Sosandar, the online women’s clothing retailer, has announced ambitious plans for physical expansion, aiming to open up to 50 stores over the next three to five years. This strategic move comes as the company gears up to open its first two outlets in September, located in Chelmsford, Essex, and Marlow, Buckinghamshire. This expansion is part of a successful partnership with Sainsbury’s, which has already seen Sosandar’s collections featured in the supermarket chain.
Julie Lavington, the company’s joint chief executive, told The Times that Sosandar is set to become a “true multi-channel retailer,” with plans to establish stores in affluent market towns and cities. She highlighted that, over the past year, as more consumers have returned to shopping on the high street, the company has been working to enhance its physical presence.
The decision to open physical stores comes after Sosandar surveyed its customers, with “virtually 100 per cent” expressing a desire for physical locations to complement their online shopping experience. Lavington emphasised the strong customer demand for a dual shopping option.
Despite a 9 per cent increase in sales to £46.3 million, the retailer recently reported a loss of £300,000 for the financial year ending 31st March, compared to a profit of £1.59 million the previous year.