Loaf to open first retail store

Furniture retailer Loaf has announced plans to open its first store this autumn.

Founded six years ago, the online brand is to launch a 7,500 square foot showroom in London’s Battersea.

Loaf has been ranked as the 52nd fastest growing brand in the UK in The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100. In its 2014/15 financial year, it achieved sales of £27 million including VAT, and plans to grow revenues to £100 million in the next few years.

Called a 'Loaf Shack', the new store will include interactive elements ranging from an ice cream parlour to "old school" chill-out areas and "The Snugville Mattress Testing Arena".

Loaf founder Charlie Marshall said he believes the future of e-commerce will see brands migrate to large physical spaces with multi-channel platforms working more intelligently alongside each other.

Marshall added: "Back when we launched there weren't many dedicated online retailers for just beds - they tended to be physical shops with websites added. The opportunity for us then was to sell beautiful products faster and cheaper than the high street. Today it's no longer just about price, it's increasingly about quality, service and brand allegiance."

Source : The Retail Bulletin
www.theretailbulletin.com/news/loaf_to_launch_first_store_02-06-15/