RM Williams coming to China

Jul 10, 2018Updated Jul 10, 20181 min read

Boot retailer RM Williams will open stores in China later this year, according to a report by the Australian Financial Review.

The decision to expand into the fast growing consumer market was made by brand-owner L Catterton Asia, with chairman Ravi Thakran telling the AFR he expected at least a 50 per cent lift in earnings and a 40 per cent increase in sales supported by the expansion.

The Chinese market has been rapidly proving its worth to retailers, with Starbucks China vowing to double its store-countover the next five years and Prada sales slipping in every market barring China, where it saw a modest 4.6 per cent growth.

A recent report by Azoya Consulting and Frost & Sullivan found that 87 per cent of local brands view the market as a lucrative opportunity – with over 500 million online shoppers in China.

The study found that Australian retailers are moving to invest in their owns paths to the Chinese market, hoping to sell directly to the consumers rather than through e-commerce platforms.

Tags

About the author

Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox