Retailer Laura Ashley is planning to double the size of existing stores in a bid to make more space for its home furnishing business.
The fashion to fabrics chain currently operates from stores of around 185.8 sq m (2,000 sq ft). Where possible it wants to add space by acquiring the neighbouring units or moving to larger stores.
A spokeswoman for the chain said the company was looking to expand it furnishing business and larger stores enabled merchandise to be better displayed.
The move is in line with Laura Ashley’s recent policy of opening much larger superstore-type outlets. The biggest ever opened last weekend in Atlanta, USA, at 1393.5 sq m (15,000 sq ft). Now three more similar, but smaller outlets will open this autumn in the UK, while a fourth is set to begin trading in East Kilbride, to the south of Glasgow ,next May.
A 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft) store will open in Gateshead on September 18; a 557.4 sq m (6,000 sq ft) outlet is set to begin trading in the centre of Cardiff on October 4; and a 789.7 sq m (8,500 sq ft) unit will open in Warrington on November 23. The Scottish outlet will also be of the larger size, but the spokeswoman could not confirm the exact space expected
The spokeswoman would not reveal which locations were being targeted first for expansion.
EGi News 03/09/96
