Tesco announces international expansion of F&F clothing brand
Tesco has announced plans to open more than fifty new franchise stores for its F&F clothing brand over the next five years in new markets in the Middle East, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
F&F will work with existing franchise partner Al Hokair to launch the new stores as well with a new partner, the Dubai-based Al Futtaim.
The new stores will use the same model as the F&F franchise store opened in Saudi Arabia in May 2012, which Tesco said had played a key role in the successful international expansion of the brand over the last year.
F&F will work with Al Hokair to open new stores in Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Up to six stores are planned this year with the first store due to open in the Kazakh capital, Astana, in June 2013.
In the Middle East, F&F will work with new partner Al Futtaim with several sites set to open across the region from the autumn this year.
Jason Tarry, F&F chief executive said: “We’ve had a strong year and our combination of good quality and contemporary design appeals to customers across the world. I’m excited to see F&F moving into these new markets, where there is an established and growing retail industry.
“Franchising enables us to combine the strength of the F&F brand with the local knowledge and expertise of our partners. This announcement builds on the success of the first franchise stores and demonstrates our commitment to growing the brand internationally through this model – I’m confident these new deals will accelerate our growth.”
The news comes as the F&F Autumn/Winter 2013 collection was unveiled at London’s Somerset House last week. The event was the first time the international collection has been launched with a fashion show in London.
F&F clothing is currently on sale in 12 countries, including stand-alone stores in the Czech Republic and Poland. There are currently 15 stand-alone stores operating under the franchise model in Saudi Arabia.
