Ex-Liverpool triallist, George Davies has signed for Arsenal.
He’ll design Arsenal’s official merchandise and will operate two stores in Ashburton Grove and one in Finsbury Park.
Davies revolutionised Hepworths by turning it into Next, and is behind Marks & Spencer’s Per Una range.
Arsenal’s commercial director, Adrian Ford said: “Mr Davies will handle the design and ordering of the apparel range, which we think will be quite radical and innovative, as well as gifts and souvenirs. There is business to be done and I think we will both do quite well out of it.” Proceeds will be shared, and could extend to third party retailers and international outlets.
Arsenal’s retail business, previously run in-house, achieved sales of £8.4 million excluding VAT in the year to May 31, 2005, up from £6.9 million the year before.
Davies’s S’porter company has a similar deal with Liverpool, which, according to Retail Week includes pink retro hoodies and team bikinis – for the Liverpool women’s fashion offer, we hasten to add.
..as Hoare Lee set for Highbury
Hoare Lea has been appointed to provide mechanical and electrical design services on the conversion of Highbury stadium to residential units.
Architects Allies and Morrison will convert the existing Grade II listed East and West stands into residential accommodation. And, according to the building trade press, Hoare Lea is aiming for a “Very Good” Eco Homes rating for the residential accommodation with building insulation, a communal heating system, a renewable energy solar hot water collection system and a CHP unit.