Laura Ashley heads to 70th anniversary after year in which UK sales soared

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 12, 2022

Laura Ashley is getting ready for the brand’s 70th anniversary in 2023 with further expansion on the cards and a series of new collaborations that celebrate prints from the past seven decades.

The reviving print-focused heritage brand said it has seen a “bumper year that saw its UK retail value increase by 27%”. That rise is down to continued expansion into new retail outlets such as John Lewis and M&S and with upholstery now available at sofas specialist DFS. 

The brand has also expanded into new product categories, including electronics, and extended distribution so that in the UK, 600 retailers are now stocking Laura Ashley products, while it’s also continuing its long-standing relationship with Next.

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Owned by Gordon Brothers since 2020, the takeover came after the stock exchange-listed firm collapsed into administration at the start of the pandemic.

The brand now has multiple dedicated UK licensees and a product portfolio close to 3,000 items. As it celebrates seven decades, the collection is set to grow via more new product categories, from craft to pet accessories. It’s also bolstering its presence in lifestyle with new-season product ranges in development, including a new fitted kitchen range and new gardening ranges launching in the spring.

Its anniversary year will also see it unveil an exclusive collection with Mamas & Papas, other collabs and global expansion to new markets including Australia (with home textiles, childrenswear and a womenswear collaboration) and new stores in Japan and Korea.

Carolyn D’Angelo, Managing Director, Gordon Brothers Brands and President of Laura Ashley Global, said: “We have big plans for Laura Ashley, from partnering with Britain’s best loved brands to stepping further into the fashion sphere with multiple collaborations. We’re also expanding our global store portfolio. Our ambitious targets will see the brand continue to grow in the UK and beyond.”