Skims, founded by Kim Kardashian, is negotiating the acquisition of a prime retail location in London.
- The former Ted Baker site on Regent Street has been vacant since August, after Ted Baker closed its UK stores.
- Should the deal be finalised, it would mark Skims’ inaugural physical store in the UK.
- Skims’ growing global presence includes partners like Harrods and Selfridges in the UK.
- The brand, valued at £3.1 billion, continues to expand internationally with new stores in the pipeline.
Skims, a shapewear brand established by Kim Kardashian, is reportedly exploring the acquisition of a significant retail property in London. The location in question is the former flagship store of Ted Baker on Regent Street, a prime shopping destination. This site has been vacant since August when Ted Baker decided to shutter its remaining UK outlets.
The potential deal signifies a strategic move for Skims, as the brand seeks to establish its first physical presence in the United Kingdom. Until now, Skims has primarily operated through partnerships with major department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, and End Clothing within the UK. Globally, the brand’s products are also available at renowned locations like Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Brown Thomas in Dublin.
Since its inception in 2019, Skims has gained considerable popularity and opened its first permanent store in Washington, DC, earlier this year. The expansion plans do not stop there; additional locations are expected to open across the United States in regions including Florida, Texas, and Georgia.
Furthermore, the brand’s valuation reached approximately £3.1 billion following a successful funding round in 2023, highlighting its rapid growth and increasing influence in the shapewear and fashion industry. Earlier in the year, Skims also ventured into menswear with a pop-up in London’s Soho district.
As Skims continues to enhance its global footprint, the Regent Street store could serve as an important entry point into the European retail market, further diversifying its consumer base and expanding its brand reach.
Skims’ potential expansion into Regent Street underscores its ambitions for UK market presence.
