Café Jazbar chain to open retail outlets

Jazz FM owner Golden Rose Communications is expanding into the retail business, building on the success of its Café Jazbar branded jazz cafés.

The chain of retail outlets, which are likely to be known as Jazshops, will sell Jazz FM merchandise and CDs. The shops will be situated in or next to Café Jazbars and six of the combined outlets are expected to open within the next 12 months.

The interior designs will be based on the original merchandising areas built into the Café Jazbars by design consultancy Hattrell and Partners and Wolff Olins’ 3D department.

The retail chain is intended to boost Golden Rose’s business, making it more profitable than a stand-alone radio chain. The company also has a Jazz FM branded travel service in partnership with Thomas Cook and British Airways.

The company is struggling to compete with larger commercial radio players and believes that this series of extensions will boost the core brand and its balance sheets.