Mothercare, the struggling UK retailer specialising in products for expectant mothers and general merchandise for children, has expanded to Sri Lanka.

The company will open stores in partnership with local company Softlogic Holdings.

The first store has opened at R.A. De Mel Mawatha in Colombo. The two level store offers wide range of maternity and children’s clothing, furniture, bedding, feeding, bathing, travel equipment and toys for children aged up to eight years.

The store also includes the retailer’s affiliated brand Early Learning Centre, a designer and retailer of toys and other children’s products primarily for the 0-6 year age range.

“Softlogic was chosen to charter the brands in the country after about one year negotiation process to find the right franchise partner and there is potential to open more stores in the future in Sri Lanka,” said Stuart Wilson, operations head for Mothercare.

The addition of Mothercare in the portfolio is an important milestone in Softlogic’s retail business, says chairman Ashok Pathirage.

Softlogic also plans to enter the department store business by opening a mini-department store in Colombo.

With a growing economy and increasing per capita income, Sri Lanka is now getting ready to accept high-end products, says Pathirage.

Softlogic also represents brands including Levi’s, Giordano, Nike, Mango, Samsung, Panasonic, Candy and King Koil.

GB