Major fashion retailers are aggressively expanding their physical store presence worldwide, driven by strategic growth opportunities.
- AllSaints leads the wave with new stores across the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, enhancing its global reach.
- JD Sports plans to open between 250-350 stores annually, aiming to dominate in underpenetrated markets.
- Primark continues its European and US expansion with small format stores, targeting significant market gaps.
- Mango, Sosandar, Lounge Underwear, Charles Tyrwhitt, Castore, and Mountain Warehouse also announce ambitious store openings.
In a bold move to broaden its global footprint, AllSaints is opening a series of new outlets in key markets such as the UK, US, Europe, and Asia. Among the new locations are stores in Liverpool One, London’s Brompton Road, Outletcity Metzingen, Germany, and Shanghai Village in China, aligning with their expansive international strategy.
As part of its strategic expansion under CEO Régis Schultz, JD Sports has laid out plans to boost its presence by opening 250 to 350 stores each year in untapped markets. High-profile openings include a revamped store in Westfield Stratford, a flagship in Paris’s Champs-Élysées, and a soon-to-be largest global site in Manchester’s Trafford Centre.
Primark, renowned for value fashion, is penetrating further into Europe and the US. It has introduced small format stores, like the recent Montijo outlet in Portugal, and another planned in Bolton, Greater Manchester. This expansion is expected to significantly contribute to the chain’s annual sales growth.
Mango is executing a strategic enhancement of its UK presence with over 20 new stores planned within the year, including new locations in London, Scotland, and its first ventures into Northern Ireland and central and southern England. Recent openings like the Gateshead Metrocentre and a teen-focused store off Carnaby Street reflect this growth.
Sosandar is transitioning from a successful online brand to establishing a physical presence, aiming to have up to 50 shops in the next few years. Initial store launches in locations such as Chelmsford, Marlow, Gateshead, and Cardiff follow a successful collaboration with a major supermarket chain.
Lounge Underwear makes its mark with plans to open eight stores within a year, building on their inaugural outing at London’s Westfield White City. Subsequent openings in Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol underline their shift from an online-only business model.
Charles Tyrwhitt, known for its premium shirts, recently opened a sizable store on London’s Regent Street. With aspirations to increase its retail footprint, the brand plans 10 more outlets over the next 18 months.
Since its inception in 2016, Castore has expanded to over 30 stores globally, emphasizing the importance of physical locations for brand building. Recent store openings include strategic sites in Milton Keynes, Derby, Leicester, Dublin, and Dubai Mall.
Mountain Warehouse, specialising in outdoor clothing, continues its substantial retail growth with 28 new stores in their last financial year and plans for up to 50 additional stores internationally. Recent expansions include larger sites within UK retail parks and their first store in Australia, Brisbane.
These strategic expansions underscore the fashion industry’s push to enhance physical retail presence globally.
