Smiggle Asia is thriving, its success here encouraging the stationery retailer’s parent to expand in other global markets.

Smiggle, a subsidiary of Australian listed company Premier Investments, opened three new stores in Hong Kong in the first half of its current trading year and a further two in Malaysia. Both markets now have 13 Smiggle stores trading.

“The brand now expects to have between 17 and 19 stores operating in Malaysia within three years of first opening. This is well ahead of the original plan,” the company said in an earnings filing.

“The Smiggle Asia division had an exceptionally strong half. Singapore, the most mature of the Asian markets, enjoyed strong like-for-like growth with tourists providing valuable insights into potential new Smiggle markets.”

The brand achieved record global sales of A$170.7 million (US$131.6 million) in the first half, up 26.7 per cent on the same time last year, underpinned by the opening of 35 new stores. More than 60 per cent of Smiggle sales during the period were from outside Australia. Smiggle now has 332 stores across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Ireland.

The company will open a global flagship on Oxford Street in London in May as the UK business aims for $200 million in annual sales by next year.