J. Crew brings online shopping outlet to UK

Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 14:18 by Graham Miller

US high street fashion chain J. Crew has some big-name supporters, most notably the First Lady Michelle Obama, which is why the launch of its first UK e-commerce outlet is such big news.

J. Crew stands to make a big impact on Blighty because while there are many affordable fashion outlets and a few luxury stores on the high streets here, there is no happy medium between these two entities, which is a gap amply filled by this retailer.

J. Crew has consistently outpaced the competition despite the problematic economic conditions of recent years, posting 14 per cent growth in 2009 when many other chains were collapsing.

Those who love safe shopping online will be the first to get their fill of the J. Crew experience, according to the Telegraph. Style guru and endearingly reluctant trend-setter, Jenna Lyons, is heralded as the main reason to check out this chain's range of clothing, thanks to her modern takes on classic fashion items.

Ms Lyons has been responsible for forging the success of J. Crew because she adds a personal identity to what might otherwise be just another mid-market fashion store. The US e-commerce outlet has benefitted from her own picks of the company's clothes, instructing consumers how best to wear items and what goes well with what.

With a recent valuation putting J. Crew's worth at over £1.8 billion, it is definitely a company to watch carefully.

For the time being there is no plan for a roll-out of J. Crew stores on UK high streets, although company spokesperson, Millar Drexler, suggested that if the rental price and position was right it might be interested in setting up a bricks and mortar shop.

For the time being safe shopping online will be the only way to get your fill of the latest fashion items from this US retailer.