Ahead of Christmas, Barker and Stonehouse will open its first store-within-a-store concept space in Fenwick’s Newcastle upon Tyne flagship outlet, and in Bentalls, Kingston.
The Newcastle concept store will comprise 10,000 sqft of retail space, with the Bentalls store being slightly smaller.
Barker and Stonehouse MD James Barker says: “This is a different way of trading for us – but then, retail has changed markedly in the past five years, and particularly in the past two. This type of collaboration is definitely an excellent route to sustainable growth. It allows both brands to extend their offer in relevant ways, bringing the benefits of each brand to the customers of both.
“Fenwick’s values, customers and aspirations perfectly align with our own, and I think this will work well for both parties."
The move will see the furniture floors in Newcastle and Bentalls Kingston completely reconfigured and realigned to house new trend-led roomsets and visual displays.
Fenwick is the largest family-owned group of department stores in the UK, and Barker and Stonehouse is the latest brand to make up each store’s shopping space.
Hazel Ayers, director of buying, home and beauty, at Fenwick, says: “Fenwick is excited to welcome award-winning Barker and Stonehouse to our stores in Newcastle and Kingston, as well as to Fenwick.co.uk, as we look to expand our home offer to meet our growing customer demand for contemporary home furniture.”
