Frasers Group acquires indie Aphrodite

Frasers Group’s fashion portfolio has added yet another fashion name. The acquisition-hungry group has bought independent fashion retailer Aphrodite. Terms have not been divulged.

The Sunderland menswear retailer, which has been trading in the city for 30 years, stocks high end brands including Stone Island, Moncler, Canada Goose, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph Lauren and Barbour, among others.

Aphrodite owners Andy and Duncan McKenzie have reportedly confirmed to suppliers that a deal with Frasers was concluded on 29 March, suspending deliveries “while the integration” is carried out.

It added that plans for the brand’s store and website will be shared in the coming weeks.

Frasers Group, which owns a raft of brands including the high-end fashion chain Flannels chain, has been buying up smaller multi-brand retailers. Most recently this included London- and Essex-based Zee & Co, menswear retailer John Anthony and fellow menswear independent Philip Browne.

In December 2022, Frasers also bought 14 retail, online and wholesale businesses in a £47.5 million deal with JD Sports, which included Tessuti, Scotts and Cricket.

However, the company has since weeded out some of the brands deemed no longer viable. Last month it placed kidswear brands Base Childrenswear, Kids Cavern and Flannels Junior into administration. This came just a week after the group appointed administrators for digital fashion retailer Matches.