The bargain fashion chain originated as a Zara outlet in the 1990s.
Our high street has had its ups and downs this year. However, there’s some more good news, as one European fashion brand is set to make its UK debut next year.
Budget Spanish clothing company Lefties, which originated as a Zara outlet, currently operates across 18 countries that includes the likes of Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Italy, Romania, Turkey and Qatar.
However, it looks to be expanding, with the retailer’s owner the Inditex Group, the parent company of Zara, Bershka and Pull&Bear, said to be mulling at least four locations for stores in the UK.
While there have been no specific plans announced yet, Inditex is said to be considering sites at Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre, Essex’s Lakeside shopping centre and London’s Westfield and Oxford Street, reports the Retail Gazette.
Since Lefties specialises in on-trend clothing at affordable prices, the move could mean that the chain may rival another budget fashion retailer on the UK high street – Primark.
Billed as one of the main bargain fashion companies in Spain and internationally, the clothing firm says that it offers clothing, footwear and accessories that are “aimed at all types of people and all ages.”
The potential UK expansion for the company was initially announced in June, with the Inditex Group said to be targeting 30,000sq ft flagship units in shopping centres.
Founded in the 1990s, Lefties originally started off a store for leftovers from fellow Spanish fashion house Zara, but has since evolved into a retailer in its own right.
Now said to operate at least 200 stores, the fashion company expanded into an online presence in 2020, another feature that could see it rival Primark, as the fast-fashion chain does not yet branched out into online shopping.
It comes after we recently reported on the first Primark closure in over a decade, with the budget retailer set to be closing down its site based in the Orchard Shopping Centre in Dartford next year.
According to the firm, the decision to close the store came after “careful consideration” as the building it is located in is due to undergo “significant” repair work, leaving 53 jobs at risk.
News of the potential UK stores next year would mark another exciting opening for our high street that has witnessed multiple closures this year.
The past few months alone has seen Poundland, The Original Factory Shop and B&M announce closures for stores across Scotland, while beloved beauty chain Bodycare has disappeared completely after collapsing into administration.
Claire’s Accessories is one of the latest UK favourites to avoid total collapse, as it was bought over by Modella Capital just last week, although 145 stores and thousands of jobs are still at risk.
However, there’s been a fair bit of good news recently, with multiple new openings announced to combat the closures, with the most recent including Glasgow’s Uniqlo store officially opening its doors today, Thursday, October 2.
The Japanese apparel brand’s first store in the city is located on Argyle Street, marking the second store in Scotland following the opening of its Edinburgh Princes Street site last year.
