Hundreds of jobs to be created as Spanish retail group comes to UK
Property giant, Land Securities is going into partnership with Spanish retail group Grupo Cortefiel, as it launches three of its brands in the UK this spring. The first stores: Cortefiel, Springfield and Women's Secret are among the first stores of the three chains to be opened in Land Securities' St David's shopping centre in Cardiff.
This new project will create hundreds of new surveying and construction jobs, as around eight stores across the three brands are expected to open this year. The deal is the first completed by Brand Empire, which is a subsidiary of Land Securities, established to bring large new entrants to the UK market.
Newcomers will be able to negotiate deals with other landlords and scheme operators, though the key focus will be to locate brands in shopping centres controlled by Land Securities.
Ezequiel Szafir, general manager for Grupo Cortefiel, said: "Our brands Cortefiel, Springfield and Women's Secret are already present in over 60 countries around the world and opening stores in the UK was our obvious next step. This innovative arrangement with Brand Empire will give us quick access with high presence while reducing some of the risks usually encountered when entering a new market."
Brand Empire said it will invest in the store environment and employees. Grupo Cortefiel will be responsible for the product line and brand marketing.
Richard Akers, managing director of retail for Land Securities, said: "Brand Empire was born out of the recognition of the difficulties experienced by some retailers in accessing our market. The innovative approach makes it easier for new brands to enter the UK and has the potential to play a significant role in the evolution of the retail environment."
Author: Tanisha Sakhawat
Keywords: construction jobs