Sosandar launches in Arnotts, opens own stores

Women’s brand Sosandar announced a fresh retail expansion on Thursday, including an in-store launch at Ireland’s largest department store Arnotts, and the opening of its first two standalone stores in the UK.

The AIM-traded firm, which initially sold its collections online through Arnotts, said it would now be available in Arnotts' physical store in central Dublin.

That, the board said, would allow it to tap into its strong customer base in Ireland, where it had seen significant demand since its inception.

The brand’s products would be showcased alongside names such as Longchamp, AllSaints, Jigsaw, and Barbour, providing customers the opportunity to experience Sosandar’s offerings in person for the first time.

In addition to its presence in Ireland, Sosandar had also opened its first two standalone stores in the UK, located in Chelmsford and Marlow.

The Chelmsford store was chosen for its large population of nearly 200,000 people and its proximity to London.

Marlow was meanwhile described as an ideal location for the brand’s first independent retail venture, being a riverside town with high footfall and appeal to Sosandar’s target demographic.

The town attracts around 32,000 visitors daily, providing a significant opportunity for brand exposure and customer engagement.

“Arnotts is a well-established and upmarket department store in Dublin, well suited to Sosandar's high quality product range, and we're excited for the opportunity the partnership presents,” said co-chief executive officers Ali Hall and Julie Lavington in a joint statement.

“Our products were well received online with Arnotts and we're delighted to now be able to offer our Irish customers a more personalised in-store shopping experience.

“The launch with Arnotts comes amidst the opening of our first two stores, in the vibrant and affluent towns of Chelmsford and Marlow.

“The reception since opening has been nothing short of fantastic and we are grateful to the people of Chelmsford and Marlow for giving us such a wonderfully warm welcome.”

At 1030 BST, shares in Sosandar were down 2.05% at 9.55p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.