A British fashion giant is set to open its doors at a popular Co Down shopping outlet next month, marking a return to NI for the retailer which pulled out of the region more than a decade ago.
French Connection pulled the shutters on its last standalone shop in Belfast’s Cornmarket back in July 2013.
But now it is preparing to launch a store at The Boulevard in Banbridge, creating 10 new jobs.
The gallant return signals the strength of the retail industry and comes after The Boulevard recorded its strongest sales ever in 2024 with sales up 6% compared to 2023.
Simon Donoghue, European Retail and Ecommerce Managing Director at French Connection, said the opening “marks our re-entry back into Northern Ireland with a stand-alone store after a number of years.”
“With strong trading figures and a large footfall of key audience demographics, we feel this designer shopping destination is a great match for our brand,” he added.
“We are delighted to be celebrating this milestone at such a prime location and look forward to welcoming both new and existing customers through our doors.”
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The 2,608 square foot unit will sit alongside other big names in men’s and women’s fashion, including GUESS, Marks and Spencer outlet, House of Cavani, Kate Spade NY, Jack Wills, Crew Clothing Company, Levi’s and Ben Sherman.
The new store will be the brand’s tenth outlet in the UK and will boast a mixture of full price items in addition to outlet stock for men and women.
Founded in the 1970s, the brand focuses on soft tailoring, masculine shapes and core silhouettes, alongside floral accents.
Originally known for its iconic FCUK campaign in the late nineties, the brand has evolved into a modern fashion brand with an edge.
Paul McCann, Asset Manager at Lotus Property, which owns The Boulevard, described the addition of the brand to its retail portfolio as “fantastic” and insisted it will compliment the existing high-street fashion offering.
“This deal signals a resounding confidence in The Boulevard as it continues to be chosen as both the first and only location for many retailers,” he added.
“We are delighted to start 2025 off so strongly and welcome French Connection back into the Northern Ireland market via The Boulevard.
“We have no doubt the brand will succeed and continue to prosper at its new location.”
The Boulevard is the only designer outlet centre in NI is one of the strongest contenders on the island attracting local and cross-border visitors to its prime location on the A1 corridor between Belfast and Dublin.
Around one sixth of the business’ annual footfall comes from visitors from the Republic of Ireland.
Its hoped French Connection will help draw even more visitors when it opens on March 8, 2025.
News Catch Up – Monday 17 February