We are the UK’s leading multi-branded high street fashion retailer and we offer customers the best possible mix of fashion, brands, quality and value. But that’s not all; we are unique and dedicated to giving our customers what they want.
We don’t just sell clothes; we set out to inspire our customers; giving them the freedom to find their own style, to play by their own rules so they can wear what they want to wear.
At Republic we’re all working towards the same goal: to help you find the products you’re looking for and to ensure you receive the best customer service possible. So whether you’re on our website or in a bricks and mortar store, your shopping experience with Republic will be the highlight of your day. Simple.
| 1985 | Up North in a sleepy village near Leeds, a group of lads with a penchant for the usual vices, spot a gap in the market when they struggle to buy a decent pair of jeans from their local high street. It's a Eureka moment. |
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| 1986 | The following year the first store opens in Leeds city centre, specialising in top denim brands. Success is immediate. |
| 1989 | Shopping malls become the new black. A second store opens in Sheffield's Meadowhall and a cluster of stores follow nationwide. |
| 1990 | Republic clothing is launched. |
| 1994 | Womenswear is introduced. |
| 1996 | The company picks up 'Casual Retailer of the Year' at the FHM awards. |
| 1998 | The demand for denim declines and customers become more fashion focused. Republic explores new avenues in training, marketing and in-store merchandising. The results shape the business into a fashion retailer with the ability to predict future trends and more importantly the flexibility to respond to shifts in the market. Republic picks up a second FHM award. |
| 1999 | A new store opens in Braehead, Glasgow where innovative new design concepts are trialled. The format proves an immediate success and the results shape the blueprint for subsequent stores. |
| 2000 | Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Derby and Gateshead open and the portfolio reaches 20. |
| 2002 | The company website launches and the 30th bricks and mortar store opens. |
| 2003 | The store design is improved and a further 10 new stores open. Older stores are converted to the new Republic format. The portfolio reaches 40.. |
| 2004 | Private equity group 3i invests £20 million in the company. Republic announces plans to quadruple the business to 200 stores. A further 19 stores open. |
| 2005 | Profits reach £10m and 3i is paid back in full. 25 new stores open and the portfolio reaches 80. A management buy out is backed by Change Capital Partners. |
| 2006 | With the majority of the portfolio trading at on average 2,000 square foot, the strategic decision to expand into larger format stores is taken. Mega-stores in excess of 7,000 square foot open in Manchester and Birmingham. Plans to launch an online store become closer to a reality as Republic joins forces with ecommerce provider, Venda. |
| 2007 | Republic's online store opens! |
| 2008 | Republic's website revamp! |
