Latest news with #JohnHargreaves
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Matalan plans big expansion with new stores and revamp
Matalan has announced a £25 million investment to expand and upgrade its UK stores, underscoring the brand's commitment to physical retail. The fashion and homeware chain will open 10 new and relocated stores this year, focusing on regions including London, Essex, Hampshire, and Northern Ireland. The company said that its physical shops remain "at the centre" of its transformation programme, with £25m also being spent on upgrading 30 existing locations. The refurbishments mean customers will see changes such as more defined departments, services like fitting rooms and tills relocated to a single area, and modernised checkout areas in some shops with faster self-service tills. Matalan also revealed it would be launching a new app for shopping and loyalty rewards. Newly-revamped stores in locations including Croydon, Bristol, and Dumfries have benefited from a stronger-than-expected jump in sales, the company said. Matalan has about 265 shops across the UK and overseas. It came under new ownership at the start of 2023 after a group of lenders took control from founder John Hargreaves, who set up the company in 1985. The group, led by Invesco, Man GLG, Napier Park and Tresidor, took the reins of the fashion business after it had launched a sales process. Matalan said it secured £25 million from its investors last month which it was using to fund the revamp of its store estate. James Dorling, Matalan's property director, said: "Matalan storefronts have been a fixture of UK communities for 40 years, so it is only right that bricks-and-mortar retail remains at the centre of our transformation programme. "With 10 exciting new store openings and extensive refurbishments across our estate, this investment marks a step-change in our strategy - creating a better, more seamless shopping experience for our loyal existing customers, while also introducing the Matalan brand to new consumers."
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Matalan to revamp store chain with new openings in £25 million investment
Matalan has unveiled plans to open new stores and refurbish shops across the UK as part of a £25 million investment into the fashion and homeware chain. The value retailer said physical shops remained 'at the centre' of its transformation programme. It is set to open 10 new and relocated stores this year, expanding in regions including London, Essex, Hampshire, and Northern Ireland. The investment will also go towards upgrading 30 existing shops across the country. The refurbishments mean customers will see changes such as more defined departments, services like fitting rooms and tills relocated to a single area, and modernised checkout areas in some shops with faster self-service tills. Matalan also revealed it would be launching a new app for shopping and loyalty rewards. Newly-revamped stores in locations including Croydon, Bristol, and Dumfries have benefited from a stronger-than-expected jump in sales, the company said. Matalan has about 265 shops across the UK and overseas. It came under new ownership at the start of 2023 after a group of lenders took control from founder John Hargreaves, who set up the company in 1985. The group, led by Invesco, Man GLG, Napier Park and Tresidor, took the reins of the fashion business after it had launched a sales process. Matalan said it secured £25 million from its investors last month which it was using to fund the revamp of its store estate. James Dorling, Matalan's property director, said: 'Matalan storefronts have been a fixture of UK communities for 40 years, so it is only right that bricks-and-mortar retail remains at the centre of our transformation programme. 'With 10 exciting new store openings and extensive refurbishments across our estate, this investment marks a step-change in our strategy – creating a better, more seamless shopping experience for our loyal existing customers, while also introducing the Matalan brand to new consumers.'
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
I'm 81 but I've no plans to retire yet' - Matalan worker of 40 years
A landmark store's longest-serving employee has said she has no plans to retire despite turning 81. Janice Robinson has worked at the clothing and homeware retailer Matalan's first store, on Holme Road in Bamber Bridge, Preston, ever since it opened in started as an assistant to its founder, John Hargreaves, before moving to said her favourite thing about her 40-year career had been helping customers find what they were looking for, adding she had "never" come close to leaving. Janice said: "When I first stepped in to see the first store, it was like an aircraft hanger and I thought, 'how are we going to fill this?' - but we did.""As it was a new company, they didn't know what to pay me, so I said £1.47 an hour and they rounded it up to £1.50."Four years later I got a rise and it went up to £2.23. I've still got the contracts."Others that work here say I should have said a bit more."Janice also still has the memorabilia handed out to advertise the opening of the store."All the big companies were allowed to come in at first and then eventually the public were allowed if they bought a card for £1," she said she started doing two mornings a week "because there wasn't really a lot to do"."Eventually I went up to five days a week," she said. "And I've done all sorts of hours over the years."Janice, who now works one day a week, said: "It's a pleasure to come to work"."I really enjoy coming and I've got so many friends here," she said. "Even people who've worked here and left, when they meet me in the street the first thing they say is 'are you still there?'"And she said customers were, on the whole, "really good". "So nothing's put us off yet," she added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
