Lombok opens pop-up shop in wealthy St Albans to cash in on Christmas spend

The retailer, which was bought out of pre-pack administration last year by private equity firm Privet Capital, said the temporary store fitted in with its “cautious approach to expansion”.

Managing director Stuart Lewis said: “It’s an ideal opportunity to have a shop in a target area, to showcase our best-selling products in the Christmas period.”

The store, on Christopher’s Place, will be open for 12 weeks. It covers 3,100 sq ft over two floors and sells the full accessories offer and best-selling furniture lines.

Lewis said: “It’s a first for Lombok. It’s an exciting time to try something different. If it’s successful we will look to capitalise on

the opportunity. We can serve customers we haven’t been able to serve before.”

He said St Albans was a target area due to its affluent catchment.

Lewis, who was appointed in August after William Landale stood down to take up a non-executive position, said the retailer was still looking at opening permanent stores. It has 12 stores currently.

Lewis said the retailer was trading “double digit” up on a like-for-like basis year on year. “There has been a lot of discount activity going on in the market but we’re still up,” said Lewis. “Everybody is keen to pull as much trade as possible in before Christmas.”

Property agent CB Richard Ellis acted for the retailer.