Noukie’s chief executive Simon-Pierre Gilliot-De Paepe said it could open between 100 and 150 stores in the UK and that the UK and US are the two markets with the biggest potential for the company.
Gilliot-De Paepe said Noukie’s could offer something different to the UK consumer. “At this time, the UK needs new brands and new concepts,” he said.
The toy retailer is scouting for high-profile shopping centre and high street locations nationwide. It held discussions with Bluewater shopping centre in Kent at the end of last month.
It is expected that the UK portfolio will be a mix of company-owned and franchise stores. However, Gilliot-De Paepe said there was also the opportunity for an exclusive UK partnership.
At present, Noukie’s-branded toys are on sale in more than 200 stores in the UK and the company operates a concession in Harrods.
It opened its first stores in Brussels and Paris in 2004, and now has a total of 25 company-owned stores in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Abu Dhabi.The brand is present in 26 countries.
Noukie’s concept includes soft toys, books, clothes, DVDs and a TV series broadcast in 80 countries. The company is negotiating a TV distribution deal for the UK and the US.
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