Major fashion retailer returns to UK high street after closing all stores in 2020

Evans, a long-running plus-size retailer, is returning to the UK high street after closing all its stores in 2020. Known for catering to sizes 14 to 32, the brand disappeared from physical shops when its parent company Arcadia Group entered administration. It pivoted to online sales before being acquired by AK Retail in 2023, a group that also owns Yours Clothing and M&Co. Evans is now present in more than 50 Yours Clothing stores across the UK and Ireland, with dedicated Evans sections in 36 locations. Notable markets include Liverpool, Swansea, Watford, and Glasgow, and the renewal of Evans emphasizes heritage alongside value, according to Yours Clothing. Evans was founded in 1930 and has been a staple of UK plus-size fashion for decades. In a year of turmoil for the UK high street, Evans' return stands out as a bright spot amid closures and administrations. AK Retail's acquisition provided a platform to reintroduce Evans by leveraging Yours Clothing's store network across the region. Yours Clothing emphasized loyal plus-size shoppers who return when the fit and range meet expectations. While other brands have disappeared, Evans' presence offers a hopeful sign for inclusive fashion on the high street.