Laura Ashley rolls out new stores in Japan

British lifestyle brand Laura Ashley has revealed an expansion plan in Japan with seven new outlets scheduled to open during the first three months of this year.

New Laura Ashley Japan stores will include those in Tokyu Department Store Sapporo, Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, Odakyu Department Store Machida and Keikyu Department Store.

“We will deliver products that beautifully and richly colour your “home” and “living”, including original textiles that are naturally inspired,” the company said in a statement, translated from Japanese. “We will introduce more various items such as women’s wear and home miscellaneous goods.”

The British retailer entered Japan after trading house Itochu acquired the master license rights. The brand was then sold to The World Group under a sublicense agreement. Besides Laura Ashley, The World Group is also managing other house goods and interiors brands, such as 212 Kitchen Store, One’s Terrance, and Timeless Comfort.

Laura Ashley was one of the world’s first high-profile retailers to collapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year.