Principles Signs London Flagship

Principles has signed a flagship in Regent Street, London after Whistles pulled out of a deal for the unit. The former Bally store, which will trade over 2,000sq ft with a mezzanine floor, will open in the first week of November. The store is next to Karen Millen, whose parent company bought Whistles last year. Karen Millen signed the unit in May as a Whistles flagship but sold the lease on for reasons that are unclear.

Peter Davies, chief executive of Principles parent group Rubicon, has stated had been searching for a store for the last 12 months and was delighted to have found this one. He said: "It will be a real plus for us internally as well as in trading terms." Principles has 70 stores and 175 concessions.