The Toot Group has Auckland shoppers in a frenzy at the High Street Lucky Christmas Shop

The Toot Group and The High St. Guild – a collective of High Street retailers, bars, restaurants and hoteliers – transformed 33 High Street (formerly The Box nightclub) into an enchanted forest with sights, smells and sounds that will transport shoppers from the hectic hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. Waiting to be discovered within the forest is an amazing range of mystery gifts – a lucky dip concept with a stylish difference for the ultimate in hassle-free gift-buying.

There’s been an overwhelming response from Auckland’s shoppers for theHigh St. Lucky Christmas Shop since opening last week with somecustomers leaving the shop with six-twelve gifts.  All gifts are alreadywrapped, so the surprise is in the giving. All proceeds from go to theCity Mission.

“The Lucky Christmas Shop is the first initiative from the High St. Guild. The idea’s really caught on – mostly through word of mouth. The fantastic support from the businesses in the district demonstrates the spirit is alive and well in district,” said Cleve Cameron, for The Toot Group, which recently won the account in a competitive pitch.

Some of New Zealand’s top fashion houses and retailers from the High Street district, including founding High St. Guild members Workshop, Zambesi, Hotel DeBrett, Cassette #9, Pauanesia and Rakinos, have donated a wide range of mystery gifts to the store, which runs through until Christmas Eve.

Shoppers can choose beautifully-wrapped gifts for males and females ranging from $20 to $100 – and all are guaranteed to truly exceed expectations.

Chris Cherry from Workshop explained, “Lucky shoppers will be able to get their hands on some spectacular surprise gifts, such as first-class accommodation from Hotel deBrett and Metropolis, driver training experiences courtesy of BMW, Tom Ford spectacles from Mortimer Hirst – and of course incredible fashion from some of New Zealand’s greatest design houses including Zambesi, Crane Bros, Working Style, Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester and Helen Cherry.”

The High St. Lucky Christmas Shop is the first of several activities planned by the High St. Guild to excite Aucklanders’ passion for the High Street District – more will be revealed throughout 2011.

“The High St. Guild has been created to reignite Aucklanders’ passion for High Street – we want to celebrate the joys of living and working in the inner city and promote High St as not only the ultimate shopping district but as the social and cultural heart of Auckland,” said Cherry.