Sportswear clothing company BLK has invested close to $100,000 in setting up its fourth Fijian store. This is in Namaka, Nadi which opens today.

The Australian brand which now has 50 percent Fijian ownership has also  taken a local approach.

BLK will for the first time roll out apparels with school names but with the same quality of what is supplied in the international market.

Director commercial and marketing, Liga Gukisuva, said the aim was to bridge the gap with consumers.

“We have brought out some local designs and for the first time ever we also have lifestyle vests that has Fiji printed on it so the brand is for anyone and anyone can afford it,” Mr Gukisuva said.

When someone walks in, they will see the local content in our BLK stores, he added.

“We are now rolling out apparels for some of the top schools in Fiji –Ratu Navula and QVS and by Saturday we will have Jasper Williams, Adi Cakobau School, Suva Grammar School and all the other schools’ apparels,” he said.

“BLK, first of all in the international arena we are pretty well defined and established, anyone can relate BLK through our rugby sponsorship Super Rugby but when we come to the locals, people think that we are expensive brand.”

“So what we aim to do is to bridge the gap with our consumers and we have brought out some local designs first time ever we also have lifestyle vests that has Fiji printed on it the brand is for anyone and anyone can afford it,” Mr Gukisuva further said.

“But we don’t compromise on the quality.”

He said BLK had a team of research and development staff through which new innovative apparels were made.

What’s on today?

The BLK Namaka Nadi store will be commissioned by Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou at Namaka.

There will be a march and free health check-ups more of a mini carnival.

Mr Gukisuva says the prices of BLK products today will be as low as $5.

More over BLK will roll out its first ever Bula line by Coke Games confirmed Mr Gukisuva.

Currently BLK factory employs 15 local designers who Mr Gukisuva says act global but think local and that is how they are producing for the local market.

“BLK- Beyond Limits Known quality is second to nothing and that can only be felt when we make it affordable for people,” he stated.

Mr Gukisuva said idea to set up the store in Nadi was to establish in the growing market and the tourism industry.