Midlands based rugby fashion brand Front Up Rugby is on the move ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in London in 2015.
For a small and relatively unknown brand it now boasts an impressive customer base – with the addition of Debenhams and House of Fraser this year and turnover expected to break £1m over the next year.
The brand sees online expansion coupled with wholesale growth with select accounts as the key to unlocking the potential in an increasingly lucrative rugby market. On little budget, Front Up has already created a successful social media presence with over 20,000 followers on Facebook & Twitter alongside a substantial grassroots and professional player ambassador scheme with over 50 players signed up.
Front Up’s vision is to use the growth in rugby and the unique opportunity of the rugby world cup in the UK in 2015 as a springboard to capture the UK market and expand internationally.
MD & founder Jon Allen commented “With the upsurge in the popularity of rugby, the growth of online shopping and proven traction, Front Up is well placed for rapid growth ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and we’re very excited about the growth potential for the next few years and beyond.”
To support Front Up’s growth it has just completed a round of funding via Crowdcube – raising £100,000 from 90 investors. The funds will primarily be invested in product development, improving the brands online presence and in recruiting an additional member to the team.
Due to popularity, Front Up is extending its pitch until this Sunday, 15th September and over-funding.
‘Armchair Dragons’ from any walk of live can invest anything from £100 in the business in return for clothing and an equity share in the business.
Anyone who invests over £500 will be entered into a competition to win lunch with shareholder and England Rugby Star, James Haskell.
Those who invest over £5,000 will also receive an extra 20% of shares for free as an incentive for ‘bigger hitting’ investors.
Here at Scottish Rugby Blog towers we’re big fans of Front Up’s clothing – the hoodies especially are great quality – and wish them all the best for the future. The brand has grown from Jon’s back bedroom to the High Street and what’s to say it won’t be snapping at the heels of the likes of Superdry and Jack Wills in a few years’ time!
To find out more about the brands exciting history, future plans and investment opportunity, visit www.crowdcube.com.
