Last week’s Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) trade exhibition revealed that the ambitions of Aussi-based card and stationery retail brand, Kikki.K’s are not confined to opening stores or wholesaling its own brand ranges in the UK.
The design-led company (whose HQ is in Melbourne) has appointed licensing agency, The Partnership to develop a licensing programme for the brand with third parties in the UK.
As Ute Muller, licensing director of The Partnership said: “Kikki.K offers something very different and fresh. The growing number of people working from home and wanting to be surrounded by beautiful designed products was part of the reason why the company started. Through licensing we can extend this onto other products – office furniture, lighting and organised travel being on our wishlist.”
In addition to having its own stores (both in the UK and overseas), Kikki.K also has ‘concessions’ and displays in other leading retailers, including Selfridges, Harrods, John Lewis and Fortnum & Mason.
The launch of Kikki.K’s licensing strategy coincides with the publication of PG’s October edition in which PG columnist Cardsharp picks up on the expansion of a trio of stationery/card retail concepts that hailed from Australia – Kikki.K, Smiggle and Typo.
Australian stationery and gifting retailer, Typo has opened its second UK store at The Bentall Centre, Kingston. The opening follows encouraging sales from the first Typo store in London’s Stratford City and online.
This second UK store is an extension to the existing 200 Typo stores that currently trade in 13 countries.
Known for its quirky, Typo’s wide product portfolio extends across cards, stationery, gifts, travel and tech accessories, bags, lighting and home décor.
Newly appointed UK brand manager Sally Howard says: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our UK footprint. Since the opening of our Stratford store in December last year, we’ve seen great traction both online and in store with sales soaring beyond all expectations. The customers have eagerly embraced all things Typo, and we are more than willing to meet their demands with the new store in Kingston.”
