Bench news and archive

Superdry&Co CEO on bringing back Bench for a new generation

British lifestyle brand Bench, which has deep roots in Manchester's music, skateboarding and BMX subcultures, is being revived for a new generation by Superdry&Co’s chief executive officer, Julian Dunkerton, with a little help from his daughter Kitty, who acted as a “sense check” for the new collection. “In the 90s, I was the largest retailer...

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Superdry & Co welcomes Bench back for a new generation

Bench defined an era. Now it resets the tone. Established in 1989 and shaped by late ’90s attitude, Bench returns with the details that made it iconic. Thumbholes, layered silhouettes, functional staples – reworked with cleaner cuts and sharper proportions. Archive references sit alongside new essentials, designed to be worn on repeat. This isn’...

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Gordon Brothers sells Bench to Apparel Brands Limited

US investor Gordon Brothers sold British streetwear brand Bench to fashion company Apparel Brands Limited. Wraith, an affiliate of Apparel Brands, bought the brand for an undisclosed amount. Apparel Brands Limited, currently one of Bench’s primary European licensees, has evolved into “the natural owner” of the brand, according to a statement by...

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Bench relaunches with Spring 2020 collection

Bench is returning to the European market after investor Gordon Brothers took over the brand rights following the streetwear brand’s bankruptcy last year. Bench unveiled its spring 2020 collection, which comprises around 300 pieces, at UK fashion trade show Pure London. Wholesale prices for t-shirts start from around 20 pounds and sweaters from...

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Bench to close all stores in Germany, Netherlands and Austria

British streetwear company Bench Limited has announced it is going to close its German subsidiary, Bench International GbmH, and its 14 stores in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, by mid-August. A total of 100 employees will be affected. The decision comes just weeks after the American advisory, restructuring and investment firm Gordon...

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Gordon Brothers acquires Bench’s intellectual property assets

Gordon Brothers, the global advisory, restructuring, and investment firm, has acquired the Bench brand and all of its related intellectual property assets, following the brand falling into administration in April. Bench, was founded in Manchester in 1989 and was hailed as one of the first streetwear fashion retailers holding a central position...

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Bench's IP assets go sale following administration

London - The intellectual property assets from British contemporary brand Bench have gone up for sale following its administration. Bench previously filed for administration on April 30, putting 176 jobs in the UK at risk, as well as 170 jobs within its German operations. Now joint administrators Kerry Bailey, Martha Thompson and Antony Nygate...

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Bench files for administration, putting 346 jobs at risk

London - Trading conditions remain challenging on the UK high street for fashion retailers as another brand is set to enter into administration. Fashion label Bench Limited has filed for the appointment of an administrator earlier this week, after failing to generate enough "liquidity" to continue. The impending insolvency is set to affect Bench...

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Bruno Sälzer steps down from the CEO role at Bench

After three years into the chief executive’s role at the German-British streetwear label Bench, Bruno Sälzer has decided to resign from the position to focus on his supervisory board mandates, reports German magazine Capital. The former CEO of Boss and Escada serves on the boards of Amer Sports, Lacoste and Deichmann. In fact, he has been the...

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Bench set to open new outlet

British fashion retailer Bench is set to open a new store in Manchester's Lowry Outlet, becoming the latest store to join the likes of M&S, Clarks and Next in setting up shop in MediaCityUK redeveloped docklands. Bench has signed a new, long-term lease for a 2,389 square foot retail unit which will offer its apparel collections and accessories...

Fairs

Pure London doubles menswear selection for July 2016

Contemporary fashion trade show, Pure London, has doubled the size of its menswear section following the debut of the section last season. Over 700 brands have joined the trade show line-up for July and Pure London has increased its menswear section by 1,500 square meters. Pure London Menswear will be showcasing collections from formal wear...

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Bench creates chief operating officer role

Apparel brand Bench has appointed Thomas Wölfle to the newly created role of chief operating officer. He will be responsible for the supply chain, operations and IT of the British street and sportswear retailer. Wölfle has many years of experience in process management across various industries, working in several senior management positions at...