London Calling: UK Eyes NYC Vacancies

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union jack London Calling: UK Eyes NYC Vacancies
Soon to be the official flag of Madison Avenue??

There’s plenty of room in the NYC retail market for a UK-based shop to make it big here.

Sweating like he was getting grilled by the fuzz, Cushman & Wakefield (CWK)’s Mark Burlton, a partner in the firm’s retail services branch in London, politely fielded questions from The Commercial Observer on which European big-and-small-boxers have their eye on New York City space while sitting in his firm’s sweltering booth at ICSC.

“What you are seeing is brands that have an authentic European pedigree behind them,” said Mr. Burlton as he sat underneath the oppressively hot fluorescent lights in the Cushman & Wakefield booth.

He cited Cushman & Wakefield’s recent deal with London-based fashion label Ted Baker, in which the brokerage firm moved the atelier into its new 12,000-square-foot flagship store on 595 Fifth Avenue.

Mr. Burlton believed there were other firms, like choclatier Hotel Chocolat and fashion designer Karen Gillam, which can go the way of Agent Provacateur.

“There are still a few brands we would like to get across here – River Island I think is in a market position in Europe,” he said. “But there is no sign of them coming over just yet.”

drosen@observer.com