Itochu Corporation has acquired the exclusive right of import and distribution and the master license in the Japanese market of the lifestyle brand Laura Ashley, which originates from the UK, said President Yoshihisa Suzuki. The Tokyoheadquartered company is offering the brand through department stores and speciality stores all over Japan.
In offering the Laura Ashley brand under the specific rights, Itochu intends to expand the offering at major department stores, specialty stores and other channels while maintaining the tradition and philosophy of the brand together with sub-licensees. In addition, Itochu will further bolster the value of the Laura Ashley brand and showcase the appeal of the brand to new customer groups through an official e-commerce site and directly managed shops, to be launched with target retail sales of 8.0 bn yen in three years, Itochu said.
Laura & Bernard Ashley, the Founders of the Laura Ashley brand, started a print business using original textiles designed by Laura at their home in London, the UK, in 1953. Since then, their items have expanded into kitchen goods, fashion items and home furnishings. The brand has grown into a lifestyle brand offered in more than twenty countries around the world. In recent years, added.
