Thursday, November 29, 2012

J.Crew Is Finally Opening in the UK Next Year {brilliant!}

"Thanks!" to Tabitha (in this post), who shared the following article from Telegraph's Fashion (click here to read in its entirety):
J.Crew to open first UK store on London’s Regent Street
By Bibby Sowray
November 29, 2012

We emitted a small squeak of joy when J.Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons confirmed back in February that the company were scouting locations for their first London store, and now they've finally confirmed just where it will be - 165 Regent Street.

"We've waited a long time for this," Millard "Mickey" Drexler, J.Crew's chairman and chief executive officer, told WWD . "It's the next chapter in our growth and our future. It's an important flagship location on arguably one of the most important streets in one of the most important locations in the world."

Slated to open in late 2013, not only will it be the brand's first UK store, it will be their first store outside of North America.

"We felt comfortable being there," Dexler said of their decision to make London their first overseas foothold. "We share the same language. We are not pioneers here. A lot of other [U.S. retailers] have been here and have been successful here. It's an incredibly important fashion city. London was an easy decision - it's a place where people understand and respect the integrity of great style and great design. But the first consideration was our customers. We've had a lot of visitors coming from London wishing they had a J.Crew in London. This was not a difficult decision."

Set over two levels, the 17,000-square-foot store, which used to be home to Burberry, will house two separate shops - one men's, one women's, each with their own entrance.

The announcement comes as the group revealed that net income rose 54 percent to £20.7 million ($33.2 million) in the third quarter ended Oct. 29, compared to £13.4 million ($21.6 million) in the same period last year.
Such exciting news! I think the location is perfect and they will be a massive hit. Plus, the store sounds huge. Lovely!

As an aside, net income for J.Crew rose 54% compared to last year... dayum! J.Crew is really doing well. Well done, J.Crew!

Are you excited about J.Crew's newest store in England? Do you think that Regent Street is a good spot for J.Crew?

9 comments:

  1. 'Each with their own entrance' - Saudi chic!

    That's a very impressive building they've taken over, I hope it pays off for them.

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    1. I see a lot of trips to London in your future. :)

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    2. Rose, it's cheaper for me to get to Paris! London is like going on holiday for us.

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  2. Hm, "net income rose 54%" -- after all those markdowns, sales and promos? What do we learn from this about JC's pricing structure? Another mystery that lurks behind Dear Leader's Wall of Corporate Silence?

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    Replies
    1. I thought the same thing! :) I did not want to write it but I was wondering how it was possible, then I thought maybe it was just my shopping habits that have decreased. Maybe all those promos and markdowns help them move merchandise?

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    2. they have more than 30% markup for all international orders, no wonder!

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    3. I think that because prices have gone so ridiculously high (while cutting every production cost possible) that even at a discount they're still making money hand over fist, while customers are left thinking they're getting a "good deal".

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  3. And still no store planned for Calgary?! Crazy.

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    Replies
    1. It's probably the most prosperous city in Canada from what I gather, and they have a lot of $$ to spend.

      I have also asked about Madewell in Vancouver. 'No plans yet' I've been told.

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