(Filed Under Fashion News). With its first freestanding store launch in January 2008 at the Natick Collection in Massachusetts, there are now 13 Gilly Hicks stores in operation in the United States.

The brand, which is operated under Abercrombie & Fitch, occupied 138,000-square-feet in total retail space as of November 1, 2008.

In 2009, the company plans to increase gross square footage by 9 percent, a figure that includes the other stores also operated under the company: Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie, Holliser and Ruehl. 10 new Gilly Hicks stores are included in the company’s expansion plan, costing them approximately $375 per square foot of retail space.

Reflecting the activity of its 13 freestanding stores, Gilly Hicks had a total of $11,136 in net sales for the thirty-nine week period ended November 1, 2008.

Although the company closed six Abercrombie & Fitch stores, one Abercrombie and one Hollister in 2008, no Gilly Hicks stores were closed and the company did not cite plans on closing any in 2009.

more Fashion News >>

Published 01-16-2009 by Bruna Fernandes