Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Gilly Hicks to Join Hollister on Regent Street!
Abercrombie & Fitch acquired 83-97 Regent Street - originally occupied by National Geographic - back the summer of 2011, and it is now planning on dividing the location into two separate retail spots for its two brands. The Hollister store will occupy the left-hand half portion on the corner of Regent Street and Swallow Street. The Gilly Hicks store, meanwhile, will occupy the right-hand half. (Hopefully that gives you all a visual idea). We've got you a look at the ground floor plans which you can see (here).
Since the planned HCo location will be an EPIC flagship store, it could be possible that this upcoming GH location might be a flagship. If it is true, then that would make the GH Regent Street location the world's first Gilly Hicks flagship store. The location is, after all, on a prominent shopping street in central London - only flagships are given such spots. However, that GH Regent Street will be a flagship has not been confirmed and it is merely speculation on our part.
The HCo EPIC is planned to open in the first half of 2012 - likely sometime after March during the spring season. More-than-likely, Gilly Hicks will also open during that time frame if not on the same date (yet unknown). As reported in our Hollister on Regent Street...So Awesome It's Gonna be EPIC! post, tourism and consumer traffic will be increasing in London as anticipation mounts for the 2012 London Olympics. Thus, the openings of the HCo and GH locations will fall perfectly in time for when the city will be jammed with a greater increase of worldwide tourism - pretty important for international locations...
Overall, this will be huge for the Gilly Hicks brand! Hollister is a world-renowned brand which attracts massive consumer activity. Thus, by opening right beside the upcoming HCo EPIC flagship store in London, Gilly Hicks will be gaining attention that will carry its brand awareness to an even greater audience worldwide. The upcoming opening of this GH store furthermore shows the importance of the international market for the brand. And in terms of growth, the overseas markets have so far been offering opportunities that have been otherwise stagnant in the American home market. By the second half of 2012, Gilly Hicks will be operating three stores in the United Kingdom (two in greater London, one in Wales) and one in Germany. Those four international shops will help determine the future potential growth of Gilly Hicks...
Gilly Hicks on Regent Street is going to be totally amazing! The wonderful retail presentation, that is the romanticism of the Land of Down Undies, will be showcasing its beauty to the world in a perfectly stunning location! There are loads more details that are yet to be revealed and, as they leak out, you'll definitely be kept in the know here on The Sitch on Fitch!
Stay FIERCE!
UPDATE (5 April 2012): this Gilly Hicks location has been confirmed as the first GH flagship store! It will be opening doors on MAY 12! Read this for more info: Hollister and Gilly Hicks on Regent Street, London Opening May 12!!!
UPDATE (30 January 2012): The A&F London flagship on Savile Row has begun promoting the opening of HCo and GH on Regent Street. The locations will be opening in late-March!