Menswear brand, M.J.Bale, has planned a rapid expansion of more than 25 stores by the end of 2015, and is also eyeing international markets, as the profile of the sector continues to gain. M.J. Bale, founded by Matt Jensen in 2009, has 14 stores in Australia. The Sydney-based label will open at Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre in September, followed by its first store in Adelaide at the beginning of next year. “There’s a lot of shopping centres refurbishing, growing, or startin
g up, so we’re seeing a lot of interest come across the table from landlords,” Jensen told Inside Retail PREMIUM.
The brand is aiming for 25 stores by 2015, earmarking Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane, as prime locations for bricks and mortar growth, and has forecast FY14 revenues of $20 million.
“We have a national presence, but we’re looking at Adelaide. We think there’s an interesting demographic there.”
The sector’s new found popularity has been influenced by the growing number of online startups offering bespoke tailoring, as well as the wave of upmarket international menswear retailers setting up shop in Australia.
US-based menswear chain, Brooks Brothers, is yet to open its first standalone store in Australia, however, has rolled out its concession model through several David Jones department stores.
Jensen says the arrival of international retailers to the local sector has created a “rising tide”.
“It’s fascinating to see the rise of the profile of menswear globally and in Australia, and guys like Brooks Brothers, they’re just a part of the conversation now,” Jensen said.
“I think this is a real positive, it raises awareness and the profile of menswear in this country [and] as long as you’re sharp on product, service, price, and brand, you’ll benefit.”
In addition to building on its existing footprint, M.J. Bale has turned its attention to online. It will relaunch its website from next month.
“We think there’s an interesting opportunity in online for us. We’ve more than doubled our revenue online in the last 12 months, and I think we’re only at the start of the discussion with online.
“Everyone has to improve their online site and service, and that’s what we’re investing in.” The brand is also looking into the space of online customisation.
On international expansion, Jensen says M.J. Bale’s offering has relevance in all the big markets, but will keep the focus local for at least the next two years.
“We take a lot of effort in managing our brand and product in a way that hopefully can see it travel further afield into offshore markets.”
