The Original Factory Shop continues to assert its position as the UK’s leading community and value, brand led retailer as it announces plans to increase its number of store openings this year, against the backdrop of tough times in retail.
The multi-department discount store plans on investing in at least 16 stores in the next three months, in a move that will create up to 160 jobs across the UK. The roles will include store manager, supervisor and sales colleague jobs.
The company plans to expand its presence on major high streets and to offer customers more product choice. A number of stores will take over former sites occupied by M&Co. As part of its strategy the business is investing in premium fixtures and fittings as well as introducing member prices for TOFS Club and App members.
Phil Briggs, managing director for The Original Factory Shop, says: “Our investment in new store openings is about making sure we have the right stores in the right place. We’re identifying catchments where The Original Factory Shop is not represented and that includes a focus on high streets in major towns.”
“Our growth is testament to the importance of multi-department stores and the roles they play in helping local communities. These openings will help provide more job opportunities at a time when they are most needed.”
Delivering great choice and value is also at the heart of The Original Factory Shop’s business model. The Original Factory Shop continues to invest in leading household brand names across a range of clothing, homewares, FMCG and beauty categories and this means it has stock from the likes of Adidas, Nike, Clinique, Olay, Ralph Lauren, Converse, Hugo Boss and Emporio Armani These all benefit from an emphasis on having highly desirable product ranges that can be up to 70% off the RRP.
The Original Factory Shop currently has 185 department stores which operate in small towns with an average population of c.10,000.
The stores include:
- Kirkintilloch which opens on the 24th August
- Stonehaven which opens on the 31st August
- Blandford Forum which opens on the 31st August
- Haddington which opens on the 7th September
- Wetherby which opens on the 7th September
- Nairn which opens on the 14th September
- Ashbourne which opens on the 14th September
- Castle Douglas which opens on the 21st September
- Penrith which opens on the 21st September
- Inverness which opens on the 28th September
- Attleborough which opens on the 28th September
- Ayr which opens on the 5th October
- Ringwood which opens on the 5th October
- Perth which opens on the 12th October
- Lanark which opens on the 19th October
- Peterhead which opens on the 26th October
