Italian fashion retailer Stefanel is eyeing an expansion in the UK and Irelend through the opening of around 15 franchise stores.
The womenswear brand is currently collaborating with franchise consultant Peter Danby, to find potential franchisees, as well as retail property advisors Tienda for the locations of these franchise stores.
Stefanel is reportedly looking to open the franchises in Canterbury, Windsor, Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge, York, Harrogate, Dublin and Bath.
“We want aspirational areas that will suit the mid to premium offer,” said Hugo Deane, director of Stefanal‘s UK distributor Love Brands.
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“We believe there are 10 to 15 store opportunities across the UK and Ireland but we‘ll have to see how it goes.
“We plan on opening three or four stores within the next 12 months.”
Stefanel currently trades online and in two standalone stores in London‘s Regent Street and Covent Garden. It also has seven House of Fraser concessions in Richmond, Croydon, Guildford, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool and the Oxford Street flagship.
Worldwide, Stefanel has 400 retail and franchise stores.
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