SSI to bring in Brooks Bros

MANILA, Philippines - Stores Specialist Inc. (SSI) is bringing in American ready-to-wear brand Brooks Brothers this year to cater to the Filipino male market.

“We will have the brand here by the middle of the year,” SSI executive vice president Anton Huang said in an interview yesterday.

He said the plan is to open three stores within the year.

The first store would be located in Rockwell in Makati City, while the second outlet will be put up in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.

The third store would be at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

“We are bringing in the brand which we think will appeal to the Filipino male customers,” Huang said, citing America’s influence on the Philippines.

Founded in 1818 by Henry Sands Brooks, the brand is the first ready-to-wear fashion emporium in America.

While it initially offered ready-to-wear suit for men, the brand now also carries clothing for women.

Huang said that over the next few years, SSI is looking to have six Brooks Brothers stores.

He said that apart from Brooks Brothers, SSI is also planning to bring in more brands this year.

SSI, which is one of the largest specialty retail firms in the Philippines, currently has a total of 80 brands.

As of end-2012, it is operating a total of 512 stores.