Ultimo wins concessions in House of Fraser deal

Lingerie brand Ultimo has unveiled plans for a tie-up with department store group House of Fraser that will see its first concessions open next month.

Ultimo has unveiled plans for a tie-up with department store group House of Fraser. Picture: TSPL

The company’s products, including swimwear, will initially be stocked at concession outlets in Glasgow and Manchester, and founder Michelle Mone said further stores were in the pipeline.

She added: “Our growth strategy is focused on three key areas – growing store presence, increasing our product offering and online expansion. With these new stores, we’ll be in a position to showcase Ultimo’s full product offering, whilst also giving consumers a seamless Ultimo shopping experience.”

A recent revamp of the brand, aimed at boosting overseas sales, saw Liverpudlian model Abbey Clancy, who won the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, replace Argentine actress Luisana Lopilato as the “face” of the label.

Mone last year sold a majority share in her MJM International empire to Sri Lanka-based MAS Holdings, which designs and manufactures underwear and sportswear across 28 factories and design studios, employing more than 60,000 people.

East Kilbride-based MJM, set up by Mone in 1996, also supplies lingerie to retailers including Asos, Debenhams, Littlewoods and Next, and a spokesman for House of Fraser said: “Our customers will be delighted the brand is more widely available in our stores.”

In April, Chinese conglomerate Sanpower bought a majority stake in House of Fraser in a deal that valued the chain, which owns Edinburgh retail institution Jenners, at £480 million.

The department store has its origins as a small drapery in Glasgow and Sanpower chairman Yuan Yafei recently outlined plans to expand the chain with franchise outlets in Abu Dhabi and Russia.