Monsoon is to open its first dedicated childrenswear boutique next week, as part of plans to expand its store network.
The opening of the new Monsoon Children boutique at Westfield, Stratford City on March 1, comes alongside a rebranding of Monsoon online presence. It also comes in Monsoon’s 50th anniversary year.
“It’s a thrilling milestone for Monsoon Children to be opening a new concept store in Westfield, Stratford City,” says Sara Maton, head of buying at Monsoon Children. “We are also excited to meet our customers in a new, bold design-led environment.”
In the autumn, Monsoon, ranked Top500 in RXUK Top500 research, will launch a new casual childrenswear brand Monsoon Mini.
Nick Stowe, chief executive of Monsoon Accessorize, says: “Monsoon Children has been thriving both in terms of its own evolution but also in terms of customer demand. The launch of its inaugural dedicated boutique is the natural net step in its progression and I am really excited to see it continue to expand from here.”
The opening marks the latest in a series of new stores, following new Monsoon stores that opened in Bath and Edinburgh in the autumn, and in Cambridge last month. They fit with plans set out at the time of its 2022 full year results by parent company Adena Brands, which is chaired by Monsoon founder Peter Simon and bought the retailer out of administration in 2020, to open 22 new stores in the current financial year. Digital transformation and store renewal are at the heart of its strategy.
Adena Brands, which also owns East and Accessorise, turned over £258m in the year to August 31 2022 – 43% up on the previous year. Earnings before interest, tax and one-off costs came in at £24.4m.
• Elsewhere, Lyle & Scott, ranked Top350 in RXUK Top500 research, is to take its childrenswear business in-house as part of the 149-year-old lifestyle brand’s global growth plan.
Lyle & Scott chief executive Philip Oldham says: “The time is right for us to build on the brilliant work our licensing partner BMG has done in transforming Lyle & Scott kidswear over the last seven years. BMG has nurtured and allowed our brand to prosper in this sector and we are grateful for its hard work and dedication. As Lyle & Scott’s global presence expands, now is a perfect time for us to pick up the mantle and really push for Lyle & Scott kidswear to cover the rest of the globe”
