Redjacket still on board for Virgin Clothing stores

Fashion stores dedicated to the fledgling Virgin Clothing brand are still planned, using a store format created by retail design specialist Redjacket, says Virgin Clothing chief executive officer Simon Glasgow.

Any standalone stores will be operated in conjunction with an experienced retail partner, says Glasgow. The group was previously believed to have dropped plans for the standalone stores after opposition from independent stockists (DW 24 July).

But discussions with around half a dozen possible retail partners are under way, says Glasgow.

He says a store opening is unlikely for at least a year, as the brand builds the reputation necessary for retailers to make such a sizeable commitment.

“We don’t want to see stockists doing really well and then open next door,” he says of opposition to the plan, but confirms the stores are still in the pipeline.

The store concept developed by Redjacket is still the one used in planning and discussions, says Glasgow.

“As far as I’m concerned, Redjacket is the nominated supplier,” he says.