As Blue Inc pushes the button on overseas expansion, Retail Week takes a look at the fast-growing chain.

What is it?

The retailer was founded as A Levy & Son in Walthamstow, London back in 1912 but rebranded as Mr Byrite in the sixties.  In the late 90s it rebadged again, as Blue Inc. The retailer now has 131 stores nationwide, although it is still heavily biased in the south east and London.  The value menswear specialist has been acquisitive of late buying rival Officers Club out of administration last March and 20 stores from collapsed jeans chain D2.

It has rebadged the D2 stores as Blue Inc but has continued to trade Officers Club, growing the initial 46 shops it acquired to a 64 store chain. It aims to further expand the chain in its north east and Scottish heartland where Blue Inc is under-represented.

There are now 195 stores across the group.

Who owns it?

Marlow Retail, an investment consortium led by Steven Cohen, who was formerly chief executive of First Sport, acquired Blue Inc in 2006, when it had just over 30 stores, from its founders the Levy family.  High profile backers including billionaire businessmen the Reuben brothers and former Marks & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose have ploughed capital into the fast-growing retailer. Rose became chairman of the retailer in June.

What do the likes of Sir Stuart bring to Blue Inc?

Rose undoubtedly brings a raft of experience of the clothing market and advice on how to manage its rapid expansion.  His appointment as chairman has heightened speculation that Blue Inc is to launch an IPO in the near future. Rose has a wealth of experience in running a listed company and could help to navigate what can be a tricky process for the retailer.

What’s next for the retailer?

Blue Inc is still understood to be mulling a float although Cohen insists it has no need to go public.  Recent market turmoil does not make conditions ideal to float with other retailers such as The Hut Group shelving IPO plans in the short term. However, with wealthy backers behind it, Blue Inc’s expansion is set to continue.  

It is planning to open another 10 Blue Inc stores this year as well as an additional five Officers Club shops. However, the big opportunity lies in growing the brand internationally. The retailer launched its first store in Kazakhstan in June and has plans afoot to enter the Ukraine and Baltic states this year and India next year.