Celebration Box Defies Retail Headwinds as Kiwi Gifting Brand Continues to Grow

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND / ACCESS Newswire / January 27, 2026 /At a time when many New Zealand retailers are struggling to stay afloat, one homegrown gifting brand continues to stand out.

New Zealand retail remains under significant pressure. Fewer than half of retail businesses survive beyond five years, and recent industry surveys show many retailers remain uncertain about their future amid softer consumer spending and rising costs. Yet against this backdrop, Celebration Box continues to grow its presence as one of the country 's most recognisable online gifting brands.

Founded in 2018, Celebration Box has evolved from a social-media-led startup into a household name synonymous with gift boxes in New Zealand. What began as a simple idea - beautifully curated gift boxes delivered nationwide - has become a go-to destination for gifting across all occasions.

Originally launched by social media influencer Iyia Liu and business partner Briar Prestidge, the brand quickly gained traction through creative digital marketing and influencer collaborations. The concept resonated strongly with Kiwi consumers, driving rapid early growth and national awareness.

The business later entered a new phase under the ownership of Wayne and Melanie Kennerley, who brought operational scale, logistics expertise, and a renewed focus on value and accessibility. Under their leadership, Celebration Box expanded well beyond its original sweet-treat offering to include fresh flowers, baby shower gifts, gourmet gift baskets, and tailored corporate gifting solutions.

Today, Celebration Box is one of New Zealand 's most searched-for gifting brands online, outperforming generic search terms such as "gift box " - a rare achievement in a competitive e-commerce category.

"In just a few years, we 've gone from an Instagram-based startup to a brand people actively seek out when they want to send a gift, " says Wayne Kennerley, CEO of Celebration Box. "Our focus has always been on making great-value gifting easy and reliable, even as customer expectations and retail conditions continue to change. "

The brand also played a meaningful role during the COVID-19 period, helping Kiwis stay connected when physical distance made in-person celebrations impossible. That period reinforced the emotional importance of gifting and strengthened Celebration Box 's relationship with customers nationwide.

Community involvement remains central to the company 's values. Celebration Box actively supports a range of charities and initiatives, including the Under 18 NZ Netball Tournament, Star Jam, Life Education, Warriors Foundation League in Libraries, and the South Auckland Food Bank.

"Giving back is part of our DNA, " Kennerley adds. "Our communities have supported us from day one, and we 're committed to supporting causes that make a real difference. "

Celebration Box is owned by Kennerley Gourmet Grocery and sits alongside a portfolio of complementary gifting brands including The Wild Rose, The Gift Shop, and Hello & Cookie. Together, the group represents one of the largest combined food and floristry gifting operations in New Zealand.

For more information, visit www.celebrationbox.co.nz

Media Contact

Kennerly Group CEO: Wayne Kennerly
Email: wayne@kennerley.co.nz

SOURCE:The Kennerly Group

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

© 2026 ACCESS Newswire. All Rights Reserved.