The chief merchandise officer of Princess Polly, Courtney Dres, has confirmed with Ragtrader that more store openings are on the cards in both Australia and the United States in 2026.
“While we can’t reveal confirmed locations just yet, we do have plans to open more stores across Australia and the US in 2026 at key locations we know our customers will be very excited about,” Dres told Ragtrader.
This comes two months after the once pureplay brand opened its first-ever Australian store in Sydney after sprinkling the US market with a dozen store openings over the last two years. Princess Polly is owned by A.K.A. Brands in the US, which also owns Petal & Pup, Culture Kings and private label mnml.
Dres said the expansion into retail has come from rising customer demand for in-real-life experiences.
“Retail has allowed us to deliver exactly that,” Dres said. “Stepping into our stores feels like stepping into the brand itself: curated styling moments, viral trends brought to life, and spaces intentionally created for discovery, content, and connection.
“Opening physical stores across Australia and the US has not only elevated brand visibility but also unlocked new opportunities to engage with customers on a deeper, more personal level.
“Ultimately, retail hasn’t just extended our footprint, it’s strengthened the emotional connection people have with Princess Polly and opened up fresh avenues for growth, community-building, and brand love.”
Dres said the new Sydney store, located at Westfield Bondi, shares the same design elements as its US locations. The product mix is tailored to Australian seasonality and trends.
“It’s also one of our most immersive spaces to date, featuring first-to-market (outside of Asia) transparent window LED technology, alongside a curated store design that incorporates 90s-inspired TVs to enhance the visual storytelling and overall aesthetic.”
A.K.A. Brands is publicly listed in the United States. The group overall recorded net sales of US$147.1 million (~A$218 million) in the third quarter of 2025, which was down by 1.9 per cent in the same quarter in 2024.
According to the group, the overall revenue decrease was driven by a 3.7 per cent fall in average order value, driven by temporary supply chain disruptions impacting in-stock levels, that was partially offset by a 2.2 per cent increase in the number of orders, primarily due to growth in Australia and New Zealand.
In a recent US conference, A.K.A. Brands CEO Ciaran Long said Princess Polly makes up half of total group revenue. The Australian brand currently has 14 stores globally and sells online. Princess Polly and Petal & Pup products are also sold through Nordstrom.
Culture Kings has eight stores in Australia, one in New Zealand and one in Las Vegas, USA.
A.K.A. Brands' third quarter financials show also that the US is its biggest market in terms of revenue. In the nine months to September 30, the US market made US$293 million, which was up 7.5 per cent compared to the same time in 2024. The Australia and New Zealand market hit US$127.5 million, up 3.6 per cent.