Desigual enters House of Fraser

Spanish young fashion business Desigual is teaming up with department store House of Fraser to expand its retail presence in the UK.

Desigual launched a flagship store on London's Regent Street 18 months ago, and this autumn will open concessions in seven House of Fraser stores in Manchester, Birmingham, Gateshead, Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, Bath, Milton Keynes and Croydon in Surrey.

Chief executive Manel Adell told Drapers that the company is also in talks about opening a store in London's Covent Garden. A 6,000sq ft store in the Westfield London scheme in White City will open in October.

He added that the brand was also talking to Selfridges about going into its London store for autumn 09.

Desigual has 150 UK department store and independent stockists for its men's and women's young fashion range.

Adell said Desigual's target shoppers were aged between 15 and 55, and added that he was "quite happy" with the Regent Street store's performance. "It is trading well and improving. People didn't really know about us when we arrived but there is more awareness now," he said.

Desigual has 3,000 stockists worldwide and 70 stores in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK. Its turnover for 2007 was €84 million (£67.1m).