Whistles opens Zurich flagship, first standalone store in Switzerland's biggest city

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 3, 2017

UK contemporary brand Whistles is continuing its international expansion and has opened its first standalone store in Zurich, Switzerland. The store houses the complete womenswear collection, including footwear and accessories.

Under the ownership of South Africa’s Foschini Group since last year, Whistles was founded in 1976 and successfully relaunched in 2008. the company has been expanding fast in recent periods, adding menswear and also opening new stores globally. Openings in the past year include new locations in Dubai, City Walk 2 and Hong Kong’s Harbour City and Pacific Place. New retail spaces are set to open later this year in Singapore and in Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Zurich site is spread over 1,800 sq ft, on two floors and follows the brand’s simple design aesthetic.

The company has chosen a strong location for the store in a tourist destination on the Limmat River, among the cobbled streets of Zurich’s Old Town. The façade features traditional Swiss architecture, adding to its destination appeal.  

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the entrance to the store offering plenty of natural light. On the ground floor, the company said that “rich decadent fabrics sit in contrast against the clean and minimal stone features.” The store also features a bold, geometric wood panelled floor that leads the customer around the space to the bespoke terrazzo staircase in a central position. On the first floor, where the company is selling the accessories collection, a backdrop of original wooden window shutters adds to the traditional feel.