New Look suits menswear market

Value fashion retailer New Look could soon be wearing the trousers in the men's clothing market if a competitively priced suit range planned for the retailer's menswear offer takes off.

Managing director Phil Wrigley said three suits, priced 40 per cent cheaper than Next and 20 per cent less than Burton, would feature in the men's collection scheduled for launch in September.

The 10-store trial will take place in an area of the north Midlands that is yet to be announced. It will involve a full men's assortment, from casual through to formalwear, plus footwear and accessories.

Wrigley said the north Midlands area offers a 'good cluster of different store types', enabling the retailer to accurately assess how the test range fares in different markets before a national roll out is considered.

In last week's trading update, New Look reported like-for-like sales growth of 0.1 per cent in the seven weeks to July 12, a marked improvement on the previous eight weeks, when like-for-likes shrank 6.6 per cent because of low-priced skimpy summer fashions.

Chief executive Stephen Sunnucks was pleased with the improved trading performance, but highlighted 'continuing strong comparatives.' Sunnucks would not be drawn on the takeover talk stirred up by New Look founder and near 30 per cent stakeholder Tom Singh's decision to 'review his strategic options.'

New Look will unveil its Future Systems-designed Oxford Street flagship on August 21.