Lingerie brands reveal plans to expand in Britain

The £3.6bn UK lingerie market will be lifted this summer by brands expanding in London. The US chain Victoria's Secret has revealed the opening dates for its first two UK shops, while Agent Provocateur is searching for new London stores as part of a 50-store expansion plan.

Victoria's Secret will open a store in New Bond Street on 25 July, followed the next day by one in Stratford City shopping centre. It is thought that Victoria's Secret will bring its sister brand Pink to Bond Street.

Meanwhile Agent Provocateur has hired the property agency Harper Dennis Hobbs to search for 50 new shops for the chain across the UK and Europe over the next five years. The retailer, owned by the private-equity backer 3i, has about 60 stores in 25 countries. It is reviewing its six London outlets and could relocate some as well as open new sites. It adds that it is searching for quirky locations in "interesting" buildings.