Jane Norman expands aggressively

Following a boost in sales, British young fashion chain Jane Norman is to expand with up to 30 store openings a year. The chain, which operates 50 stores and 84 concessions, reported a rise in like-for-like sales of 11 percent since the beginning of April this year. Total sales leaped 35 percent despite strong comparables. The 30 outlets-a-year strategy will be split between stand-alone stores and concessions, the company's financial director Ian Findlay told Drapers. "The number of Jane Norman standalones is relatively small compared with our rivals. To build the brand it's important to have a good network of stores," he said. The company will look to towns like Cardiff and Oxford for store locations.

The company - which is backed by Icelandic retail group Baugur after it backed the retailer's management buyout last July- plans to launch lingerie for spring 2007 and footwear for fall 2007. Chief executive Saj Shah also said there are plans to open in overseas markets next year, including Holland , the Middle East and northern Europe . Company executives could not be reached for comment on these plans. However, the chain did open its first international concession in Debenhams in Reykjavik this August and also opened a concession in the Danish department store Illum in Copenhagen .