UK-based fashion chain River Island has introduced international shipping from its website to more than 100 countries.

Like many of its rival chains, it is looking offshore online for sales growth as the domestic retail market remains depressed. It currently has a store in Singapore’s ION on Orchard shopping centre in partnership with the Robinson Group.

From this month, River Island will deliver to Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Pakistan, Phillipines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, promising delivery time of seven times for a flat rate of 10 pounds, (about US$10). 

For the same fee it will also ship to Bangladesh and China within seven days and to the Maldives within 10.

River Island dates back to 1948 but went through several name changes before adopting its current branding in 1988. It has 248 stores in the UK and others in the Middle East, Turkey, Poland and Ireland.

Retail Week reports the chain hopes it will increase its global customer base across Europe, Central and South America, Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and Russia by offering shipping.

The retailer’s website, www.riverisland.com, offers the full range of products – mens, womens, girls and boys wear, along with accessories and jewellery.

Retail Week reports the move to international shipping follows the commencement of a store rollout program in Russia, Poland and the Benelux regions. It has also opened a large store in the new Westfield Stratford centre in London.

“The launch of International shipping is a huge step forward for the River Island brand,” said CEO Ben Lewis.

“We are confident that this step will increase our brand awareness in new markets worldwide and in turn support the current international store network by offering our customers the additional opportunity to shop at River Island online 24 hours a day.