Williams-Sonoma South Korean partner appointed
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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.”
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific Williams-Sonoma brands will launch in South Korea under the new partnership?
Which specific Williams-Sonoma brands will launch in South Korea under the new partnership?
The agreement includes Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and West Elm. Hyundai Livart will have exclusive rights to operate stores, shop-in-shops, and e-commerce sites for all four of these homewares brands.
Q.Where will the first new stores for these brands be located in South Korea?
Where will the first new stores for these brands be located in South Korea?
The first stores opening this spring include a combined Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids store and a West Elm store, both at Hyundai City Mall Garden Five Mall. A Williams Sonoma store will open at Hyundai Department Store Mokdong.
Q.What is the long-term expansion plan for these brands in South Korea?
What is the long-term expansion plan for these brands in South Korea?
Hyundai Livart Furniture plans to open more than 30 stores across the four brands in South Korea over the next decade. Their strategy involves expanding through Seoul and other major cities.
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