Edge Retail, the Leicester-based retail design specialist behind in-store activations for global brands including Prada, Maison Margiela, Sol de Janeiro and Kylie Cosmetics, has secured £1.89m in funding to support the acquisition and development of a new warehouse facility to deliver larger, more complex projects.
Founded in 2006 by Craig Wick, Graham Quirke and Steve Shields, Edge Retail began when the trio, then colleagues at another firm, saw an opportunity to take on a major fragrance-brand project that would allow them to take their creative ideas to new levels.
Today the business designs and delivers bespoke retail activations, pop-up environments and in-store fixtures for luxury and lifestyle brands worldwide. The business now turns over approximately £10m annually and is forecasting 20% growth over the next year as it broadens its client base and continues to invest in technology, facilities and skilled staff.
The new warehouse, now fully operational, gives Edge Retail additional space for design development, assembly and refurbishment of display elements. The site has been developed incorporating energy-efficient lighting and heating systems and enabling the reuse of materials to cut waste.
Craig Wicks, director at Edge Retail, said: “We started Edge Retail because we wanted to take on the kind of creative, quality-focused projects that others would shy away from, and that same spirit still drives us today. The new warehouse gives us the flexibility to deliver more ambitious campaigns.”
Theo Brooks, relationship manager at Lloyds, said: “Edge Retail is a great example of how entrepreneurial vision and craftsmanship can turn into long-term success. The business has built a strong reputation working with some of the world’s best-known brands, and this funding will support its next stage of growth.
“We’re proud to continue backing the team as they expand and strengthen their presence in the retail design market.”
