Retailers in Expansion Mode

Published by Chain Store Age

New York -- Retailers making headlines with store expansion plans for 2015 include a mix of global players as well as some familiar national brands. Here’s an update:

• Famed British toy retailer Hamleys is coming across the pond. The 225-year old company is looking at a multiple store roll-out throughout the United States. Hamleys, which has 49 stores across 17 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, is most famous for its seven-story location on Regent Street in London.
• British women’s activewear brand Sweaty Betty plans to expand its U.S. footprint, and has received a strategic growth investment from U.S. private equity firm Catterton to that end. It currently operates 40 plus stores in the United Kingdom, and two in the United States, where it recently launched a website.
• Fast-fashion giants H&M and Forever 21 are in full expansion mode. Forever 21 has plans to open 600 stores over the next three years; Swedish powerhouse H&M has committed to 400 global stores in 2015, with an emphasis on the United States and China.
• For GNC, 2015 is a year of expansion. The retailer plans to open 125 total net new domestic (including both company-owned and franchised stores), and approximately 30 net new GNC-Rite Aid store-within-a-store locations.
• Whole Foods Market has set itself an ambitious agenda for 2015 with 38 to 42 new store openings, and 200 store refreshes.
• Tractor Supply Company will open 110 to 115 stores and build a new Southwest distribution center, in Casa Grande, Arizona. Tractor Supply Company has increased its domestic store growth target to 2,500 stores from 2,100 stores.
• Fast-casual restaurant chain Newk's Eatery plans to open nearly 30 new corporate and franchised locations.

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