Two North East retail giants have joined forces to create the ultimate shopping destination for customers.
Furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse, based in Stockton, is opening its first store-within-a-store concept in Fenwick’s Newcastle flagship department store and the chain’s Bentalls store in Kingston.
The new Newcastle concept store will have 10,000 sqft of retail space, with the Bentalls store slightly smaller.
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Managing director James Barker said: “As a North East business that started back in 1946, it felt like a natural next step to partner with another much-loved independent family business that started here.
“It 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.
“We’re very much looking forward to launching the new-look concept stores in a matter of weeks and can’t wait to help customers, new and old, discover what makes a house a Barker and Stonehouse.”
The move will see the Newcastle furniture floor completely reconfigured and realigned to house new trend-led room sets and visual displays.
Set to launch before Christmas, there will also be a selected range of high-quality furniture and accessories from Barker and Stonehouse, with a focus on inspirational styling across the new-look floor to give customers plenty of ideas for their own homes.
Newcastle headquartered Fenwick is the largest family-owned group of department stores in the Ƶ and Barker and Stonehouse is the latest brand to join the flagship store’s shopping space.
Earlier this year it announced a collaboration with Cefinn fashion house of Samantha Cameron, wife of former Prime Minister David Cameron.
Other new additions include Sole Trader trainers, LRM handbag personalisation and Nail It nail bar.
Hazel Ayers, director of buying home and beauty at Fenwick, said: “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.”
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