Desigual seeks more West End sites after Regent Street success

The retailer, which has two standalone stores in the UK, is also in talks with landlords outside the capital about further expansion.

Desigual chief executive Manel Adell told Retail Week its Regent Street store was now one of its three top-performing standalone stores globally. He said that it was benefiting from a combination of locals and brand-savvy tourist shoppers.

He added that footfall at its Westfield London store was “below expectations” but he was confident of an eventual increase.

Earlier this month, Desigual opened its first concession in the Republic of Ireland in Arnotts’ youth-focused department store at Dublin’s Jervis Centre. Desigual has also launched a standalone store on Broadway in SoHo, New York.

Adell said that Desigual, which is known for its quirky, niche product, would fare well in most environments given its aspirational qualities. “Our proposition fits well in all markets and we are experiencing this in all our European markets”, he said. “We feel the UK and Ireland are responding.”

The retailer is looking for “premium sites” for standalone stores in most European cities and will open 30 stores across Europe this year.

In 2008, its turnover soared 80 per cent to E168m (£148.1m). For the first time more than half of its turn-over was generated internationally.

In the longer term, Desigual wants turnover to be split equally between Europe, Asia and the US.

➤ Arnotts’ long-established store on Dublin’s Henry Street is to introduce new brands for autumn/winter including Topshop, Mamas & Papas, Hobbs, Jaeger and Gerard Darel as part of a E10m (£8.8m) ground floor makeover.