MELBOURNE: Accessories powerhouse Mimco is set to double its UK retail presence by Christmas, in addition to retail roll outs closer to home.
The Australian brand has five existing stores in and near London and is scheduled to open sites in Glasgow, Chester, Meadow Hall, Belfast and Cardiff. It also has concessions in 17 House of Fraser department stores across the UK.
Mimco creative director Cathryn Wills said an e-tail site facilitating the UK market is due to be launched in July, with all order fulfilment occurring from a UK location.
“We are investigating advertising opportunities in the United Kingdom with a range of fashion publications, for both print and online,” she said.
Growth in Asia is also planned, following the recent opening of its first Singapore store in March.
“It is about selecting the right locations for the brand, which may include department store concessions,” she said.
In New Zealand, two stores are scheduled to open within the next six months, in Ponsonby and Newmarket in Auckland. It already operates two concessions in the country.
Domestically, new Melbourne stores in Carlton and Southland Shopping Centre are planned before the end of the year, as well as in Broadway, Sydney. It currently has around 48 stores nationally.
“We’ve recently opened a boutique in Byron Bay, as the tourism market is definitely a growing area of opportunity for us,” she said.
The fashion forward brand offers two major collections each year, which are broken up for monthly drops into store. As reported on ragtrader.com.au, Mimco recently expanded its product variety to include a range of sunglasses.
To be released next month, 24 styles will be offered with prices ranging from $150 to $300. Wills said the team of ten designers are also working on boosting footwear and watch categories, in addition to its core of leather bags and wallets.
Mimco’s forthcoming spring/summer campaign will feature international model Emma Balfour.
Mimco was founded in 1996 by Amanda Briskin, before it was purchased by Witchery Holdings in 2007.
Melinda Oliver