Popular online brand chooses city for its first UK shop
ASLOVAKIAN-FOUNDED sock, swimwear and underwear retailer has opened its first UK store in Bristol.
Dedoles, which was established as an online-only brand in 2011, has opened a kiosk between Specsavers and Game in Broadmead.
The company sells hundreds of different designs and is known for its colourful odd socks, including collections featuring Harry Potter, Tom & Jerry and DC Comics.
Until 2018 the business was operating online only in six European countries. Then, in 2019, it opened its first physical store in Bratislava. Dedoles now has a presence in 20 countries, including 14 kiosks and shops in Slovakia and the Czech
Republic.
Jaro Chrapko, founder and chief executive, said the company chose Bristol for its “vibrant, energetic, artistic feel”.
“Bristolians are true individuals and happy to express themselves,” he explained. “We like that in the city because we have that same spirit in our company and products.”
He added: “The fact that we offer two different, yet matching, socks as odd sock pairs will be something that Bristol understands and likes.”
Dedoles is planning to open six more UK kiosks before autumn this year. The company said under its expansion plans it is hoping to open between 60 to 100 more over the coming years.
Alfred van Pelt, managing director UK, added: “Bristol is a thriving, economically growing city. It has a
❝ Bristolians are true individuals and happy to express themselves,. We like that in the city because we have that same spirit.
great catchment area, attracts huge amounts of day visitors and has a really good employment climate. We are really proud to have become a part of this city.”
The opening of Dedoles, comes at a tough time for the high street, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, dozens of big-name chains fell into administration. Among them is Debenhams, which collapsed at the end of last year.
The department store retailer’s website was bought up by Boohoo in a £55m deal, but the chain is planning to close all of its physical stores this month.