RM Williams, is expanding in the UK with a new store in Marlow and link-ups with key department stores including Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty.

It’s a big move for the heritage Australian footwear, apparel and accessories business that said “with an established tradition of footwear craftsmanship, the UK is seen as a natural choice to grow the brand”.

The Marlow store has just opened and is the first retail space for the brand to open outside Australia since 2017.

Marlow is an affluent town and was also chosen this year by Sosandar for its debut physical store.

Located at 46 High Street, RM Williams’ 1,700sq ft Marlow store features the brand’s new retail design concept, first introduced at its global flagship store on Sydney’s George Street last December. It has “embraced the skills of local British craftspeople, set against a backdrop of leading-edge retail innovation”. 

In terms of product, the store includes new season boots, clothing and accessories, a Marine Blue Comfort Craftsman (exclusive to the store), and the brand’s largest women’s offering in the UK.

RM Williams has more locations on its list and will open a second new store in Cambridge in December “in line with the brand’s strategy to target UK towns and cities with a high concentration of consumers who value quality, craft, and timeless heritage”.

The new spaces will join existing stores on London’s New Bond Street and Berwick Street, Soho.

As mentioned, the store rollout coincides with the label extending its stockist numbers with some high-end locations. All three of the London department stores mentioned earlier will carry RM Williams’ men’s boots collection with a focus on the brand’s Craftsman styles. The brand will also feature as part of Harrods’ men’s trunk show running until 20 October.

CEO Paul Grosmann, said: “The UK has been part of the RM Williams story for many decades. Marlow’s heritage and character makes the town an ideal setting for introducing the brand’s handcrafted products to a community which appreciates quality authenticity.”