Xupes to open first UK store
Xupes, a specialist online retailer of pre-owned items, is to open its first UK bricks-and-mortar store by London’s Royal Exchange.
The store will be situated adjacent to Hermès and Louis Vuitton and will sell the company’s collection of pre-owned watches, handbags, jewellery and artworks. The company will also be puchasing items directly from customers then selling them on their behalf. In addition, it will offer an exchange service to encourage customers to recycle their items.
Xupes was established in 2009 by Joseph McKenzie and his father Frank. Until now, the company has been a ecommerce business although over 50% of customers visit the company’s Hertfordshire based showroom before purchasing.
Commenting on the decision to open a physical store, Joseph McKenzie said: ““We are extremely excited to be launching our first retail space in the UK in such a prominent location and amongst some of the world’s most exclusive brands, which we actually stock ourselves. Buying pre-owned not only makes financial sense for customers, but also provides access to vintage and classic designs that aren’t available from retailers any more.”
Xupes has appointed Formroom to design the store. McKenzie added: “The aim is to create an interactive and immersive customer experience which showcases our online origins and encourages clients to transition from the world of digital to real-time whilst encapsulating our personal, unique service.”
The company has also recently expanded into the Dutch market. At the beginning of August, Xupes launched a pop-up concession in de Bijenkorf’s flagship store on Dam Square in Amsterdam. The store is owned by the Weston family, which also owns the UK’s Selfridges, Canada’s Holt Renfrew and Ireland’s Brown Thomas chains.
The Royal Exchange store is scheduled to open this month.
