Fast fashion retailer Windsor Fashions is planning to open 150 new stores over the next two years, adding to its current fleet of 230 locations across 42 states in the U.S.
Windsor’s focus on special occasions and seasonal events, combined with its revolving product assortment (the company reports that it adds more than 250 new SKUs each week), have helped it weather not one recession, but two. During the 2008 recession, Windsor began expanding its footprint, and the retailer plans to do the same now as the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic spurs a resurgence of social occasions. The company already has opened 10 new locations in the last 12 months.
In part, Windsor credits its local merchandising strategy for its ability to weather economic storms. The retailer refers to its model as a “Nationalized Boutique,” with each store featuring its own assortment unique to its market. The family-owned company is backed by private equity firm Sun Capital — also an investor in Vince and Scotch & Soda — which has helped Windsor build out its omnichannel capabilities in recent years, including what is now a fast-growing ecommerce business.
“The velocity of our business has increased substantially since the first of the year,” said Leon Zekaria, CEO of Windsor in a statement. “Post-pandemic, Windsor is positioned in an ideal spot to capitalize on the return to normalcy and deliver accessible fashion for all the social events in our customers’ lives. The rapid increase in our store expansion plan is an exciting next chapter.”
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