A SPORTSWEAR giant which sponsors Premier League and F1 teams has opened its first flagship store.
Manchester-based Castore has opened the doors of its new Dublin store, marking the brand's first step to its “highest potential in 2024 and beyond.”
The 1690 square-foot location on 34 Grafton Street, split across two levels, will act as a Castore touchpoint, allowing both new and existing clients to experience the brand firsthand.
And the sportswear retailer wants to open a further 23 "bespoke, upscale flagship stores" across the UK as part of its growth and expansion strategy, Retail Week reports.
Castore wants to position itself "as a key player in the retail sports market" whilst representing the brand's relentless pursuit of innovation and the commitment to exceed expectations for themselves and customers".
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Will Clarke, chief merchandising and operating officer, Castore, said: “As part of our growth expansion, we are thrilled to be opening on our first concept store in Grafton Street – this offers a physical platform to showcase our products in an interactive way.
“It’s a very exciting time for Castore, as we’re determined to continue this growth trajectory and position the brand as a key player in the retail sports market.”
Castore was first founded by brothers Tom and Phil Beahon back in 2016, growing to a £1billion company since then.
The Beahon brothers set up the premium label from their kitchen table after becoming frustrated at the lack of high-quality men's sportswear in the market.
Although mainly selling online, Tom always envisioned opening physical shops.
He said: "I have always believed that people enjoy the social aspect of shopping, it’s something a lot want to do on a Saturday.
''People can touch and feel and try on the products, and that’s something you can’t replicate online.''
The brothers brand has gone from signing its first factory deal to clinching huge kit deals with Premiership football teams, the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The booming company, which counts Andy Murray among its investors, has seen England’s men and women cricketers wear Castore's winged logo.
As well as this, Castore also works with Formula 1 team McLaren, Premiership rugby side Saracens and a growing roster of football clubs, including Rangers, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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The brand has also added Sevilla in Spain, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and Dutch outfit Feyenoord to its list of clients.
