Sportswear giant opens first flagship store… with 23 more locations
A SPORTSWEAR giant that sponsors Premier League and F1 teams has opened its first flagship store.
Manchester-based Castore has opened the doors to its new store in Dublin, marking the brand's first step towards its “highest potential in 2024 and beyond.”
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The 1,690 square meter location at 34 Grafton Street, spread over two levels, will act as a Castore touchpoint, allowing both new and existing customers to experience the brand first-hand.
And the sportswear retailer wants to open a further 23 'bespoke, luxury flagship stores' in the UK as part of its growth and expansion strategy. Retail Week reports.
Castore aims to position itself “as a key player in the retail sports market” while representing the brand's relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to exceeding self and customer expectations.
Will Clarke, chief merchandising and operating officer of Castore, said: “As part of our growth, we are delighted to open our first concept store on Grafton Street – providing a physical platform to showcase our products in an interactive way.
“It is a very exciting time for Castore as we are committed to continuing this growth trajectory and positioning the brand as a key player in the retail sports market.”
Castore was first founded by brothers Tom and Phil Beahon in 2016 and has since grown into a £1 billion business.
The Beahon brothers founded the premium label from their kitchen table after becoming frustrated with the lack of high-quality men's sportswear on the market.
Although he mainly sold online, Tom always had the idea of opening physical stores.
He said: “I've always believed that people enjoy the social aspect of shopping, it's something a lot of people want to do on a Saturday.
“People can touch, feel and try on the products, and you cannot imitate that online.”
The brothers' brand has gone from signing the first factory deal to securing huge kit deals with Premier League football teams, the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The booming company, which counts Andy Murray among its investors, has seen England's male and female cricketers don Castore's winged logo.
Castore also works with Formula 1 team McLaren, Premier League rugby team Saracens and a growing number of football clubs, including Rangers, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The brand has also added Seville in Spain, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and Dutch side Feyenoord to its customer list.