SockShop is to open its first store since its collapse more than three years ago.
Hosiery and textiles manufacturer Ruia Group, which rescued the Sock Shop brand from administrators in 2006, will open a new store in Manchester Airport this week.
The move is part of a wider plan to open at least ten outlets in airports in the next three to five years and more than 20 in the longer term.
SockShop has operated as an online store until now, selling anything from £40 Corgi pure cashmere socks to own brand plain cotton pairs from £1.50.
Ruia Group said the retailer had seen like-for-like sales growth of 40 per cent per year since 2006.
Managing director Amit Ruia said: “This marks the beginning of SockShop’s rebirth on to the high street.”
The brand, founded by retail entrepreneur Sophie Mirman in 1983, grew to become ubiquitous at UK railways, high streets and airports. In its heyday the chain had more than 100 outlets. But it collapsed into administration in 1990 after an attempt to break into the US market.
This led to Ms Mirman’s departure and marked the beginning of an upheaval for the brand.
