American Apparel Expands in the U.K.

Los Angeles-based American Apparel, the vertically integrated clothing manufacturer which has been in financial distress in recent months, has opened two shop-in-shops inside Selfridges in the U.K. The new locations in Manchester and Birmingham follow the 2010 opening of the American Apparel shop at Selfridges’ London department store.

The new Manchester location is based inside the Selfridges at the Trafford Centre, a centrally-located shopping mall. The Birmingham store is the company's first in the city and is located in Bullring Shopping Centre.

“We're continuing to build American Apparel as an international brand and expanding our partnership with Selfridges is the perfect way to do it,” says Marsha Brady, a creative director for American Apparel. “These new stores are an opportunity to reach new customers in the U.K. and provide a great shopping experience.”

The new Manchester location measures 384 square feet and will carry more than one hundred womenswear styles, ranging from its line of classic staple basics to more fashionable attire, as well as seasonal winter apparel and outerwear. The Birmingham shop-in-shop, measuring 730 square feet, will offer both basic and more fashionable womenswear as well as men's basics.

American Apparel operates 249 retail stores in 20 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, U.K., Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea and China.