New Look (company)

New Look is a British global fashion retailer with a chain of high street shops in the UK, Ireland and Singapore.

History
New Look was founded by Tom Singh. Since then the company has rapidly expanded and now operates across a chain of over 1,000 stores internationally and a staff of over 30,000. The group had a turn over of £1,147 million in y/e 2008 with profits of £180 million.

In 2008, New Look continued its expansion in the UAE and opened its largest store till then in Liverpool One Shopping Centre. In February 2009, its 40th anniversary year, it opened its first store in Russia.

In July 2010, New Look opened its Scottish flagship store in Glasgow Fort Shopping Park. The store is a massive 18000 sqft. It was built on the site of a former Borders store.

The largest New Look store in the world opened in Dublin, Ireland on November 4, 2010 located at the Jervis Shopping Centre. It is the 29th New Look store in Ireland.

In 2004, after six years afloat, the company withdrew from the stock market and was taken back to being a privately owned business by founder Tom Singh and chief executive Phil Wrigley, and private equity investors Permira, Apax Partners and Quillian Investments.

On 26 April 2007, a fire occurred at a New Look branch in Oxford Street, London. The subsequent investigation revealed an extensive catalogue of failings relating to fire safety precautions and measures. The company subsequently pleaded guilty to criminal charges and on 25 November 2009, was fined a total of £400,000 with £136,052 costs.

In 2010, the fines were upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Promotions
In 2007 New Look launched its first advertising campaign for three years. The same year it used online advertising for the first time and launched its transactional website, which went live in December 2007 and currently carries womenswear, menswear, Generation 915 for teens, kids, footwear, accessories, lingerie, maternity, tall, petite and Inspire (sizes 18–26).