Brooks Brothers Expands Black Fleece

Brooks Brothers (New York) plans to open two additional stores under its Black Fleece label, including its first freestanding international location. Black Fleece is designed by Thom Browne and opened its first store in New York in January.

This fall, San Francisco will welcome a 1600-square-foot store at 2223 Fillmore Street, in the former Simon Pearce location, and Tokyo will open the doors to a 925-square-foot boutique at the Omotesando Hills. The company has also entered into an agreement with Gruop Axo to open up to 40 stores in Mexico by 2015. The first location may open as early as August.

Claudio Del Vecchio, chairman and ceo of Brooks Brothers, says the expansion was based on an above-plan performance in New York , as well as finding the right location in San Francisco. Strong sales in Japan prompted the brand to look overseas.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, the parent company is also set to open a 4000-square-foot store in Rockefeller Center this summer, where it will test the viability of a smaller store format.