Cruise back in fashion as new chief executive James Pow unveils relaunch

THE Scottish fashion chain Cruise is relaunching its ten stores following its dramatic administration last year.

New chief executive James Pow, who has a long history in fashion retailing, including stints as chief executive of Aquascutum and Hackett, has invested a six-figure sum to turnaround the business after it ran into trouble last May.

The relaunch involves a refurbishment of its seven flagship stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast, as well as a revamp of its collections to include more designers, such as Alexander McQueen and Halston Heritage.

Pow has been working with Cruise since October to restructure the firm. Problems following the Icelandic banking crash, growing high street competition and an aggressive expansion saw the chain fall into administration at the depth of the recession.

It was immediately bought in a pre-pack administration by former managing director John Heath and former finance director Iain Baird, who both left the company just six months later.

Pow said: "The relaunch of Cruise will see a return to our core values of exclusivity, inspirational style and bespoke service."

Meanwhile, Edinburgh-based entrepreneur Luke Heron has bought online ethical retailer Adili for a nominal 1 in a deal that will see the company delisted from the Alternative Investment Market.

Adili had its shares suspended on Aim earlier this month after failing to secure vital funding.

Heron said yesterday that his strategy for the business will lift annual revenues to 3m by the end of this year.