Value fashion retailer Select is embarking on an aggressive expansion push as it aims to more than double its store portfolio to 300 over the next three to five years.

Select

The 128-store retailer will open the first of 30 planned stores this year at Westfield Stratford, where it will open a 2,500 sq ft store next month.

The opening will be followed by more stores at the Metro Centre in Gateshead and a store in Cambridge at a time when many retailers are putting the brakes on expansion.

Managing director David Pidgeon has not ruled out acquiring some of rival Peacocks’ stores, which collapsed into administration yesterday (Wednesday).

As well as store expansion, Select will be focusing on developing its online offer, adding features including a recommendation tool and improved usability.

Pidgeon said the retailer aims for its online shop to be one of its best-performing stores.

The expansion comes as Select reported like-for-like sales over the six weeks to January 7 up 17.1%. Total sales surged 40.2%.