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Tag: Williams-Sonoma

  • Reliance to open Pottery Barn in India

    Reliance to open Pottery Barn in India

    Williams-Sonoma and Reliance Brands plan to launch Pottery Barn and West Elm in India through a franchise agreement. The opening of the brands’ first stores will be in Mumbai in early 2020, along with the launch of e-commerce websites.

    President and CEO of Williams-Sonoma Laura Alber said the partnership with Reliance marks part of the company’s continued global expansion. “We are looking forward to opening our first stores in Mumbai and introducing our distinctive brands, excellent customer service, and exceptional products to customers in India.”

    Executive VP, Global of Williams–Sonoma Ronald Young said the company currently operates its own and franchised stores across the world with company-owned stores in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

    “Our franchise network includes countries throughout the Middle East, South Korea, the Philippines and Mexico. Adding Reliance to our franchisee network is a significant step in our continuing global expansion.”

    President & CEO of Reliance Brands Darshan Mehta said the company is confident of the  success of Pottery Barn and West Elm in India, believing the brands’ heritage and designs will resonate with Indian consumers.

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  • First Williams-Sonoma Korea stores open

    First Williams-Sonoma Korea stores open

    Williams-Sonoma has opened its first stores in Seoul, South Korea under its strategic franchise agreement with home goods retailer Hyundai Livart Furniture.

    Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids opened a combined store and West Elm opened a store at Hyundai City Mall Garden 5. Williams Sonoma opened at Hyundai Department store Mokdong. These openings are the first of 30 stores from the Williams-Sonoma portfolio expected to open across South Korea over the next 10 years.

    “This is an exciting milestone in our global expansion,” said Laura Alber, Williams-Sonoma president and CEO.

    Hyundai Livart, an affiliate of Hyundai Department Store Group, operates Livart, Livart Neoce, Livart Ismine, Livart Kitchen, Livart Kids and H.Mondo.

    The Korean launch follows Williams-Sonoma’s overseas forays into Canada, Australia and the UK, and the franchise of its brands to third parties in the Middle East, the Philippines and Mexico.

    “By the end of this year Williams-Sonoma will be represented at more than 145 international retail locations,” said Ronald Young, executive VP, global of Williams–Sonoma. “As we begin our partnership with Livart opening our first four stores of many to come in South Korea, we look forward to the tremendous opportunity of continuing our global expansion.”

    Hwa-Eung Kim, representative director and CEO of Hyundai Livart Furniture, said the company was looking forward to opening additional stores in Seoul and in other major cities across South Korea soon.

    This October, the two companies will open a five-story flagship store in Nonhyun-dong, Seoul. The superstore will include Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West Elm, and will represent the first time three Williams-Sonoma brands are offered in a single standalone location. An additional Williams-Sonoma store will be opened in the Hyundai City Mall Daegu branch in the latter half of this year.

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  • Williams-Sonoma South Korean partner appointed

    Williams-Sonoma South Korean partner appointed

    Williams-Sonoma South Korea will launch in Spring after the US homewares brand appointed a local partner.

    Hyundai Livart Furniture, a leading Korean furniture manufacturer and distributor and an affiliate of Hyundai Department Store Group, will have exclusive rights to operate stores, shop-in-shops, and eCommerce sites for Williams Sonoma and sister brands Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm.

    Livart will open more than 30 stores in South Korea over the next decade across the four brands, the first of which are scheduled to open this spring, including a combined 924sqm Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids store and a 700sqm West Elm store at the Hyundai City Mall Garden Five Mall, and a 297sqm Williams Sonoma store at Hyundai Department Store Mokdong.

    “We are pleased to announce our latest strategic global expansion with our new franchise partner, Livart,” said Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “Livart’s market expertise and extensive retail footprint in South Korea will enable us to deliver the same high quality of service that we provide in the US and around the world. Livart is the best partner to help bring our brands to the Korean market,” she said

    Hwa-Eung Kim, representative director and CEO of Hyundai Livart Furniture, said the franchise agreement will help strengthen the company’s competitive advantage in the domestic premium home furnishings market by complementing existing Livart brands.

    “We plan to leverage our diverse distribution channels to expand strategically through Seoul and other major cities.”

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  • West Elm owner enters South Korean market with new franchise partner

    West Elm owner enters South Korean market with new franchise partner

    US-based Williams-Sonoma, the business behind furniture brand West Elm, has confirmed that it has agreed a new franchise partner with Hyundai Livart Furniture Co. Ltd, expanding its South Korean presence.

    Hyundai Livart, a Korean furniture manufacturer and distributor and an affiliate of Hyundai Department Store Group (HDG), will have exclusive rights to operate stores, shop-in-shops, and e-commerce for brands in the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio including Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm.

    Over the next 10 years, Livart is expected to open more than 30 stores in South Korea across four Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands, with the first scheduled to launch this spring, which include a West Elm outlet at the Hyundai City Mall Garden Five Mall and a Williams Sonoma store at the HDS Mokdong branch.

    Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc, said: “We are pleased to announce our latest strategic global expansion with our new franchise partner, Livart. Livart’s market expertise and extensive retail footprint in South Korea will enable us to deliver the same high quality of service that we provide in the United States and around the world.”

    Hwa-Eung Kim, representative director and CEO of Hyundai Livart, added: “This franchise agreement will help strengthen our competitive advantage in the domestic premium home furnishings market by complementing existing Livart brands, and we plan to leverage our diverse distribution channels to expand strategically through Seoul and other major cities.”

  • West Elm Philippines makes debut

    West Elm Philippines makes debut

    West Elm Philippines, the furniture chain of Williams Sonoma, has opened its first store in Manila.

    The store, located in the new Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City. It will compete with Crate & Barrel, which made its Philippines debut last year, and complement another Williams Sonoma brand Pottery Barn.

    While skewed towards complete furniture solutions, West Elm also stocks a comprehensive range of homewares. It positions itself as creating “unique and affordable designs for modern living”.

    One standout feature of West Elm Philippines is that it works with local Filipino producers to stock their products, not just imported goods.

    Among locals to feature in the store are Filipino Capiz Artisans, a co-op of family owned businesses preserving traditional capiz handcrafts, including Capiz Chandelier and Pendant lighting; Filipino Weavers, known for their skilled weaving, braiding, twisting and knits using innovative techniques passed down through generations to create braided storage containers; and Santo Tomas Potters, Pampanga-based creators of hand-thrown, hand-cast and hand-painted ceramics.

    Jim Brett, president of West Elm, said he believes there is “a tremendous appetite for well-designed, finely crafted home goods and furnishings” in the Philippines.

    The 7000 sqft store has opened showcasing the brand’s summer collection which includes furniture, bedding, bathroom accessories, rugs, window textiles and hardware, lighting, decorative accessories, dining, kitchen products, and gifts. It also offers services at Design Lab, where customers can partner with design specialists for complimentary consultations and space planning sessions.

    West Elm currently has 71 retail stores in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. The Philippines is its first Asia market, and it has an unaffiliated franchisee operating stores in the Middle East.