AN exclusive store that sells handbags costing anything up to £4000 is to open a new store in Glasgow.

Mulberry, which is popular with film stars such as Scarlett Johanssen and Kate Winslet and television presenter Cat Deeley, will open its doors in the Merchant City in late May.

The English-based accessories company already has a successful concession in Frasers on Buchanan Street, but this will be its first dedicated store in the city.

The company opened a branch in Edinburgh last year and store chiefs say they have always been keen to come to Glasgow.

As well as women's and men's handbags, the 1200 sq ft shop will also sell a range of upmarket purses, belts and scarves.

A Mulberry spokeswoman said: "The Edinburgh store has been such a huge success we have been looking to build on this in Glasgow. The right space came up, so it was a perfect time to take it.

"It is great to be able to increase our presence in Scotland and build on our customer base there."

Mulberry is the latest in a long line of designer brands to flock to the Merchant City.

Luxury lingerie company Agent Provocateur will open its first Scottish store there in May, joining the likes of All Saints, Cruise and Viyella.

Meanwhile, furniture store The Pier is preparing to move out of the city centre - for Easterhouse.

Its shop in Buchanan Street is to shut in May, but the company will be moving to a bigger store at the Fort.

Bosses say the new 15,000sq ft unit, sited between Boots and New Look, will allow them to display more stock than ever before.

Other big retailers already at the Easterhouse centre include Zara, Borders and TK Maxx.

Phil Goodman, centre manager at Glasgow Fort, added: "This is good news for shoppers.

"We are delighted to welcome the Pier because it will complement the variety of other homeware stores we have in place.

"By adding to our already impressive portfolio, Glasgow Fort is continuing to provide greater choices for our customers."

Following The Pier's relocation, computer company Apple is expected to move in to the Buchanan Street site in the summer.

The building, which is set to undergo a £1million facelift, will be the company's first store in Scotland.