Bandolera eyes retail growth

Dutch womenswear business Bandolera is gearing up for international retail expansion, after soaring sales across the eponymous brand and its younger casual brand Not The Same.

Bandolera, which wholesales to 40 countries including the UK, Russia and the US, said it planned to open up to 30 franchise and company-owned stores worldwide this year across the two brands. The company expects to grow this by up to 30 stores a year, reaching a portfolio of about 150 shops. It currently has 50 stores globally.

Martin Groenendijk, who sits on the supervisory board at Bandolera, said: "If you are successful with wholesale, why not start with retail? Retail gives the brand more exposure and boosts sales, but it takes some years to build up."

The brand said it would concentrate on expanding its retail operations in Belgium and Germany this year, while trialling new markets in areas including South Africa.

Groenendijk said he also had big plans for Not The Same, which offers younger, more casual styles, after sales rocketed 300% this season. There are four Not The Same stores in the Netherlands and Belgium, one in Northern Ireland and one in Turkey. There are plans to open four more this year.

Bandolera's sales rose to 52.7 million (£41.9m) last year, with profits of 5.1m (£4.05m).