Fashion retailer River Island has unveiled plans to open five new flagship stores in 2018.
The fleet of new flagships could involve overhauling and extending existing stores, or opening completely new locations.
The first additional flagship is an upsized 26,000 sq ft unit within Landsec’s White Rose shopping centre in Leeds, which opened on April 14.
The new store incorporates the brand’s largest single-floor womenswear department in the UK.
The opening introduces customers to River Island’s new store concept, with an extended womenswear offering as well as larger children’s and menswear departments.
The flagship is also the first to feature a new range of in-store experiences the retailer has been developing, including a dedicated click and collect service centre and an in-store DJ concept.
The store design will allow professional DJs to set up in store, playing live sets during specific events.
“Our strategy is about being in the best locations, at the best retail and leisure schemes, and, boosted by on-going investment from Landsec, White Rose undoubtedly falls into that category, said Frances Baker, property director at River Island.
“We’re keen to continue to innovate the in-store experience we provide, and the success we’ve had at White Rose made it a perfect candidate for us to expand and showcase our latest products and in-store concepts to our customers,” she added.
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