Turkish retailer Colin’s makes play for the UK

The retailer, which has 600 stores at present and will have 650 in 32 countries by the end of this year, sells casualwear for men and women aged between 18 and 35.

Colin’s managing director Necati Ozdogan said the retailer will go up against competitors such as Jack & Jones, Republic and Cult when it launches in the UK.

The retailer, which expects to notch up turnover of $520m (£317.7m) by the end of this year, is in talks with landlords including Capital Shopping Centres about opening shops in this country.

Ozdogan said it is eyeing university towns and cities that “fit the brand”. Potential locations include London, Exeter, Nottingham, Cardiff, Reading, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Bath, Bristol and Southampton.

Colin’s will consider shopping centres and high streets for its stores, which will range in size from 2,690 sq ft to 4,845 sq ft.

Ozdogan said opening in the UK is an “integral part of our long-term objective of becoming a truly global brand”.

He said: “Any brand in the world without an operation in the UK or Europe cannot occupy a place in the world league of retailers.

“We have a long-term strategy for the UK. Over the next decade we would not be surprised to have in excess of 100 stores.”

Colin’s wants to have 1,200 stores across 50 countries in five years’ time as it continues its global expansion drive. It already has stores in countries including Albania, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Saudi Arabia and Macedonia.

The retailer was established in 1983 by the Erog˘lu family.