Retail IT News

British children’s apparel and accessories retailer Mamas & Papas plans to open 90 stores in China over next five years, in a move to expand its international retail footprint.

The first store under the plan will be unveiled in Shanghai's Nanjinulu Baodaxiang and is slated to open in December 2012, reported RetailWeek

The proposed outlets will be a combination of standalone stores and shop-in-shops, and will be opened by the retailer's local franchisee Zero to Seven.

Mamas & Papas is also looking to develop a fully transactional Chinese website, due to go live in 2013.

Mamas & Papas deputy chief executive Tim Maule was quoted by the website as saying that the maternity retailer's international business will be bigger than its UK arm in the next two to three years.

"Mothercare is our obvious competitor there, along with its franchise partner Good Baby, which also runs local Chinese brands," Maule added.

"There is a growing middle class in China that wants to buy Western brands. It's essential that we're there."

China expansion is part of the retailer's aggressive international expansion program. During 2012, Mamas & Papas had debuted in Russia, South Africa and Lebanon.

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