New Look updates logo and reduces lead times

Value fashion retailer New Look will introduce a series of business changes this year, including a new logo for the first time in 30 years.

Other plans include the opening of New Look's biggest store - on London's Oxford Street - new product categories and the further reduction of lead-times.

Managing director Phil Wrigley said New Look has just signed up the 1,395 sq m Oxford Street shop - the largest by 280 sq m - which will open in the summer or early autumn.

The flagship store will have a bespoke design and be used to showcase new product categories expected to arrive in the autumn. Wrigley said New Look is testing customer interest in a variety of categories, which he would not reveal.

The new logo will appear on storefronts and all labelling over the next five months. 'We're moving forward as a fashion brand and away from the discount image New Look had got tarnished with,' he said.

Logistics director Alan Osborne said the retailer expects to improve the average lead-time of six weeks during the year.

New Look has already made improvements, supported by the introduction of a£16 million Retek system that was completed last year.

Osborne said gains of four to five days on existing lead-times in some product areas will be made with the introduction of cross-docking later this year.

The approach could also cut costs, with more post-production work done earlier in the supply chain.