OV E R 60 YEARS OF RETA I L E XPE R I E N CE
WHO WE ARE River Island has evolved over sixty years to become one of the biggest and most recognisable brands on the British high street and beyond. At River Island we believe that fashion should be fun and this culture runs throughout our whole business. From our stores across the world right through to our website riverisland.com, the spirit and enthusiasm for sharp, creative fashion reigns supreme.
WHAT MAKES RIVER ISLAND We have a deeply creative heart. We are top of the trends. Sometimes we create trends.
Our attitude and personality is a huge part of what makes us different. We aren’t afraid to keep changing to stay fresh and people will come to us for exactly that reason.
We genuinely love what we do. We take our business seriously, but don’t believe fashion should ever be too serious. We are happy to be individualist and to take a different approach. We put our own spin on things, we don’t just copy what others are doing.
THE STORY • Started in 1948 by Bernard Lewis in North London. • 1965 Chelsea Girl was launched - the first and original chain of fashion boutiques on the UK High Street. • In 1982 Menswear joined the mix and Concept man was created. • In 1988 Chelsea Girl and Concept Man were brought together to become River Island, a new shopping experience within a retro colonial environment. • 2003 saw the launch of a new flagship in Oxford Circus boasting a new modern design. • 2006 River Island opened the first wholey owned international store in Amsterdam, closely followed by Rotterdam. • 2010 saw the launch of River Island 'Boys & Girls' collection aimed at kids between 3-12yrs. • By 2011 River Island is one of the most recognisable brands on the high street with a portfolio of over 300 stores worldwide. • 2011 Riverisland.com increases its global presence by shipping to over 100 countries around the world.
THE FACTS • Privately owned by Lewis Trust Group. • One of the most recognised multi channel fashion brands in the UK and Ireland. • Over 1,750,000 sq ft nett trading space in over 300 stores worldwide. • International website launched Autumn 2011. • Childrenswear launched 2010. • Chelsea Girl heritage range relaunched 2010. • Over 11,000 employees worldwide.
OUR STORES WESTFIELD STRATFORD CITY, LONDON River Island Stratford opened in September 2011 in Europe’s biggest shopping centre, Westfield Stratford City. The 11,000 sq ft store showcases our new interior scheme, which has been developed and fine-tuned over the last year, and is designed to compliment the seasonal collections whilst quietly standing out.
STORES WORLDWIDE
MOSCOW
AMSTERDAM
SINGAPORE
ANTWERP
OUR CUSTOMER WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE IN COMMON • They all want to be part of the crowd and at the same time stand out from the crowd. • They all want to discover something a bit different but still want to feel that they’re on trend. • They all love fashion, enjoy shopping and spend money on clothes.
“River Island always surprises me. I love their twist on the latest fashion and I always find something different.”
MULTI CHANNEL RETAIL
STYLE INSIDER ONLINE RETAIL
MICROSITE & MAGAZINE
ONLINE
OVER 2 MILLION VISITORS PER WEEK TO OUR WEBSITE
STYLE INSIDER MICROSITE & MAGAZINE
OVER 600,000 STYLE INSIDER MAGAZINES IN STORE EVERY YEAR
OUR APPS iPAD & iPHONE APP
SOCIAL MEDIA
OVER 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS ON FACEBOOK • OVER 40,000 FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER
NEW LAUNCHES:
Chelsea Girl was a British high street favourite throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s before evolving into River Island. Drawing from the fashion heritage of the brand, we re-launched Chelsea Girl in 2011 to bring archive design favourites to a new generation. Chelsea Girl is available online and in over 130 stores worldwide.
Launched in 2010, River Island Boys & Girls is all about big style for small people. The range is fun, durable and designed for fashionable kids.
The Boys and Girls collection is available online in over 85 stores worldwide.
In 2011, River Island launched a new, in-house designed menswear brand, Holloway Road. Taking its name from the location of the first shop River Island founder, Bernard Lewis, opened in 1948. Drawing from the Lewis family’s strong fashion heritage and tradition of well made, quality garments, Holloway Road leads with a range of hard-working clothes for the modern man.
SUPPORTING OTHERS River Island helps to fund multiple community projects across the UK and Abroad. We are committed to supporting the following charities:
Magic Bus is a not-for-profit organisation that works towards creating equal opportunities for children and youth living in some of the most vulnerable circumstances in India. River Island has supported Magic Bus in a number of ways, including funding their soccer team’s participation in a FIFA tournament and designing the t-shirts for their kits. www.magicbusindia.org
Chickenshed is a theatre company where everyone is valued and everyone is welcome. River Island's ongoing and invaluable support aids Chickenshed financially and enables the theatre company to be incredibly creative with their costumes. River Island has previously designed and sold t-shirts with all proceeds going directly to Chickenshed and also provides over 100 costumes annually for the theatre company’s gala show performance. www.chickenshed.org.uk
Epilepsy is the most common and serious neurological condition in the UK which affects 1 in 131 people. The Epilepsy Society works to provide information, emotional support and advice to sufferers of all ages who would like to talk to someone about how epilepsy affects them. www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
Newlife Foundation for disabled children works tirelessly to provide support and care children who are sick, have life limiting conditions, or are disabled. The Charity also funds research, offers help to families and cares alongside, grants for life changing equipment. Newlife also campaigns nationally for the rights of sick and disabled children and their families throughout the UK. River Island has been a prolific supporter of Newlife since co-founding the charity in 1991 and also was a pioneer of Newlife’s recycling service which is now used by many leading retailers. www.newlifecharity.co.uk
Fashion is making a difference for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and River Island is part of this difference. As part of the annual Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign, River Island donates 30% of the retail price of selected items directly to the charity. This donation goes towards funding vital research, campaigning and education work for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. www.breakthrough.org.uk
CHELSEA HOUSE BUYING & DESIGN
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE MILTON KEYNES
The Lewis Trust Group has grown, from its postwar retail roots, into one of the UK's largest privately owned companies. The group has worldwide interests in retailing, leisure, financial services and property and now employs over 11,000 people.
REAL ESTATE
FUND MANAGEMENT
With offices in London and Sacramento, California, LTG is an active investor and developer of real estate throughout the UK, Europe and in a number of major US cities.
Cavendish Asset Management is a specialist long-only equity fund manager authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority. Founded in the 1980s, Cavendish has a track record of investment expertise stretching back over 30 years. Cavendish manages a range of ten OEIC funds which cover geographic as well as sector specific areas, these include flagship funds, Cavendish Worldwide and Cavendish Opportunities, both of which hold a number of respected industry ratings.
At the core of the business is a major income producing portfolio in all property sectors; retail, office, industrial, and residential. We also undertake commercial and residential development both directly and with specialist partners in all of the geographies we operate in. www.ukandeuropean.com
LEISURE
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT
6000 rooms owned or managed in 26 properties in the U.S.A, Israel and Thailand.
LTG invests in equity and debt in new and developing businesses, and invests in Private Equity and other Funds, JV’s and other partnerships worldwide.
This document is produced by River Island Clothing Co.Ltd, Chelsea House, Westgate, London W5 1DR, England (‘River Island’). EXCLUSIONS The contents of this document are for general information only, may have different application according to country and do not constitute an offer or contract from River Island. The document and its contents are believed accurate as of the date of printing. River Island excludes all representations, warranties, conditions and terms, whether express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. River Island shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of or reliance on any information or content provided by this document. ©COPYRIGHT River Island Clothing Co.Ltd 2011. All rights reserved. Except as expressly permitted by applicable law, no part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any retrieval system, without the prior permission of River Island. TRADEMARKS River Island, Chelsea Girl, Lewis Separates, Style Insider, Holloway Road and RI are trademarks of River Island. Certain other names and marks used in this document are trademarks of third parties.