Baugur`s Hamleys to ramp up international expansion

Baugur-owned Hamleys is ramping up its international expansion with dates set for entry into a number of new markets. The retailer plans to enter Moscow by the third quarter of next year, with stores in St Petersburg and other big cities to follow. A flagship store is expected to open in Beijing in 2010 and the retailer has plans to open others in Singapore, Poland and the Czech Republic. Hamley’s Chief Operating Officer Guðjón Karl Reynisson said: “International is a major part of our strategy. We want to focus on undeveloped, emerging markets where there are few retailing loyalties.” The retailer is also planning to open four stores in India in the cities of Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi, with the first shop in the country due to open in July 2009. Separately, the retailer is in the midst of overhauling its website to provide better navigation and more customer relationship management opportunities.

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