Clothing brands shop for new stores in boost for capital ahead of London Fashion Week
A host of clothing and accessories brands are on the hunt for stores in the capital with many aiming to “raise their profile on the international stage”, property agents said ahead of London Fashion Week starting.
Designers, retail buyers, A-list stars and influencers will gather from Friday 16 February until next Tuesday to celebrate the event's 40th anniversary, and watch catwalk shows and presentations.
Property consultancy Savills said it is closely tracking 37 brands with active requirements for new or additional sites here. Of those 15 would be making their London standalone store debut.
The company added that total new entrants that opened London sites in 2023 was 19, a dip on the 24 recorded in the 12 months prior.
Marie Hickey, director of commercial research at Savills said: “London continues to uphold its status as a global fashion hub, drawing in high levels of tourism and spend despite the absence of tax-free shopping. Brands are recognising the importance of having a presence in the capital, even as part of an omnichannel strategy, as it raises their profile on the international stage.”
She added: “We expect levels of demand to continue, with store costs down significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels."
Colliers has also reported good momentum around real estate searches. It has seen requirements for fashion and accessories brands tracking the same level as 2023, and up 20% on 2022.
Paul Souber, head of London Retail at Colliers: "London Fashion Week has long cemented the capital's reputation as a home for luxury brands and our demand tracker shows that appetite for space continues to grow."
Businesses that have in recent months welcomed shoppers to new sites include upmarket sleepwear and loungewear label Derek Rose on Marylebone High Street, and menswear group Hackett on New Bond Street.
The Evening Standard in December looked at ten examples of fashion and beauty brands investing in London branches in 2023.
