Tailoring goes digital: Belfast’s Celebrity tailor Suitor Bros launches new app

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It’s unquestionably a tough economic climate for bricks and mortar retail, online disruption has cannibalised many long established names and the outlook looks bleak for many more, as increasingly earning warnings seem to be the rule and not the exception.

So in the face of disruption, service and quality are of paramount importance to sway customers to spend their hard earned money in person as opposed to online.

The industries which are hard to disrupt are those where there is a longstanding personal relationship or a method of purchase which means it is far easier to be done in person, such as buying a bespoke tailored suit.

Now, if you close your eyes and think of tailoring, you’re likely to vision Saville Row and famous brands such as Ozwald Boateng, Huntsman, Maurice Sedwell et all and an industry which has been built and prides itself on quality and service.

From the master tailors of Savile Row, to the glossy windows of Jermyn Street, London has long been favoured as the ultimate destination for gentleman’s bespoke tailoring, that was until now, there is an increasingly a new go to destination…. Belfast.

Belfast based tailor Suitor Bros were established in 1992 – a year of economic uncertainty and have built a growing, very popular and thriving business that has long bucked economic trends. To become arguably the best tailor on the island of Ireland. In the process attracting a long line of celebrities, movers and shakers, creating suits for the likes of Van Morrison, sport stars such as Boxers Carl Frampton, Ryan Burnett, Paddy Barnes, Michael and Jamie Conlan, Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea and Snooker ace Mark Allen to name but a few.

It isn’t just the rich and famous who also love Suitor Bros, because of their Belfast base, away from the eye watering costs of London, means they can offer fantastic value, without sacrificing any quality. Co-owner Chris Suitor comments “We are not the cheapest, but we are not the most expensive, we offer something for all budgets”

Suitor Bros have long embraced and utilised social media as platforms to not simply spread awareness about their business, but more importantly to engage with those who love their products. I have to take my hat off to the ingenuity of Chris who has really shown what is possible it terms of marketing and brand building.

Keen to innovate further Suitor Bros have now launched their own app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.

Chris has big plans for his app, initially it will enable users to Join the SB Club accessing App only Offers, read their Blog, learn about Events and keep in touch, but many new and exciting features are planned.

It is great to see a Northern Ireland retail brand thinking forward and embracing digital technology to expand and improve their business, which nowadays is super important especially in the retention of customers.

So for all you suave, sophisticated gentlemen get onto your app store and download the Suitor Bros app:

To celebrate its launch they have a competition to win goodies such as signed boxing gloves and a three piece suit

To enter all you have to do is download the Suitor Bros app

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/suitor-bros/id1370547423?mt=8&app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.p9955AE

and like and share the tweet below…

Good luck to all those who enter the competition and even if you don’t win make sure you get over to Belfast for all your tailoring needs be it a shirt, pocket square or a full bespoke suit – they are the best at what they do!
I was recently in to get measured up for a bespoke number, which I know won’t be my last Suitor Bros Suit!

Well done to Suitor Bros showing that even in a small place, in a tough economic climate for retail it is possible to not just survive, but thrive!

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