LONDON — Andrew Keith, whose past roles include chief executive officer of Selfridges and president of Lane Crawford and Joyce, will take on the challenge of transforming the historic Jenners department store site in Edinburgh into a new retail and hospitality hub.
Keith has been tapped by the building’s owners, AAA United, to lead the landmark project in the Scottish capital. Jenners, which closed in 2020 for refurbishment, was one of the oldest department stores in the world, and famous for its lavish Victorian woodwork, interiors and old-world charm.
AAA United is a real estate company owned by the Danish retail tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen, Scotland’s largest landowner, the owner of the Bestseller clothing chain, and a major investor in online retailers Asos and Zalando.
The aim is to transform Jenners into a “world-class retail and hospitality destination, while being respectful to its traditions, history and architectural heritage,” according to AAA United.
Keith, who left Selfridges in late July, will take up his post in early 2025.
“As a native of Edinburgh, I am well aware of the role that Jenners has played in the commercial and cultural life of the city, and indeed of Scotland and the world beyond. Our mission is to have an impact beyond the building itself, and to deliver long-term commercial and social value by introducing innovative products that will excite customers, and engage with the local community,” he said.
Jenners has been an Edinburgh landmark since it opened in 1838, and has been located on the same corner site in Princes Street ever since. It was Scotland’s oldest independent department store until it was acquired by House of Fraser in 2005.
In 2017, the building was purchased by AAA United, which always had a grand vision for the space.
Anders Krogh of AAA United said when the company acquired the Jenners building, “we knew that it came with a great deal of responsibility. We are fully dedicated to honoring this building and its place within the future of Edinburgh, and our proposals will ensure that members of the public continue to enjoy this iconic building and its facilities for many years to come.”
Keith joined Selfridges in 2020 and led the store through one of the most challenging periods in its history while also championing its ambitious green agenda. His tenure encompassed COVID-19-related lockdown and travel restrictions, the sale of Selfridges, the bankruptcy of its co-owner Signa, and a round of layoffs announced earlier this year.
He was succeeded by André Maeder, CEO of Selfridges Group.
Before joining Selfridges, Keith had spent much of his career in Hong Kong, where he rose to become president of Lane Crawford and Joyce.
As president of Lane Crawford, he spearheaded the store’s move to omnichannel and led its expansion in mainland China with flagship openings in Shanghai in 2013 and Chengdu in 2014, on top of its original Beijing location.
The renewal of Jenners comes at a pivotal time for Edinburgh, with big brands such as Gucci opening stores and increasing their retail presence in the city.
