// Monsoon Accessorize founder says only 6-10 Monsoon stores will reopen after lockdown
// The rest of its store estate will be Accessorize – about 83 shops
Monsoon Accessorize founder Peter Simon has told BBC Radio 4 that of the 100 stores that are planned for reopening, only six to 10 of them will be Monsoon shops.
The news comes nearly two weeks after Simon re-acquired the fashion retail group’s brands, head office and distribution centre out of administration via a pre-pack deal.
Adena Brands Ltd, a company ultimately controlled by Simon, has since entered talks with the landlords to agree terms and save at least 100 stores out of its 230-strong estate.
READ MORE:
- Monsoon Accessorize: What went wrong?
- 545 job cuts as Peter Simon buys Monsoon Accessorize out of administration
Simon told Radio 4’s You and Yours programme today that of that 100 – up to 10 of them will be Monsoon stores while the others will Accessorize shops.
”Our intention is that there will be a few Monsoon stores,” Simon told Radio 4.
“In the end, there might be only six or 10 because we are going to be mainly an online brand.”
Monsoon Accessorize started to exit lockdown this week, with 12 stores reopening this week and plans for a further 20 each week until the end of July.
“What I can tell you is that we are going open more than we thought we would,” Simon said.
He added: “We have had great landlord support, which is why we’re able to open more.
“We will have more than 83 Accessorizes open. There isn’t really a direct competitor to Accessorize.
“It’s a lower price, has a wider appeal at airports and travel locations. It’s very versatile and really successful.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
