profile

U.K.'s Leading Gay Retailer Expands With Clonezone Franchises

Following the opening of its first franchise store in Berlin, Clonezone is due to open a second in Vienna this month.

Clonezone is the U.K.’s leading gay retailer and has been in business for more than 30 years. It has four retail stores — two in London, one in Manchester and one in Birmingham. You can also find them online at Clonezone.co.uk. Clonezone has now launched a franchise scheme enabling like-minded partners to draw on their experience.

The Clonezone franchise concept is extremely appealing so we are not surprised things have moved so quickly. We are extremely happy with the locations so far and are looking forward to opening in Vienna and bringing the gift of Clonezone to the community in time for Christmas.” – Nigel Glenn, Clonezone

The opening of Clonezone’s latest franchise store comes less than six months after its first franchise store opened with another two stores due to open in Barcelona and Madrid early next year, the company said.

“The Clonezone franchise concept is extremely appealing so we are not surprised things have moved so quickly,“ says Nigel Glenn, franchise and operations manager.  “We are extremely happy with the locations so far and are looking forward to opening in Vienna and bringing the gift of Clonezone to the community in time for Christmas.”

Clonezone is regarded as the U.K. and Europe’s first gay superstore with the first store opening in 1984.

“The first Clonezone opened inside of Brompton’s — a legendary gay pub in Earls Court that is now unfortunately gone,” the company says on its website. “Our early customers included a fabulous mix of the LGBT community and a few very famous gay superstars, who of course we won’t mention...

“As our popularity grew, in 1984, we began to open up our own shops. Clonezone became an integral part of the gay scene and provided customers with news of local gay venues and a safe place to shop for the hottest fashion, toys, porn and much more — during a risky time for the LGBT community in the U.K. Our exciting stores were opened by icons such as Lily Savage, Sue Pollard and Kenny Everett.”

Over the course of the next two decades Clonezone continued to grow with stores opening in a variety of locations. According to the company, the recession in 2008 hit the high street the hardest, and led to Clonezone consolidating its stores down to Soho, Earls Court, Birmingham and Manchester. However, that all turned around, and in addition to launching franchise stores, the company also expanded its Earls Court location with the addition of a fetish store in December 2014, located directly under their current Earls Court branch.

“The large Earls Court premises has undergone a stunning refit, and by teaming up with scene veteran Jonathan Wheatley and his Fetish Freak brand from which the store will take its name, Clonezone are confident that they have put together a store that will delight fans of kink wherever they are from. The Fetish Freak brand is one of the most respected on the scene, originally housed at The Hoist, Vauxhall, Jonathan has been operating out of a store in Oval since 2013.”

According to the company, in addition to the Fetish Freak brand, the fetish shop also will sell hard-to-find goods such as the WESCO boots.

“For a long time Fetish Freaks after a pair would have had to order them in from America where they are made, but WESCO boots will be on sale exclusively within the U.K. in the new store,” the company. “Another Fetish Freak exclusive range is Invincible Rubber.”

The company’s resurgence as the U.K.’s leading gay retailer is boosted by the 2,500 product lines it carries; with products sourced from all over the world and exclusive agreements. Clonezone has also developed its own product ranges.

“Our brand continues to grow with the recent launch of the Clonezone Online Pharmacy which will sell items that cater to the body and image-conscious needs of a modern gay man,” Clonezone Director Mike McCann says in Clonezone’s Franchise Prospectus. “A key part in our resurgence over the last four years has been turning Clonezone from what was perceived as a sex shop into a fashion destination that no one else can compete with.”

Throughout the U.K., Clonezone has become renown in the GLBT community. The company notes its support and milestones.

“During our 30-plus years in the gay scene we have proudly supported HIV and AIDS research and promoted safe sex,” the company said. “We are proud supporters of many gay charities and are often involved with charity events and fundraisers in the U.K.

“We were the first company in the U.K. to import Levi 501 jeans direct from America, despite Levi’s anticipating there was ‘no interest’ in 501s in the U.K. Our bespoke leather designs have been included in exhibitions at the V&A museum and remember the famous red PVC thongs from ‘The Full Monty?’ Yes, they’re ours too!”

Clonezone Berlin is situated in Schonenberg in the heart of East Berlin on Kalckreuthstrasse, a go-to destination for gay retail. According to the company, the store has already exceeded expectations, with the Folsom Fair being a particular highlight.

Those interested in the Clonezone franchise opportunity will need at least $70K investment and share the Clonezone vision, the company. To find out more visit Clonezone. co.uk and click the franchise tab or contact Nigel Glenn via email at nigel@clonezone.co.uk.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

Electric Novelties Execs Reflect on Company Origins, Mission

When Zach Goode first crossed paths with Electric Novelties over 20 years ago, both he and the company were deeply entrenched in the apparel world. Goode was handling sales for a friend’s novelty T-shirt company, Sik World, while Electric specialized in sexy lingerie and clubwear.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
profile

Sensual Distributors Ltd. Blends Real-Life Love Story, Passion for Pleasure Biz

This local brick-and-mortar is a “mom and mom” operation led by co-owners Alana Thompson and Angini Singh, a lesbian couple who overcame their country’s strict, religious culture to create a sexual wellness boutique that serves their unique community.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

How History Drives Marketing Strategies Today

Thanks to the efforts of activists, sex educators and members of marginalized communities, products like sex toys, lubricants and adult films have become much less stigmatized, and much more visible and accepted in the public sphere today.

Hail Groo ·
opinion

BAFTA Nominations Highlights Importance of Gender-Neutrality

While the Brit Awards have paved the way for gender inclusivity by introducing gender-neutral award categories, it has recently been confirmed that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards will not follow suit.

Scarlett Ward ·
opinion

How to Explain Wax Play to Shoppers

When it comes to candles in the bedroom, most folks think of them as a great way to create a sexy ambiance. For folks who enjoy wax play, however, candles are also a kinky way to heat things up. While it may sound daunting to the uninitiated — because, you know, fire and hot dripping wax — wax play can be a fun and accessible sensation-play option, as well as an excellent intro to BDSM.

Rebecca Weinberg ·
trends

An Inside Look at the Decision-Making Process of Expert Merchandisers

Buyers in the sexual wellness industry bear a weighty responsibility. They must strike the perfect balance between meeting customers’ demonstrated needs with tried-and-true products, and staying on top of the latest trends — and that is only scratching the surface.

profile

WIA Profile: Catherine Corsaro

As director of product training and information for JO parent company CC Wellness, Corsaro oversees all sexual health and product education from the company’s Valencia, California headquarters, including training new reps who may have never touched a bottle of lube until their first day on the job.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Novum Veteran Executive Team Leverages Expertise to Grow Brand

Novum Brands may be relatively new on the sex toy scene, but there’s nothing green about George Gatziaris and Vadim Daysudov, who together founded, own and helm the business.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Al and Michele Harrington Discuss Vision for Pleasure Brand Love Verb

Former NBA player Al Harrington has matched his success on the hardwood with equally impressive accomplishments in the business world, including creating cannabis company Viola. Now, Harrington and his wife, Michele, have expanded their business portfolio with Love Verb, a venture aimed at enhancing couples’ intimacy through a variety of pleasure products.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

A Look at the Benefits of AI for Optimizing Retail Operations

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail tech, staying ahead of the curve is not just advantageous — it’s mandatory for survival. Currently, small-to-midsize retailers face an unprecedented opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) features to gain an advantage, enhance employee productivity and optimize operations.

Sean Quinn ·
Show More