Marimekko Corporation, Press release 19 May 2011, 9.00 AM
FOUR NEW MARIMEKKO SHOPS OPEN IN THE US DURING THIS SPRING
As announced earlier this year, Marimekko is extending its collaboration with the prestigious home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel as part of its US expansion strategy. Two new Marimekko shops have already been opened in Crate and Barrel stores this spring: one on Madison Avenue in New York at the end of April and the other in the North and Clybourn store in Chicago at the beginning of May. Starting today, shoppers can also experience the inspiring world of Marimekko design in Los Angeles, at the Crate and Barrel store located at The Grove. On 26 May, a Marimekko shop will open its doors at Crate and Barrel in Union Square in San Francisco. The first Marimekko shop in a Crate and Barrel was opened in the SoHo store in New York City in October 2010.
Crate and Barrel plans to open 18 more new Marimekko shops by the end of the year 2013. The next two shops are scheduled to open in fall 2011. The shops’ range focuses on interior decoration products, including home textiles, ceramics and glassware. In addition, some bags and accessories are also on sale. At the end of April, Crate and Barrel launched an online shop specializing in Marimekko products within its website, www.crateandbarrel.com. The online shop carries the same products as the Marimekko shops in Crate and Barrel stores.
“I am very excited about the fact that as many as four new Marimekko shops are opened within a month by Crate and Barrel in premium locations in some of the largest US cities. We expect these shops to increase the awareness of Marimekko in the US significantly. In September, we will open our own flagship store in the heart of Manhattan at 200 Fifth Avenue. One of the main objectives of the new flagship is to support our valued collaboration with Crate and Barrel. Our first online shop will also be opened in the US – in the coming summer – which will enhance the availability of our products alongside other Marimekko stores across the country. Thanks to the initiatives we have launched in the US since last fall, interest in Marimekko has grown markedly, which encourages us to continue on our chosen path with the aim of winning the hearts of more and more Americans,” says President and CEO Mika Ihamuotila.
For further information, please contact:
Marimekko:
Päivi Lonka, Sales Director, tel. +358 9 758 7430, paivi.lonka@marimekko.fi
Mika Ihamuotila, President and CEO, tel. +358 9 758 71
Crate and Barrel:
Vicki Lang, Director, PR, tel. +1 847 239 6658, vlang@crateandbarrel.com
MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Group Communications
Piia Pakarinen
Tel. +358 9 758 7293
piia.pakarinen@marimekko.fi
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Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design house renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2010, Marimekko's net sales amounted to EUR 73.3 million; the number of Marimekko stores totalled 84 at the year end. The key markets in 2011 are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 390 people. The company's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com
Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by retailing pioneers Gordon and Carole Segal. Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenwares designs affordable to American consumers. Today, Crate and Barrel is an industry leader, known for exclusive housewares and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. In addition to a thriving direct marketing division, the company operates stores in most major North American markets, including Toronto and Calgary, as well franchises in Dubai in partnership with Al Tayer Group. Under the leadership of CEO and President Barbara A. Turf, the Crate and Barrel family of brands includes its more modern off-shoot, CB2, and children’s home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany. www.crateandbarrel.com
