Baird Group appoints Savills to spearhead store expansion

The menswear business, which owns brands such as Suit Direct, and is a licensee of brands such as Ben Sherman, which has an estate of 47 stores and said it would work with Savills to “acquire new full-price and discount stores” in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

The retailer said it would initially focus on expanding the store estates for Ben Sherman and Suit Direct.

Ben Sherman has 16 concept and outlet stores in the UK, and four other stores in Germany, the Netherlands and France. Suit Direct has 25 stores in the UK.

Baird Group chief financial officer at Nick Scott said: “After an extensive search for the right real estate partner to assist in our pursuit of profitably growing our business across the UK and Europe, Savills local and international experience mixed with their passionate attitude made the choice really simple.

“We are really pleased to have the assistance of true professionals in their field and they are already adding significant value to our business.”

Savills associate director of the retail team Josh Howe said: “We’re delighted to have been to appointed by Baird Group to grow their retail portfolio in both the UK and overseas at a time when many retailers are slowing down their store expansions. The Baird Group brands are synonymous with men’s fashion and we look forward to working with the group to bring these brands to new markets throughout Europe.”