A new store will open on Reid Street this week as Nine West steps into space formerly occupied by Capital G Bank.

This is the second time in recent months that Gibbons Company's has opened a separate boutique next door to its larger department store.

"We can't be everything because we are restricted from a size point of view and opening the stores allows us a little bit more flexibility in the main store to continue to develop our lines," said chief merchandising officer Paula Clarke.

The first store, Kenneth Cole opened in the former bank premises last autumn.

Ms Clarke said: "Kenneth Cole has done very well. The launch was incredible. We did a soft launch - which is the same as what we are planning for the Nine West store - and the momentum kept going. Christmas was incredible so we were very happy with the response."

Established in 1978, the Nine West brand took its name from its founding location at 9 West and 57th Street in New York City. Prior to opening the Nine West boutique, Gibbons Company previously sold the brand within the walls of the department store. As per usual, Nine West's stock - which launches on Thursday with the spring line - will sell here at the same prices as it does in the US. Besides clothing and shoes, the store will also sell its line of handbags and accessories such as jewellery, belts and hats.

Ms Clarke said: "It is a great line. We've been so successful with it. We have an exclusive in Nine West clothing in Bermuda and we've had demands for shoes. We have been buying the handbags and accessories and they have also been successful so we knew Nine West was in demand. We felt that it was a good brand name that again had a strong identity, a lot of credibility and customers could rely on the brand, so that is how we chose it."

Ms Clarke said that the Nine West brand is for a "contemporary customer who has defined her fashion style, is a little edgy and identifies with the look and the quality and the price".

As for whether this is the end to changes at Gibbons Company, Ms Clarke says her team will not be slowing down.

"As buyers, the team are always looking at trends and seeing where the business is and where the demands are so we are always making sure we are moving and changing so yes we will be making more changes from year to year," she said adding that Gibbons Company target customer are residents of Bermuda.

"We have a very successful children's department so we really feel that we're catering to the needs of the residents from when they are born all the way through. We are also catering to their home as well so we have our home and garden department in the basement, bed and bath and home decor," she said.