The first Marimekko concept store in Canada opens in Vancouver today 14 November 2007. With around 2.1 million inhabitants, metropolitan Vancouver is the biggest metropolitan area in Western Canada. The 180 m2 store is located in trendy Yaletown, a downtown spot known for its hip clothing, shoe and interior decoration shops. North America is one of Marimekko's most important export markets, with very strong growth registered in the last couple of years. This year Marimekko concept stores have been opened also in Yokohama and Nagoya, Japan; Silver Spring in metropolitan Washington DC, the United States; Graz, Austria; and Aalborg, Denmark. Run by independent retailers, Marimekko concept stores are shops that sell exclusively Marimekko products and carry a comprehensive selection of merchandise from all the different Marimekko lines: clothing, interior decoration and bags. Developing and anchoring the concept store idea based on Marimekko's lifestyle thinking represents an important part in Marimekko's internationalisation strategy. The address of the Marimekko concept store in Vancouver: Marimekko Concept Store Vancouver Mekko Designs Inc. 1233 Hamilton Street Vancouver, BC V6B 6K3 MARIMEKKO CORPORATION Group Communications Marja Korkeela Tel. +358 9 758 7238 Fax: +358 9 759 1676 E-mail: marja.korkeela@marimekko.fi Further information: Päivi Lonka, Export Director Tel. +358 9 758 7430 E-mail : paivi.lonka@marimekko.fi www.marimekko.com