Australian retailer House to make UK debut next month

House will open a 2,700 sq ft shop on the upper level of Westgate Oxford and has also agreed terms on a 3,000 sq ft unit at Meadowhall, in Sheffield.

The retailer said both stores, as well as a transactional ecommerce platform, will launch in April.

A third store is also poised to open by the end of next month, although contracts are yet to exchange on that property.

As previously revealed by Retail Week, House plans to open 75 UK stores over the next three years after identifying Britain as its preferred market to kick-start an overseas push.

The ambitious expansion plan will create 1,000 new retail jobs.

House, which is owned by Global Retail Brands, currently operates 170 shops, the majority of which are in its native Australia.

The kitchen, cooking and dining specialist’s stores typically carry 4,000 core SKUs including cookware, glassware, small electrical appliances, knives and crockery.

Its Australian website sells an additional 8,000 lines, including products in the bathroom, bedroom, décor and pet categories.

Global Retail Brands founder and executive chairman Steven Lew told Retail Week: “The team at House is obsessed with everything that is cooking, dining and entertaining. We have a genuine love of sharing food, and we believe the kitchen is the centre of the home.

“We are also excited to reveal that we have won the exclusive rights to launch a number of international brands into the UK that are not yet available here.

“We love launching new brands and being the first to market for our loyal customers.”

House has instructed commercial property advisors MMX Retail to find stores across the country as it ramps up its expansion plans.

MMX Retail partner Nick Symons said: “The House concept has been exceptionally well received since we announced the intended UK launch last autumn.

“The quality of their store fit-out and their product ranges, combined with strength of the staff, has impressed all the major shopping centre owners and their advisers.

“Landlords have realised that House provides a very different proposition for the customer, with a true omnichannel experience – demonstrating that physical stores combined with a quality online presence can enhance the overall customer experience and the success of the business.”