Marimekko plans to open 15 stores in Hong Kong and mainland China
Marimekko Asia-Pacific region is already a bigger market for Marimekko than Scandinavia.Marimekko, the Finnish design and clothing company is planning to open 15 stores in Hong Kong and mainland China by the end of 2016. Marimekko has expanded rapidly to Asia and has already 22 stores in Japan and South Korea. In the first eight months of 2011, the company’s sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew by more than 50 percent, and the area became Marimekko’s second-biggest market overtaking Scandinavia.
In China, Marimekko has signed a partnership agreement with Hong Kong-based Sidefame Ltd who specialises in retailing a range of fashion and lifestyle brands. The first store will be opened in Hong Kong this year and the next in Shanghai as soon as suitable store premises are found.
— China is expected to overtake the United States as the world’s biggest consumer market in the next few years, and we want to boost our recognition in time while the market still clearly has room for new and attractive brands, says Marimekko’s President and CEO Mika Ihamuotila.
— Given the development of the Chinese consumer market and the growing appetite for authentic brands, we at Sidefame see a huge potential for Marimekko in China. Sidefame and Marimekko share same values and we look forward to building together a strong presence for Marimekko, commented Managing Director of Sidefame, Anthony Keung.
Sidefame is part of the Fenix Group, and it currently operates 79 stores in China and Hong Kong for different brands, such as Furla, 45R, Anteprima and Atsuro Tayama. Sidefame was also the first to bring Italian fashion brand Prada to Hong Kong.
www.marimekko.com
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