Cotton Traders plans launch of first high street store

Rugby clothing brand Cotton Traders is to launch its first high street store this month, the first of up to 30 stores.

The new shop, at Basingstoke in Hampshire, will add to 25 existing outlet stores used to clear catalogue product.

Cotton Traders’ first full-price stores opened in Gatwick and Manchester Airports this year.

Cotton Traders retail director Nick Hamblin said: ‘We’ve been thinking about the high street for some time, but being a mail order company, were worried that we didn’t have the breadth of offer to sustain high street stores.’ He added the success of the outlet stores and recent product extensions has given the company the confidence to move.

Cotton Traders was founded by ex-England rugby captains Fran Cotton and Steve Smith.

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