US fashion giant American Eagle is poised to sign for three London stores as part of an assault on the UK market.
American Eagle, which has more than 1,000 stores in the US, has shops under offer in Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City and Bluewater. They could open as early as next summer, sources told Retail Week.
It is thought American Eagle intends to cater for customers right across the capital, and is said to be eyeing a store in Brent Cross in north London. Sources told Retail Week it also plans to extend its reach beyond London and is thought to be considering a store in Birmingham’s Bullring.
The US fashion retailer’s UK launch has been the subject of much speculation. American Eagle would join other US fashion retailers to have launched in the UK in recent years. J Crew opened its first UK store in November in London, while Forever 21 opened its first UK store in the Bullring in 2010.
US homewares giant Williams-Sonoma opened its first UK store last week under its West Elm fascia, on Tottenham Court Road.
American Eagle offers mid-market fashion targeted at a younger audience. It has 55 overseas franchise stores in 14 countries, including China, Egypt and Israel.
American Eagle’s sales in the 53 weeks to February 2,2013 were $3.48bn (£2.14bn) from $3.12bn in 2012 (£1.92m).
Harper Dennis Hobbs acts for American Eagle.
All parties declined to comment or could not be reached.
5 Readers' comments