Dorothy Perkins

Established over 90 years ago, Dorothy Perkins is now one of the biggest fashion retailers in the country, with nearly 600 UK stores and over 50 international outlets.

Dorothy Perkins’ ranges are updated weekly in store and daily online. The brand offers sizes 6 to 22, and a wide range of collections including Tall, Petite, Maternity, Lingerie, Shoes and Accessories.

Dorothy Perkins provides affordable, feminine fashion and a shopping experience customers clearly love – a jersey top is sold every two seconds and the store has won numerous awards for its collections.

Charities Supported

For the past three years Dorothy Perkins has supported Breast Cancer Care, during which it’s raised over £2 million for people affected by breast cancer. In 2007 Dorothy Perkins formed a partnership with the Woodland Trust, and since then has raised enough to plant over 100,000 trees in the UK.

Customer Profile

With an age range of 25 – 40 years, Dorothy Perkins has the widest customer base of all our brands. The average Dorothy Perkins customer is in her early thirties and she's likely to be a busy mum or working woman.

She loves fashion and takes a close interest in the new trends, but often doesn’t feel able to carry off some of the latest looks. She’s not always confident about her body, and doesn't always know what suits her, so Dorothy Perkins gives her fashion inspiration and advice. Quality, fit and price are all important to her.

1909
Dorothy Perkins begins life as 'Ladies Hosiery and Underwear Limited'

1919
The company expands to 12 shops. The impressively priced five-shilling (25 pence) blouses and range of knitwear are introduced, laying the foundations of the Dorothy Perkins value for money proposition.

1939
The trading name 'Dorothy Perkins' is adopted, inspired by the name of the classic rambling rose.

At the outbreak of the Second World War Dorothy Perkins is trading from 75 shops.

1966
Dorothy Perkins opens its 250th shop - there is now a Dorothy Perkins on most British high streets. Cash registers are also introduced in all of the brand's stores.

1969
Beginning a six year working relationship with Biba, Dorothy Perkins buys a controlling stake in the famous clothes company. Dorothy Perkins sells Biba make-up from its own stores and funds the opening of 'Big Biba', an iconic store on Kensington High street complete with its own roof gardens and pink flamingos!

1977
Dorothy Perkins acquires its first store on the most famous shopping street of them all - Oxford Street, London. At 7,500 feet this store is now the largest Dorothy Perkins.

1979
Dorothy Perkins is bought by the Burton Group.

1987
The 'Secrets' lingerie and nightwear range is introduced in Dorothy Perkins and is an instant hit.

1988
The Dorothy Perkins Account Card is launched.

1993
The Dorothy Perkins 'Maternity' range is rolled out in selected city stores. The range offers expectant mothers fashionable, affordable and comfortable maternity clothing in sizes 8-20.

1994
The company is one of the first to harness the power of celebrity by choosing Helena Christensen as the 'face' of Dorothy Perkins. The strapline at the time is 'where you can afford to look good'.

1997
Yasmin Le Bon joins Helena Christensen as another 'face' of Dorothy Perkins.

1998
The Burton Group Plc becomes Arcadia Group Plc. Dorothy Perkins is now part of the same family as Burton, Evans, Hawkshead, Principles, Racing Green, Topshop and Topman.

The 'Petite' range is introduced into selected stores, offering women 5ft 3in and under a collection to fit and flatter them.

1999
An online shopping facility is launched at dorothyperkins.com where customers can shop Dorothy Perkins 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2001
A 'Tall' range is launched in selected stores for women 5ft 8in and over, made up of specially designed pieces for the taller woman, as well as adapted trends from the core Dorothy Perkins range.

2002
Philip Green, owner of Bhs, purchases the Arcadia Group Plc.

2003
The Dorothy Perkins 15,000 foot flagship store opens on London's Oxford Street above Bond Street tube station.

2008
Today Dorothy Perkins has nearly 600 UK stores, 52 international outlets in countries including Spain, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Turkey and Singapore, as well as their largest store dorothyperkins.com