Rupert & Buckley launches campaign to fund US expansion

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jul 16, 2018

North Devon clothing brand Rupert & Buckley has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube to raise funds for a US market entry.

The brand, set up in 2011, is quickly gaining traction after being relaunched and restructured by new CEO Alexander Newman last year. Over the past 14 months, it has invested in a new distribution centre in the South West, opened three new standalone stores in Bath, Durham, and Chester and become the leisurewear partner of The Boat Race.

The company is now aiming to raise £450,000 to expand into the US and grow its UK presence through retail partnerships. It is currently available in over 150 stores in the UK and Ireland, and is pursuing larger partners such as Asos and John Lewis to reach more customers.

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It has also exhibited at Pure London, and will be joining the fashion trade show once again this July.

“Our ethos is to make our brand available to all, we strive to be an inspiration to our audience and a true representation of our customers across the board. Our vision is to become a household name as an aspirational, forward-thinking brand with a solid, long-term strategy giving us the ability to roll with the highs and lows of the global economy,” CEO Alex Newman told B Daily.

“Due to the success of Rupert & Buckley over the last 14 months, we’re now looking for investment to launch in the US. We’re excited to make [it] a global player in the fashion market and to give our investors a healthy return on their belief in us.”

Since launching the crowdfunding campaign last week, it has raised more than 20% of its target and announced a partnership with West Coast Seven sales agency in the US.