Crew Clothing has announced plans to open 40 stores over the next three years. Chief executive David Butler said: “We have to react to customer behaviour and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that people are shopping in stores again. Our footfall is back to pre-pandemic levels.” The clothing retailer saw a strong Christmas trading period thanks to online sales partnerships with John Lewis, Next and Very. The expansion will be focused in coastal resorts and market towns.
Holland & Barrett has partnered with WHSmith to open three concessions within WHSmith Travel stores. The concessions, located at Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport and London’s Euston station, offer a range of health and wellness products aimed at travellers. Holland & Barrett commercial growth director Lisa Tookey said: “Our aim is to test and learn through this pilot to understand how we might offer Holland & Barrett’s range of wellness products in travel locations in the future.”
Fashion retailer M&Co is set to close its entire store estate, comprising 170 stores. The brand appointed administrators for a second time last year, following an initial collapse in 2020. The brand and intellectual property have been bought by AK Retail Holdings, but the physical stores were not included.
House of Fraser is set to close its Cardiff store. The store is situated within the former Howells department store building, which House of Fraser bought in 1972 and rebranded in 2010. The closure marks the brand’s departure from Wales, following the closure of its last central London store at Westfield London last month. Investment company Thankeray bought the building last year and has announced plans for a mixed-use redevelopment on the site.