Casual Male Launches Online Stores in Europe

Casual Male Retail Group Inc. has begun launching Web sites to expand sales in the European Union. It launched its first Web site in the United Kingdom and more Web site launches are planned later this week in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

Web sites are being launched for the company’s Casual Male XL and Rochester brands of men’s apparel in big and tall sizes. Previously the company’s only presence in Europe was a Rochester store in the U.K.

Demand for big and tall apparel is rising throughout Europe, where more than 135 million individuals have weight issues. Casual Male also noted that Internet use projected to grow 25% by 2011 in Europe, as another factor in its decision to expand in the E.U.

GSI Commerce is handling the design of Web sites, Web technology, order processing, fulfillment and call center services for the apparel marketer.