Pringle's passport to sales

PRINGLE, the rejuvenated knitwear firm, is to open a dozen stand-alone luxury stores around the world within the next three years. The first will open at Heathrow's Terminal Three in May and feature its new range of accessories.

Stores in London's Bond Street and Sloane Street are expected to open in the autumn. As part of the label's revival, Pringle chief executive Kim Winser is this week expected to announce that she has poached Burberry's head of retail, Bill Christie, to lead the search for flagship outlets in fashion centres such as Milan, Paris and Tokyo.

After years in the doldrums, Pringle, which was bought in March 2000 by Hong Kong businessman Kenneth Fang from Scottish textiles group Dawson International, is now the must-have brand for fashionistas. Robbie Williams, David Beckham and Madonna are fans of the luxury brand.