Fat Face

Infobox_company
company_name = Fat Face
company_
company_type = Limited
slogan = Life is out there...
foundation=1988 [ [http://www.fatface.com/stry/ms_aff_his_philosophy FF Philosophy] Fat Face website]
founder = Tim Slade
Jules Leaver
location =
area_served = Worldwide
key_people=Louise Barnes
(CEO)
Stuart Owens
(Chief Operating Officer)
products = Apparel
Sports equipment
Accessories
revenue= Profit 126.4 million GBP("2008")
homepage = [http://www.fatface.com/ FatFace.com]

Fat Face is a chain of clothing retailers selling its own branded products. The company has over 140 stores in the United Kingdom [http://www.fatface.com/scat/stores Stores] Fat Face website] , with international stores in Singapore, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, France, Iceland, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar [http://www.fatface.com/scat/international International] Fat Face website] . The chain sells clothes aimed at men, women and children interested in outdoor, surf, ski and other sports themes. The company motto is "Life Is Out There". While originally marketed as active outdoor clothing, it is also increasingly a fashion brand.

History

The company was founded in 1988 by Jules Leaver and Tim Slade. Their first store was in Meribel, a ski resort in the French Alps. Jules and Tim were skiers, but had run out of money. They sold belongings, including a Volkswagen camper van, and with the new money bought lots of plain t-shirts on which to print logos. The idea of "better a bad day on the water than a good day in the office" came from this, and with growing interest and rapport with British tourists, they decided to set up shop in the UK. Between 1992 and 1993, the Fulham store was opened. The name 'Fat Face' was inspired by Le Face, an Olympic black run in Val d’Isere [ [http://www.fatface.com/content/ebiz/fatface/resources/pdfs/ff_story.pdf The Fat Face Story] Fat Face website] . When their flagship store opened in Exeter, on 25 September in the latter year, there was a turnover in excess of £110 million. As in most companies, growth was slow to begin with, but operations grew over time into the present-day company, which owns over 150 stores worldwide. The original UK store at 827 Fulham Rd, Fulham,London closed in 2006.
In 2007, Fat Face trialled putting a range of its clothing into John Lewis Partnership stores. This was successful and has since been expanded. A number of licensed products made by external companies have been introduced, such as watches and sunglasses [ [http://www.fatface.com/content/ebiz/fatface/resources/pdfs/Bridgepoint.pdf Trading Update Highlights] Fat Face website] .

Events

The 'Night Series' sporting events are a series of 7 events held by Fat Face across the United Kingdom. These include the Night Surf in Newquay, the Night Sail in Plymouth, the Night Jump at Thorpe Lakes, the Night Air in Gloucester and the Night Windsurf at Hayling Island.

Acquisitions and investments

Fat Face was bought by Advent, who also own New Look retail stores in the UK, in 2005 for £100m. Although Jules and Tim still own a share in the company, they are no longer majority share holders.

A European Investor, Bridgepoint Capital bought Advent in March 2007 for what is said to be £360m. Bridgepoint has promised Fat Face employees and customers that Fat Face will not change, only expand. With more shops opening across the UK as well as the world.

References

External links

* [http://www.fatface.com/ Company website]
* [http://www.startups.co.uk/YQnrUURoyivadQ.html Profile of the company]