The Scotmid co-operative has signalled its confidence in the consumer by embarking on a new retail venture, The Fragrance House, targeting a chain of 10 new UK shops over the next year.
The initiative follows the successful piloting of two stores in Dundee and Livingston.
“The Fragrance House specialises in providing exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable staff who offer the very best customer service on a range of well known prestige brands that include Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, D&G, DKNY and Armani,” said the group, best known for its convenience stores, discount health and beauty chain Semichem, and funeral business.
It has a combined total of more than 280 stores, and upped its trading surplus last year by 37% to £9.2m.
Colin McLean, Scotmid’s chief operating officer, said: “The Fragrance House is a natural development for us. We opened the Livingston store in October and the Dundee store in November and we have seen very strong sales figures throughout, particularly over the Christmas period.”
McLean, who heads up the group’s retail businesses, added: “Semichem has been a remarkable turnaround, and the fragrance market is a sizeable one, it is growing despite the credit crunch and the recession.”
He said: “In the short term we believe there is the potential for a further 10 new Fragrance House stores over the next 12 months.”
