Austrian luxury apparel retailer Wolford is to embark on an ambitious expansion programme across the UK and Ireland.

The retailer, which has just two stores in the UK, is understood to have appointed property agency Harper Dennis Hobbs to search for new sites.

The number of stores has yet to be decided, but it is searching for shops between 860 and 1,615 sq ft in several areas across London.

It is also eyeing metropolitan centres including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Belfast. In Ireland, it has so far been examining opportunities in Dublin and Dundrum shopping centre.

Wolford, famed for its lingerie and swimwear, also stocks womens-, menswear and accessories. Its UK stores are in South Molton Street in London and Bluewater shopping centre in Kent. It also has a shop-in-shop at London department store Harrods.

The retailer has operations in European markets including the Netherlands, Scandinavia, France, Spain, Italy and Germany, as well as a presence in Eastern Europe and Asia.