Superdry flagship store may open pre-Christmas

Superdry's new flagship store on Regent Street could open on a single floor before Christmas, founder and chief executive Julian Dunkerton said today.

The retailer is planning to open the rest of the four-floor store early next year.

Dunkerton said that Regent Street "is becoming a centre of excellence and tourist destination, with our site at the epicentre". Meanwhile, owner SuperGroup posted a 66% jump in sales to £54 million for the three months to the end of July, with wholesale revenues up 98%. Best-sellers included jackets and knitwear.

The streetwear chain is expanding swiftly. It has opened four new shops since May and intends to accelerate the store roll-out in the run-up to Christmas.

Dunkerton also said he was looking at sites in Germany for its own store, a first for the company.

He added that he felt he had made a convincing case to City sceptics who fear the brand's success is a bubble and will have a French Connection-style fall from favour.

"We're totally different from FCUK," he said. "We are a brand with thousands of products which we are constantly improving."

Its shares rose 40p to 1030p.