New Look
Alcentra and Brait · United Kingdom
New Look is a British value fashion retailer founded by Tom Singh in Taunton in 1969, selling womenswear, menswear and teen fashion through UK stores and online. Since a 2020 restructuring it has been owned by Alcentra and Brait. It is one of the best known chains on the UK high street.
| Founded | 1969, Taunton |
|---|---|
| Founder | Tom Singh |
| Owners | Alcentra and Brait (since 2020) |
| Headquarters | Weymouth and London, United Kingdom |
| Segment | Value high street fashion |
| Website | newlook.com |
What is New Look?
New Look is a UK fashion retailer offering affordable womenswear, menswear and clothing for teenagers, together with shoes and accessories. Its corporate services are based in Weymouth, Dorset, while creative, digital and product teams work from London. It sells through high street and shopping centre stores and its own website.
History
Tom Singh opened the first New Look shop in Taunton, Somerset, in 1969. The chain expanded across the UK and later abroad, entering Ireland in 2003 and Belgium in 2006. In 2004 the company was taken private by a consortium including Singh, Permira and Apax Partners.
South African investment group Brait acquired New Look in 2015 for £780 million. The business subsequently retrenched, closing around 60 UK shops and withdrawing from most international markets in 2018. After further financial difficulties, Alcentra and Brait took ownership in October 2020. In early 2025 New Look exited Ireland, and FashionUnited reported in June 2025 that its owners were reviewing strategic options, including a possible sale.
Products and positioning
New Look sits in the value segment of UK fashion and is primarily a womenswear destination. Its range covers:
- Womenswear, including occasion and everyday wear
- Menswear basics and casual wear
- Teen clothing
- Footwear, bags and accessories
The proposition rests on accessible prices and frequent trend updates rather than on premium materials or brand heritage.
Business model and distribution
New Look is a vertically operated retailer that designs and sources its own product and sells it through its own stores and e-commerce. The store estate is much smaller than at its peak, when the group had more than 900 shops internationally. In April 2025 the company secured £30 million of investment to support a digital transformation, alongside continued store closures and head office job cuts.
Why it matters
New Look's path from rapid expansion to restructuring mirrors the wider challenges facing British store-based value fashion. Its digital investment and possible change of ownership make it a closely watched case for how legacy high street chains adapt to online competition.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns New Look?
New Look has been owned by Alcentra and Brait since a financial restructuring in October 2020. In 2025 the owners were reported to be reviewing options that could include a sale.
Where is New Look from?
New Look is a British retailer. Tom Singh opened the first shop in Taunton, Somerset, in 1969, and the company is now run from Weymouth and London.