Fashion retailers seek new pitches

RETAIL MARKET:TWO HIGH street fashion retailers, T M Lewin and La Senza, are looking to expand their trading operations in Ireland.

T M Lewin, a specialist in men's formal wear, opened its first store in Ireland on South Anne Street, Dublin 2, in 2005 and trades in Belfast also. It is looking to add further stores in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

T M Lewin was founded in 1898 when it opened a store on Jermyn Street in London and this is still in operation.

It now trades from 48 locations across the UK and Ireland, and recently opened its new format flagship store on Fenchurch Street in London.

La Senza, a lingerie and nightwear company, is planning to open 100 stores in the UK and Ireland over the next three years.

It has three stores in prominent shopping areas of Dublin - Grafton Street, Dundrum and Liffey Valley - as well as units in Mahon Point, Cork and Belfast, Ballymena and Derry in the North.

Its size requirement is between 232sq m (2,500sq ft) and 372sq m (4,000sq ft).

La Senza, a subsidiary of Limited Brands, also owns Victoria's Secret, one of the largest lingerie retailers in the world.

It has recently entered the leisure range market with a brand known as Lola Coca - described as "juicy couture at high street prices".

CB Richard Ellis is advising the two retailers.