponsonby

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Grand Opening VIP and Media Event Set for November 13

Nov 3, 2014

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (November 3, 2014) – Icebreaker, the New Zealand brand that pioneered merino wool for the outdoor industry, today announced the launch of its newest retail TouchLab in the trendy Ponsonby neighborhood of Auckland.  Designed with eco-friendly elements incorporated throughout, the latest addition to Icebreaker’s global retail TouchLab program sits at the center of neighborhood’s world-renowned restaurant district in the heart of the fashion community.

To celebrate the grand opening, Icebreaker CEO Rob Fyfe and Company Founder Jeremy Moon will host a grand opening preview for media and VIP guests on November 13 from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

“At Icebreaker, we are dedicated to protecting the environment so that future generations may enjoy adventures in nature,” says Rob Fyfe, Icebreaker Chief Executive Officer. “Therefore, we are very excited to introduce Ponsonby to our newest TouchLab, which reflects our eco-friendly design standards and commitment to creating sustainable work environments.”

The Ponsonby TouchLab is the 24^th location in Icebreaker’s global network of retail stores, which includes a network of 12 North American stores in major international cities, including Montreal, San Francisco, New York, Vancouver and Chicago. As Icebreaker enters its third decade, the brand has grown into the world’s largest merino outdoor apparel company with over 5,000 wholesale doors in 50 countries; contributing to New Zealand’s agriculture industry by utilizing 25% of the country’s merino wool supply.

The 984-square foot TouchLab at 130 Ponsonby Road will feature many eco-friendly elements, including energy efficient air conditioning, low-flow plumbing fixtures and a highly efficient thermal envelope with some restricted glass areas. In addition, LED lighting is incorporated throughout the building and rainwater will be collected for plant irrigation and internal plumbing. All materials used in the building construction are sustainable, including walls and engineered wood floors produced from sustainable plywood that has been sourced from farmed trees that are either replanted or produced from recycled materials.

The natural, rustic and modern TouchLab design will also introduce several new store concepts and designs, including the launch of Icebreaker’s “Body Fit Bar and Shop.” Designed out of a need to showcase the world’s best baselayer on the pedestal it deserves, Icebreaker designed this store-within-a-store exclusively dedicated to baselayers. The actual body-fit bar is a space where guests are invited to learn about merino baselayers and the entire “Born to Worn” Icebreaker sustainability story, as told through hand-curated books and other elements that bring New Zealand and the story of Icebreaker to life.

The Ponsonby TouchLab store will feature Icebreaker's complete line of innovative merino wool apparel, including Outdoor, Run/Fitness, Kids, Underwear and Travel/Lifestyle collections and Socks and Accessories, all made from merino wool sourced from the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

The Icebreaker Ponsonby TouchLab will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The store is located at 130 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand. Store Phone: 09 361 3602. Icebreaker has six other New Zealand TouchLabs: Napier, Wellington Airport, Downtown Wellington, Newmarket, Queenstown Airport, Queen Street Auckland and Auckland Airport.

About Icebreaker

Icebreaker merino clothing for the outdoors, technical sports and lifestyle includes underwear, mid layer garments, outerwear, socks and accessories for men, women and children. Icebreaker is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and is sold in more than 4000 stores in 50 countries; at Icebreaker retail stores in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States and online at Icebreaker.com.

Please visit media.icebreaker.com  for more information about Icebreaker, and jeremymoon.me for more information on Icebreaker founder Jeremy Moon.  Follow Icebreaker on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.

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