USC started life in Edinburgh as a single sportswear store in 1989. It stocked third party brands, but only spanning sportswear and leisurewear, and continued on largely as it was without vast growth or business development until 2004 when it was purchased by Sir Tom Hunter.
Within four years of the purchase, the firm went into administration but was bought again to save it. In 2011, the entire chain was sold to Sports Direct, owned by Mike Ashley, who already had good experience in managing a rapidly-expanding sportswear brand business. Ashley also bought the fashion retailer Republic to stop them from going under and merged the two. Many stores were closed over this period, and it was these closures that saw many consumers lose faith or forget who USC was.
The do have exciting in store events and the latest fashion news too which we like. If you enter a valid email then you can sign up to their newsletter to give you the best updates (they do use cookies to give you the best customer experience possible just so you know).
GET STUDENT DISCOUNT >However, by 2015, things were chequered again for USC. Media reports were that Ashley was preparing to place the brand into administration. The administrators restructured the business to streamline it and avoid further losses, and things began to look positive again. The brand portfolio expanded vastly, and fashion labels began to flock back to USC, helping the business grow and develop. If you’re looking for a USC student discount, then have a look at our complete guide, where we guarantee a 10% code plus more money-saving tips and latest fashion news.
ABOUT THE STORE
For less formal looks, Levi Jeans can be found at USC – a bonus, as their standalone high street stores, are few and far between. You’ll also find Quiksilver, Fire Trap, G Star, Calvin Klein and Kangol. And staying true to their sports roots, premium sporting brands including Puma, New Balance, Skechers and Slazenger are all stocked too for click and collect orders. With so few high street stores, and their space being limited given the number of labels that USC offers, shopping online is the best way for you to be able to gain access to the full range of fashion designers on offer.
Seasonal sales offer further money-off promotions year-round. Pre-orders can be made for fashion collections that are yet to be released on general sale, and any returns that need to be made can be done so for free. You can also pay by PayPal through the USC website: so if you’ve managed to make some extra cash online through eBay or other online sales sites, this could be the place to spend it!
If you’re a label junkie who loves the lastest fashion news, USC is the shopping destination for you, both online and off. You won’t find a better or more comprehensive fashion house range anywhere else and with click and collect orders too they are convenient.
More About the USC Clothing Brand
USC is a fashion retailer found in most big cities across the UK, with a reputation for fun store events and great customer service. Originally standing for ‘United Sports Corporation’, this Scottish-founded business now focuses less on sportswear and more on the latest fashion – and is one of the hottest stockists of branded fashion on the British high street along with excellent customer experience.
The chain is often underrated and disappeared from many high streets in the last few years as the business underwent a restructure, but it is now firmly back in the black and moving from strength to strength with the latest fashion. There are now over 60 stores throughout the country, including a flagship store on Oxford Street and even now a first international store in Belgium, on the infamous Brussels Dock! Make sure you sign up to their newsletter for the latest fashion news and store events.
German luxury fashion house Hugo Boss is notoriously picky with who they allow stocking their ranges, and USC play home to almost their entire ranges of Hugo, Boss, Boss Orange and Boss Green! Polo Ralph Lauren has also chosen USC as a trusted stockist, and they have excellent customer services, offer regular changes of collections through their stores and website spanning all genders of clothing. Headquartered in New York, the label is still run by Lauren himself and he’s now valued at hundreds of billions of dollars and offers click and collect orders!
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
The perfect student enterprise story, Urban Outfitters was founded in 1970 as a project for an entrepreneurship class by classmates Richard Hayne, Judy Wicks and Scott Belair, aged just 23. Originally called Free People, it wasn’t until six years later that the store was incorporated and rebranded as Urban Outfitters.
The first shop was located in a small pop-up space directly opposite the campus of the University of Pennsylvania and stocked the same vintage-inspired goods you’d expect to see from the brand today, but mainly second-hand.
The popularity of this first branch allowed the brand to expand, and to open its own wholesale and design arm. Today, Urban Outfitters is the founding brand of the URBN Group, which now includes Anthropologie (based primarily in the US, and aimed at the same sector as Urban Outfitters but a slightly older demographic), Free People (focusing on natural and organic fashion), Terrain (an urban garden centre chain), BHLDN (a bridal brand), and The Vetri Family portfolio (restaurants of primarily Italian eateries). It’s now a multi-million-dollar worldwide group of brands and continues to enjoy global success.
BEST BUYS
Urban Outfitters has a great range of funky fashion and homewares to jazz up uni life but the savings don’t stop there. The Student Squirrel has been on the lookout for some of the best bargains for you clever learners and this is what we found.
ELLESSE GIOTTA WOMEN’S PLAYSUIT
Often considered a summer staple, a playsuit is actually a piece that can be layered up in a variety of ways for year-round wear. Wear on its own for an effortless hot weather ensemble, or team with a tee (plain or a band/vintage brand one), leggings or tights and lots of accessories for warmer wear and glam up with jewellery and shoes!
This short and sporty playsuit has basic Ellesse branding on the chest and is made of light cotton and polyester. It can be machine washed for easy cleaning and will see you through all seasons and occasions effortlessly!
URBAN OUTFITTERS THANK YOU SWEATSHIRT
This sweatshirt is listed in the menswear section but realistically is unisex and can be worn by anyone! A light blue sweatshirt in a light cotton blend, this looks like a plain item from the front but the back has the lovely bold ‘Thank You Have a Nice Day’ message.
It’s a beautiful note of positivity that draws in the eyes as you’re walking away or facing the other way, giving people the opportunity to look twice always and, hopefully, leaving them with a smile on their face.
SUNNYLIFE PING PONG SET
OK, so this may not be a ‘homeware’ item as such, but this portable ping pong game will make a great addition to your student flat! This can be stretched out and played on any tabletop surface, held in place by two adjustable net brackets.
The set includes two wooden ping pong bats (decorated like doughnuts because… why not?) and two ping pong balls. Play outdoors or indoors and make this into the must-play feature of your place. Invent drinking games, competitions and work out who needs to do the chores with winner-takes-all tournaments. This small investment will soon become the talk of halls!
If you’re looking for similar offers, you may like to visit the pages below or use our website Student Discount Squirrel. You may also be interested in these specific brand – Vans, Urban Outfitters, Jack Wills and Evans.
