Girls' gift retailer kick-starts UK expansion drive

An accessories and home decor retailer aimed at women and backed by the owners of Ciro Citterio will take on Girl Heaven and Accessorize as it expands in the UK.

Lifestyle of London sells mid-market fashion accessories, home decor and gifts, and plans stores nationwide. The first outlet opened in Harrow last year. A second has since opened in Watford, and 10 more are in the pipeline. 'It is a way of getting to critical mass quickly,' said chief operating officer Tony Woods.

Woods, a former Debenhams, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Sock Shop director, joined last month to lead a strategy review and drive expansion.