Back-to-office boom fuels TM Lewin’s UK store revival

British shirtmaker and menswear brand TM Lewin is planning a raft of new UK store openings, following its return to the high street in early April 2025 with a store at 44 Bow Lane in the City of London.

That came five years after TM Lewin closed its entire estate of 150 stores as the pandemic struck in 2020 and it fell into administration. It then fell into administration again before a successful digital relaunch in 2022.

TM Lewin Managing Director, Dan Ferris, told TheIndustry.fashion: "A critical part of our strategy is returning TM Lewin’s iconic presence to the high street. The Bow Lane flagship was always planned to be the first in a string of store openings.

"Following the early success of Bow Lane, and seeing the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the brand being back on the high street, we’re looking to accelerate our plans.

"Our customers like to shop in person; they want to enjoy the in-store experience and leave feeling confident in their purchase. With this in mind, physical expansion is of the upmost importance for us to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers.

"The next location will be in London where we know a large proportion of our customer base lives and works. Locations further afield will become a priority thereafter."

The new London store marks a return to its physical retail roots as it rebuilds its business in the wake of professionals returning to the office and increased demand for suits, shirts and more formal looks.

Ferris added: "More and more people are coming back into the city for work as offices look to reduce work from home days. We see a want from our customers to dress the part for their job, but it feels more flexible than pre-Covid.

"People come in to buy variations of our shirts, from formal which typically are worn for in office days, then a denim or linen shirt for ‘dressed down’ Fridays. For suiting, our top end range is selling very well, people aren’t afraid to spend as they are shopping for quality.

"Suiting purchases come from a mix of needs by the customer, whether that be for the office, a wedding or other social occasions, or all of the above."

TM Lewin was founded in 1898 by Geoffrey James Lewin and Thomas Mayes Lewin on Panton Street in London, before becoming established on nearby Jermyn Street in 1903.