UK high street boost as top fashion brand to 'double store presence' this year

Despite dwindling shop numbers and an increasingly doomed high street – one major retailer has vowed to open more physical stores and double their numbers after huge success

A fashion brand has announced exciting plans (stock)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A major fashion brand could help revive the ‘doomed’ high street as it vows to ‘double’ their physical store presence this year.

Fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch claimed they want to open between eight and 10 new stores by the end of 2025 – which will double its current number, which stands at eight, with two in outlet villages. The fashion retailer employs around 100 people at the moment through its London head office. It has now been revealed it is eyeing locations in high street and shopping centre sites, including a new store on Kensington High Street.

Abercrombie & Fitch EMEA managing director Scott Clarke-Bryan told Drapers they’re hoping to expand after plenty of online success. Last month, it opened two new London stores, located at 325 Oxford Street near Bond Street station and at 132 Long Acre in Covent Garden.

The store will double its numbers (stock)(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Both locations house both its men’s and women’s collections, including its active wear brand, Your Personal Best (‘YPB’), and Best Dressed collection which focuses on occasion wear for men and women.

The retailer also operates stores on Edinburgh’s George Street, Manchester’s Trafford shopping centre, and London’s Carnaby Street, as well as locations in Battersea Power Station and Westfield London, with outlet stores in Ashford and Cheshire Oaks.

Abercrombie’s expansion does not stop at UK high streets, with them attempting to open physical stores in Germany. They have five stores, and in the Middle East, where it has two locations in Kuwait, six in the United Arab Emirates, two in Qatar, and four in Saudi Arabia.

The business said it was on course for a second consecutive year of double-digit sales growth. This was the first time in over a decade after years of declining sales.

Experts expressed concern about the state of the high street (stock)(Image: Getty Images)

Previously speaking to the Daily Star, entrepreneur, leadership mentor, and philanthropist Mike Greene warned of the doomed high street.

He said: “Retail is undergoing a seismic shift, and unfortunately, many stores have failed to evolve with changing consumer behaviour. People are increasingly shopping online, embracing technology, and being influenced by social media.

“Meanwhile, councils have made it harder for physical retail to thrive – charging more for parking, reducing access, and failing to support high streets.

“The reality is, online retail is open 24/7, 365 days a year, while many stores remain inaccessible when people actually need them. The harsh truth is that retailers that don’t adapt are facing the same fate as the dinosaurs.”

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