Finnish clothing company Marimekko is expanding its operations in all its main market areas.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the main focus for expansion is on China and Japan. The trend in sales in the region has continued to be very strong, says the company.

During 2012, China was opened up as a new market when Marimekko signed a partnership agreement with Hong Kong-based Sidefame. The objective is to open 15 Marimekko stores there by the end of 2016. The first of these was opened in Hong Kong in May 2012 and this year it is intended to open two to three stores.

In Japan, Marimekko’s local partner Look intends to open two new Marimekko stores this year in addition to the 23 stores already open.

Marimekko has also invested more than before in Australia, where it opened two company-owned retail stores in 2012.

Last year, 19 new Marimekko stores and shop-in-shops were opened, 12 of which were outside Finland. This year, the company says the main thrust in expansion will be on opening retailer-owned Marimekko stores and shops-in-shops. It will also invest in the development of business in the stores it opened in 2012.

Marimekko plans to invest a total of more than 3 million euros (US$4 million) on business development this year.

GB