Abercrombie & Fitch plans Oxford St flagship for 2025

As London’s Oxford Street continues to bounce back from almost the worst disaster in its history — Covid 19 — another big name has announced that it will open a flagship store there.

Abercrombie & Fitch will open in a two-storey space at 325 Oxford Street, the site formerly occupied by Next that’s on the corner of New Bond Street and is close to Zara.

Likely to open next year, it will occupy the ground floor and first floor of the building owned by property investment firm Hines that also includes 31,000 sq ft of office space.

The news comes just a few months after the brand opened a 3,000 sq ft space on nearby Carnaby Street, both sites underscoring the recovery of the West End as footfall returns and spending rises, even though some tourists are still staying away due to the change to tax-free shopping rules.

It’s interesting that it has chosen to open on Oxford Street given that it has closed its Regent Street flagship. Regent Street has prospered in recent periods with more and more big names signing up to take space there as Oxford Street flagged. But with Superdry having previously moved from Regent Street to Oxford Street and Abercrombie also heading in the same direction, Regent Street doesn’t have it all its own way. 

Abercrombie & Fitch EMEA MD Scott Clarke-Bryan said: “We see tremendous opportunities for Abercrombie & Fitch here in London and this prime location at the crossroads of Oxford and Bond Street will add to our growing presence in the UK market.”

Jake Walsh, Managing Director at Hines UK, added: “Securing such a high profile, iconic brand as Abercombie & Fitch is a real coup for Hines and represents a fabulous addition to Oxford Street retail offering. It is an exciting time for London’s most famous shopping street as it is redefining itself as a go-to retail, leisure and office destination and we are proud to be contributing to its dynamic evolution.”