Tommy Hilfiger, the US fashion retailer, is now as familiar as a corporate credit as for its distinctive red, white and blue designer clothing. Last week's novelty $150m (&euro171m) bond issue for Tommy Hilfiger, sold to US retail investors, has highlighted a market that has avoided the limelight in a record-breaking year for fixed income. The US retail bond market is quietly heading for a stellar year of its own.

Bankers in New York and London are now hoping to persuade European corporates to consider tapping the US retail investor base. They say that there are two main requirements for issuers: registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and name recognition among US retail bond investors.