Bureau embarks on national expansion

London stationery retailer Bureau is opening nine more UK shops in addition to its four existing stores, as part of a twelve month expansion plan.

Designed in-house, the retail concept was launched in December 1995 with a corporate identity by Rodney Fitch & Co.

“We are hoping to open another nine shops by March 2001, mostly in the South East, though we are open to anything,” says co-founder and marketing director Jo Irons. “We talked extensively to our staff about what they thought was working. The new shops have much of the same feel as the original outlet with the wooden flooring, but several units like gondolas, cupboard storage and counters have been redesigned.”

The chain is looking to make a bigger impression on the £1.5bn UK stationery market, but says expansion will be determined by new technology. Bureau is currently speaking to design consultancies about developing a corporate website.

Irons says: “Officially we are aiming to open 100 stores, but we are looking into how the Internet would effect that target. It might not be necessary to launch so many retail outlets if the Internet is successful.”