Suit maker Berwin & Berwin in Moss Bros deal

YORKSHIRE suit maker Berwin & Berwin has taken over the running of nine Moss Bros concessions in House of Fraser stores.

The move also sees Moss Bros extending its suit hire operation to 25 of Berwin Retail’s 52 concessions in the department store chain.

The two firms are establishing closer links following Berwin & Berwin managing director Simon Berwin’s purchase of a near 30% stake in Moss Bros last year from retail billionaire Sir Philip Green.

The operation of the nine Moss Bros concessions within House of Fraser will be handled by the existing Berwin Retail staff in the stores.

Mr Berwin said: “Our team has proven expertise in branded menswear retailing, and this has been further demonstrated by Moss Bros’s decision to hand over the running of their concessions. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Moss Bros.”

Brian Brick, chief executive of Moss Bros, said; “This is an excellent opportunity for all three parties; Moss Bros will be able to extend its presence within House of Fraser using a well established experienced team of people which will ensure a sensible and seamless transition for our concession departments. “

Moss Bros, synonymous with the hire of evening and wedding suits in Britain, operates through the Moss, Savoy Taylors Guild and Cecil Gee retail stores and also operates some Hugo Boss and Canali designer franchise stores.

Berwin & Berwin – which was founded in 1885 by Mr Berwin’s great grandfather Barnett Berwin, a Russian tailor – is one of Europe’s biggest suit suppliers with customers including Next and Austin Reed. It supplies Ted Baker and makes suits under the Berwin & Berwin, Daniel Hechter and Chester by Chester Barrie labels.

It manufactures suits at factories in Hungary and China and has offices in London, Leeds and Budapest.