Jack Will targets global traveller with Gatwick store, will offer sports line in-store

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 19, 2017

Jack Wills is to open a store covering almost 100 sq m at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal to take advantage of its customers' love of travel and to provide a global shop window for its new sports offer.

It will focus largely on the brand’s accessories, including bags, wallets, belts, jewellery, holiday essentials like headgear and sunglasses. It will also sell a limited apparel offer of relevant products such as swimwear and shorts, plus footwear such as flip flops.

Importantly, the new athleisure offer that the brand launched for both men and women this year will also be sold at the new location. This launch represented a major move by the firm into one of the industry’s key growth areas. Although available online, the Sporting Goods range isn’t as widely available in its stores as the rest of its offer is but the Gatwick store will be a key shop window for the sports offer, reaching both UK and international travellers.

Fashion retailers see Gatwick as an increasingly attractive option as its “carry on-board” feature lets travellers take one of its shopping bags onto the plane in addition to their hand luggage allowance.

Founder and CEO Peter Williams said the new location will be a strong one as “the Jack Wills brand is as much about lifestyle as it is product” and that its customers are enthusiastic travellers. He added: “Our airport stores are some of the most important among our portfolio; they allow us to promote the Jack Wills brand abroad to new and relevant audiences.”