US licensed sports retailer, Lids has arrived in the UK as part of an ambitious expansion plan across Europe.
The company has revealed plans for four retail locations in London, Essex and Brighton. The first store is open now and is located in Neal Street, Covent Garden and sells officially licensed MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and footwear gear, as well as items from go-to brands including adidas, New Era Cap, ’47, Mitchell & Ness, Hurley, Oakley, Local Crowns and more.
Each store will also feature Lids’ signature Custom Zones, which allows consumers the opportunity to custom embroider a hat or apparel piece of their choice in-store, including from the retailer’s numerous options of player numbers and autographs..
The second store at O2 Peninsula Square is expected to open within a few days, and will be followed by outlets at Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex and the Churchil Square Shopping Centre in Brighton later on this month.
The projection is that Lids will have 20 stores in the UK by the end of 2022, stated president Britten Maughan.
The international roll out is part of a strategic growth plan by Lids’ majority owner, Ames Watson.
The expansion into the UK is strategic from Lids as the retailer looks to further expand its international footprint moving forward.
“London is a natural fit for Lids,” commented Britten Maughan, president of Lids. “The enthusiasm for both American sports and street wear aligns with our on-field and fashion focused hat and jersey assortment. We are excited to bring our brand and product to market.”
The London store openings are the first of many planned from Lids heading into 2022 as the retailer looks to double down on its global footprint.
Tom Ripley, chairman and ceo of Ames Watson, continued: “Lids has become one of the strongest retailers in North America and we’re thrilled to take this growth internationally as we look to open 100+ standalone Lids stores in new markets.
“There has already been great success with the London NBA store operated by Lids since its grand opening earlier this year, and we are excited to introduce standalone Lids stores to an even larger audience of British customers.”
To date, Lids operates nearly 2,000 stores throughout the US and Canada including through its ongoing retail partnerships with Macy’s and Designer Brands. Lids also operates the newly opened National Hockey League (NHL) flagship store in New York, as well as the National Basketball Association (NBA) flagship stores in New York and London.
Lids is the world’s largest retailer specialising in the sale of officially licensed and branded headwear with over 30 million hats sold annually.
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