One of the trendiest and fastest growing international fashion brands has chosen Swansea to open its newest store.
Superdry, which has seen an explosion in sales and profits over the last 12 months, is converting two units in the Quadrant Shopping Centre to open what will be only its second outlet in Wales.
Allan Wallace, Quadrant centre manager, said: “This is a very big chain, growing all the time, and we’re very pleased to have secured them as our latest tenants.”
With at least 16 million people a year pouring through the Quadrant centre, Superdry Swansea expects to make a significant contribution for owners SuperGroup plc who posted a staggering 86.9% jump in total sales to £81.7m for its third quarter to January 30, driven by strong underlying revenues and new store openings.
Mr Wallace says the company is converting the former Oasis and Fusion stores into one to give it a 2,700 sqft ground floor sales area, with upstairs for storage and staff facilities. About 10 new jobs will be created.
UK fashion retailer SuperGroup was founded in 1985 and has since been developed to design and sell a wide range of premium clothing under its flagship brand, Superdry, together with other own brands and a number of third-party products which are sold in its Cult stores.
Among its current 59 stand-alone Cult and Superdry stores, there is a Cult store in Cardiff. Many of its outlets are in university cities.
There are 69 concessions and a growing wholesale operation. Its products are sold in over 70 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas via a network of distributors, licensees, agents and franchisees.
The fast-growing group floated on the Stock Exchange in March 2010. The Quadrant will be only their second store in Wales, the Cult store in St David’s Centre Cardiff, is one of their star performers which broke all records when it opened over a year ago.
Superdry says its clothing is “inspired by Japanese design influences with vintage Americana style”. Its other own brands are 77Breed and SurfCo California, although Superdry brand now dominates the Group’s retail sales.
Julian Dunkerton, CEO of Supergroup Plc said: “This is an exciting time for us and it is great to be opening another store in Wales. Swansea is a cool city and The Quadrant a busy and attractive retail centre.
“A lot of hard work and creativity have gone into the store’s design and fitting out and I hope that it will be as successful as our others.”
With the arrival of Superdry, The Quadrant’s 36 shopping units will all be full, with just two units temporarily in possession of the city council while work is completed on the city centre bus station revamp.
“There tends to be some gloomy pictures painted of retailing and whether or not the public are coping with things like rising fuel costs, but we never have units empty for long,” said Mr Wallace.
“The two units which will be returned to us by the council after the bus station work is complete will undoubtedly be more attractive and we have had a number of enquiries and I believe they will be let in a reasonably short time.”
Quadrant will also benefit hugely by the arrival in April of market-leaders Experian, who will be responsible for collecting and analysing data on how many visit the centre – so-called footfall figures.
City Centre Manager Lisa Wells added: “The opening of a Superdry store in the Quadrant Shopping Centre is exciting news for Swansea City Centre.
“Superdry is an extremely popular brand and the news has been met with much local excitement.
“The new opening will complement the range and quality of shops that are already available in the City Centre and this together with the recent completion of the new Swansea City Bus Station will provide another reason to shop and visit Swansea.”
