Oliver Bonas eyes its first overseas stores as Christmas sales rise

Oliver Bonas founder and managing director Oliver Tress told Retail Week he has been examining options regarding an overseas launch.

“There are so many different routes, so we will wait and see,” he said. “We’re having open conversations with people about going overseas. I would be surprised if we opened overseas this year. I think 2015 is the year, really.”

Tress said the fashion and homewares retailer’s strong performance over Christmas was driven by its gifting range. He added that the warm October had impacted its fashion sales but this was offset by the strong performance of its gift offer. 

Total sales surged 37% in the period from December 2 to December 29.

Tress said sales were boosted as more people stayed in London later this year than last year because Christmas fell on a Wednesday. The majority of Oliver Bonas’ 41 stores are located in the capital.

The retailer is planning to open up to 10 more UK stores this year and is further expanding outside its London base. Last year it opened stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Tress said: “Although, we’ve had our stores in Bristol and Cambridge for some time we’re now looking at opening in places like Oxford and Brighton.”

Meanwhile, Tress said he will be focusing on online this year, extending its furniture offer - which currently makes up 40% of its total online sales - and improving the search functionality so customers can browse gifts more easily.

Online currently comprises 7% of its total sales.