Global Retail Brands (GRB) will open a new concept store in Melbourne today under its homewares brand House to test the waters on a retail format the company hopes to take to the UK.

The retailer aims to open its first tranche of stores by April 2018, with a total of 75 stores set to open within three years.

Steven Lew, executive chairman at GRB and son of Australian retail stalwart Solomon Lew, is looking to replicate lessons learned from the new store in Malvern to inform decisions in the new market.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve looked at opportunity markets, both nationally and internationally, and the UK seemed like a very good fit for us,” Lew said.

“We want House to become a household name in the UK as the go-to for cooking and entertaining. We believe that 75 stores is a safe number to target, however, this will very much be opportunity-led,” he continued.

“We also want to create a sustainable product; for example, we are not focusing on putting a showcase on Oxford Street as we want the first store to be the same as the 75th store. If compelling opportunities present themselves, we will have the opportunity to open even more stores.”

Lew is being advised by consultants MMX retail, who is also assisting Premier Investments on its Smiggle UK expansion, and is targeting shopping centres and retail parks that can accommodate a 3,500 sq ft. format.

“Global Retail Brands’ strong trading history over the last 40 years, combined with its customer service levels and product delivery, has shown that House will create a new, strong draw to a wide range of retail venues across the UK over the coming years,” MMX partner Nick Symons said.

House will be the latest in a growing number of Aussie retailer expanding into to the UK, including Wesfarmers’ owned Bunnings, Typo, Kikki.K, Honey Birdette and Lovisa.

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