Reiss Goes Global

High street label Reiss is looking to expand its trend-led mens and womenswear ranges to international heights. The company is set to open a flagship store in London's west-end, as it propelling ahead for international recognition. The group, which so far operate 30 stores, has acquired the London College of Fashion Barrett Street property, which is located just East of Selfridges. The current building will be demolished to make way for a new 25,000 sq ft Reiss store and headquarters.

The acquisition comes as Reiss is gearing up to launch into international markets. The company recently stated: We could take 100 stores worldwide comfortably within the infrastructure we have." A 5,000 sq ft store will open in New York in March, with franchise stores set to open in Scandinavia and the Emirates. Reiss is also in talks to open franchises in Hong Kong and Japan. Reiss finance director Steven Downes dais that operating profit for the year to the end of January 2005 was £5.6 million on sales of £25.3m. He said that in the last quarter like-for-like sales were up 13 per cent.