BMB Geared For Expansion

BMB, the British concessions business retailer founded in 1894, currently operates with a turnover of GBP93m and is one of Britain's most successful fashion exporting companies. With brands such as Alexander Savile row, Jeff Banks, and Baracuta, their markets in the UK and Europe, US and Far East are expanding rapidly.

The UK business, who's retail partners include Selfridges, House of Fraser, Burton, Debenhams, Bhs and others, are targeted for aggressive expansion, as BMB is restructuring and expanding its holdings as a company which controls product through design, sourcing and logistics all the way to the shopfloor. The first step will be to launch Studio Jeff Banks womenswear into 21 selected Debenhams stores in September.

Diversification from men's formalwear into casualwear is also underway, the Baracuta label - best known for its iconic G9, blouson Harrington jackets, is to be relaunched as a major, premium brand for autumn/winter 2005. Baracuta won a UK Fashion Export Award for menswear on the strength of its licensing agreements in Italy and Japan. Kevin stone of sp Brands will be working with the BMB team on the re-positioning and the launch.

Overseas growth continues for Alexandre Savile row, which, with its royal Warrant and flagship stores in London's Savile row, BMB's premium brand. The is currently available at concessions in Selfridges and Marshal Fields in the US.