Carnaby Street will be UK first for Vans

Footwear and lifestyle fashion group Vans plans to open its first European full-priced store on London's Carnaby Street.

The 325 sq m shop will feature Vans footwear, apparel and accessories and the opening will bring the company's European presence to eight stores - all factory outlets until now. Vans runs 165 stores in total, mostly in the US, and distributes its product to retailers in more than 50 countries.

Chief executive officer Gary H Schoenfeld said: 'Carnaby Street has great heritage and fashion influence and represents an ideal platform for us to heighten our exposure.'

Vans generated sales of US$331.1 million (£207.4 million) for the past 12 months.