Anna Scholz Queen of Shops in 2008 saw retail guru Mary Portas introduce a failing fashion store in Ascot to Anna and her label in the hope of saving the business and educating the owner in the needs of her plus size customers. After the programme aired the brand saw a 72% increase in sales of the range in Harrods, as well as 35 new retail outlets looking to stock her pieces. The feature even caused annascholz.com to crash due to internet sales and is often referred to as one of the most influential features for the brand. Having been born in
Mary Queen of Shops Portas troubleshoots her way around the UK on a mission to help turn around struggling fashion boutiques. Mary is a leading retail communications expert and is the founder and creative director of Yellowdoor. Her aim is to turn the businesses around and put glamour back into shopping. First, she visits the boutiques while the owners are away. Then she revamps them, gets the shop owners right up-to-date and hopefully helps them to start making money again. In season 3, Mary takes on other retail shops. Mary Queen of Shops premiered in the United States on 14 August 2009 on BBC