Cath Kidston buys back Japanese business

By

Monica Karski

Published
Jul 15, 2015

Cath Kidston Group Limited, the global lifestyle brand famous for its floral patterns, on Wednesday announced that it has agreed to purchase the Japanese Cath Kidston franchise business from Sanei International, a subsidiary of TSI Holdings.

The purchase will put control of the brand's second biggest market outside of the UK back into its own hands. Sanei International has operated the Cath Kidston brand in Japan since 2011.

The Japanese business has grown strongly over the last four years with double digit sales growth each year. Volume growth in Japan has been driven by three main categories – home, childrensware and bags. The Japanese business represents approximately 20% of the group’s global retail sales.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kenny Wilson, Chief Executive of Cath Kidston, said: “Japan is our biggest international market outside the UK and a key part of our strategy to globalise the brand. During 2016 we will celebrate our tenth anniversary since opening the first store in Tokyo and we see real opportunities to grow the brand even further across Asia.

Cath Kidston Japan will take full control of the Japanese business from 1 September 2015.