NEW MARKET ENTRY 

From Strategy to Execution of the expansion plan, we accompany clients in securing prime real estate in high streets, shopping centres, retail parks, department stores and designer outlets. Before we start, we seek to understand the client’s business and their objectives. We work across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Clients for new market entry have included: Audi, Aldo, Build A Bear Workshop, Calvin Klein, Costco, Karen Millen, Michael Kors, Tumi, WMF.

Some examples of exclusive contracts include:

• Build A Bear Workshop (BABW)

Within 4 months of our instruction, 3 deals were sourced and signed in the best locations within prime shopping centres in the Paris region, to the complete satisfaction of the US Board of BABW.

• TUMI

The brand wanted to expand into prime locations in premium streets across Europe, beginning in Paris. We advised the client on the strategy then followed with stores in Rome, Barcelona…..

ACCELERATED GROWTH 

Clients have included: Accessorize, Farrow & Ball, Esprit, Game and Nike. 

The requirements of each clients are very different, but we know how to adapt to meet those criteria, and most importantly how to source locations rapidly and pre-qualify the sites.

Examples:

• Accessorize

Instructed by the French company, CII secured a certain number of stores across France and helped grow the brand following the buy-back from the local franchise partner. 

• Esprit (Exclusive contract)

After 10 years in France, Esprit had less than 13 stores across the country, and one in London. 

CII put together a strategic plan presented to the European Board in Germany for the French and UK markets. The plan was approved and some 15 stores a year were secured over the following 3 years in France, including 4 new stores in London. CII also prepared and had got signed off for a ‘peace plan’ between the franchise store management team and the corporate stores teams in order to ensure a coherent retail strategy.

• GAME (Exclusive contract)

GAME had for a long time been seen as number 2 compared to their French rival, Micromania, and could not get any traction with the major landlords. 

Through a close working relationship, CII was able to discover that GAME was not playing to their strengths and sharing their USP, which we helped them find and then market. We were able to convey this to landlords through constructive dialogue. Phenomenal growth in stores and in sales was seen in the following two years.

MARKET EXIT

It is never easy to exit a market due to existing lease obligations and staffing issues. This requires sensitivity to the local rules and regulations, while balancing the corporate decisions and timelines which the retailer sets for store closures and market exit. It is critically important to manage closure costs, as well as the risks and liabilities.

Clients have included: Build a Bear Workshop, Tesco and WMF 

EXCLUSIVE LEASE RENEGOTIATIONS & DISPOSALS

In every retailer’s life cycle, there are times when business is not as good as was hoped, planned or expected.

We have considerable experience in helping retailers handle key and complex discussions and negotiations with landlords on how to move forward with what might have become a strained or adversarial relationship. 

Clients included: Disney, Gap, Hard Rock Café, Mexx, Puma, WE Fashion, 7 For All Mankind.

REPOSITIONING/ADVISORY

We have worked on confidential projects for the following clients either for a single country or market, but also for multiple markets.

Clients included: 7 For All Mankind, Lego, Lucky Brand Jeans, Marks & Spencer Simply Food, Nike, Petit Bateau, Sunglass Hut and Swarovski.