July 29, 2011
Banana Republic is to open its first store in the north after signing for a unit within Capital Shopping Centres’ The Trafford Centre in Manchester.
The American company, which is owned by Gap Inc., will open a 9,000 sq ft store with a mezzanine close to Selfridges, Pandora, Radley and Apple. The new store is due to open in early September.
Banana Republic currently has six stores in the UK, five of which are within the M25 area and one in Bath. It opened its first UK store on London’s Regent Street in 2008.
Banana Republic is a global accessible luxury brand that delivers modern, soulful and effortless style. Banana Republic’s lifestyle collections are characterised by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices. Banana Republic collections include apparel, handbags, jewellery, fragrance and eyewear.
Julian Wilkinson, property director, CSC Trafford, said: “Having Banana Republic choose the Trafford Centre for its first store in the north is fantastic news. The brand is key to our letting strategy of attracting quality retailers that offer a point of difference for our shoppers.”
The Banana Republic deal follows a number of recent key fashion openings for the Trafford Centre which include VANS and Lacoste.
Cushman & Wakefield acted for The Trafford Centre. Banana Republic represented itself.