Carte Blanche Group has announced that they will launch their own retail store in The Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton this June.
Trading under the name ‘Carte Blanche’ the store will be launched and managed under the guidance of retail expert, Terry Harvey, who has himself built a solid reputation within the retail environment with seven stores, including Occasions in Royal Wootton Bassett and From the Heart in Locksheath.
The Marlands is a busy family shopping environment in a key location, open seven days a week and an ideal location to showcase Carte Blanche’s multi-generational brands.
Alister Marchant, Carte Blanche CEO, comments: “Carte Blanche are experts in developing sentiment character brands and innovative, fun products. However, having our own store will allow us first hand to understand how consumers engage with our brands. The store will also offer great opportunities for R&D, product launches and point of sale solutions, as well as the opportunity to get under the skin of the issues our retailers face.”
Since 1987, Carte Blanche brands have captured hearts and the imagination of consumers across the UK. The new store offers Carte Blanche a ‘shop window’ to showcase its full range of award-winning brands and best-in-class licensed consumer products.
The fragmented retail environment and the growing strength of online retailers means that there are fewer ‘bricks and mortar’ outlets with available space to dedicate to full brand presentations. The Carte Blanche store will serve as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for the company’s full portfolio of brands.
Stephen Haines, Carte Blanche Group Founder and Chairman, adds “Our brands are about sharing sentiment and having fun and we intend to do just that within our new store. Whether you’re coming in to buy a last minute greeting card or to meet Tatty Teddy or some of our talented artists at one of our family fun days, you’re guaranteed an experience to remember. We all get caught up in the day-to-day but the great thing about retail is it can offer some fun experience and much needed theatre in challenging times”.
