Jack Wills is Sidestepping the KOP Mall for Suburban Square

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Next month, British retailer Jack Wills will unveil its second Philly-area store, deliberately sidestepping the King of Prussia Mall in favor of Ardmore's Suburban Square shopping center. Close to Bryn Mawr and Villanova, the 1,300-square-foot Ardmore location will appeal to area coeds with its preppy, Abercrombie-meets-Barbour aesthetic; men's and women's apparel will be showcased amidst a "fireplace, repurposed flooring from old schools, vintage fixtures from the United Kingdom and the signature pink and navy striped cash wraps."

Jack Wills currently has 13 stores in the states—including Philly's Walnut Street location—all of which are concentrated in the Northeast. But according to WWD, enclosed malls are not on the brand's agenda as it continues to push south and west—and that includes KOP: "[Malls are] not our cup of tea at this point in time," says Jim Hardy, president of Jack Wills Inc. Look for the Ardmore store to open late May.
· Jack Wills Expands in the U.S. [WWD]
· Jack Wills [Official Site]