More than 200 jobs will be created with the opening of a string of new stores in Scotland`s busiest shopping district.

Glasgow`s Buchanan Street is to welcome shops including American fashion firm Forever 21 and British clothing company Fat Face as part of a new £70 million retail development.

The Buchanan Quarter stores will open for business opposite the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre on March 22.

The thoroughfare attracts about 91 million shoppers per year.

Forever 21, in its first franchise in Scotland, will employ 150 people and stationery company Paperchase is hiring 40 staff.

Fat Face has filled 15 positions and other stores including footwear brand Skechers and Evans Cycles have yet to confirm how many people they will be looking to recruit.

The 115,000 sq ft lot was purchased by property firm Land Securities in 2009 for just under £10 million.

Development director Nick Davis said: "We are very proud to be investing in Glasgow and enhancing its reputation as the UK's top retail destination outside London.

"As well as transforming what has been, for a long time, a blight on the Glasgow streetscape, we have been able to attract high-calibre global retailers such as Forever 21 and Skechers to Scotland for the first time.

"This is very exciting news for the Glasgow retail scene and shoppers."

The site will also house 49 flats above the shops, with a communal sky garden, gym and residents' lounge.

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Buchanan Street is the busiest shopping thoroughfare in Britain after Oxford Street and this will make a visit here even more attractive.

"The opening of retailers never before seen in the city will bring in even more shoppers from Glasgow and beyond. I am sure this development will be hugely successful."

Linda Chang, global marketing director for Forever 21, said: "Glasgow is known for being fashion forward and serves as a great location for our first flagship store in Scotland and further expansions in the UK."