Spirited Wines' plans for Nicolas stores |
| Written by Gemma McKenna |
| Friday, 10 February 2012 12:52 |
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Only a quarter of the 43 Nicolas shops in London acquired by Spirited Wines last week will trade under the Nicolas name, while the remainder will become Spirited stores.
Nicolas, owned by French drinks giant Castel, has agreed that Spirited can run a percentage of stores as franchises.
In an exclusive interview with Harpers, managing director of Spirited Wines Benoit Thouvenin said “very simple rules” had been put in place between the two companies, and that he had no obligations to take stock or pay fees to Nicolas under the deal. The figure paid for the company and assets was not disclosed.
Thouvenin emphasised that changes to the fascia and range stocked would take place “slowly” but be in place for Christmas 2012. Nicolas exit strategy The most recent Nicolas accounts showed a loss of £2,039, prompting some to speculate that Nicolas was looking for a painless exit from the UK market.
Industry consultant Allan Cheesman said Castel has “never made UK retail work” and had “struggled since the early days of Nicolas stores, through Oddbins’ incarnation to the slimmed-down Nicolas we see today”.
For the full story, you’ll have to read this week’s issue of Harpers, click here to subscribe. |
