• Lakeland to launch in Australia in October
  • The kitchen specialist has penned a partnership with The Good Guys
  • Lakeland will open 12 shop-in-shops by October
  • Standalone Lakeland stores and a dedicated Australian website will follow in early 2017

Lakeland will debut in Australia later this this year as the retailer presses ahead with plans to grow its international footprint.

The kitchenware specialist, which revealed its current boss Sam Rayner will be stepping down at the end of this year, will launch Down Under after penning a tie-up with Australian retailer The Good Guys. 

Lakeland will initially open 12 shop-in-shops in The Good Guys stores in October and is set to open its first tranche of standalone stores and a dedicated Australian website during the first quarter of 2017.

The Good Guys will be responsible for managing Lakeland’s Australian operations and will roll out concessions across its stores on a national scale during the next two years.

The move, which comes just weeks after John Lewis unveiled its plans to move into the Australian market, marks the next stage of Lakeland’s international expansion.

The business already has overseas operations in India, the Middle East and Germany.

Lakeland’s outgoing managing director Sam Rayner said there is “tremendous opportunity” for the brand Down Under.

He said: “Our innovative, quality kitchenware ranges align perfectly with Australia’s foodie culture and passion for cooking and baking so we’re confident that our products will prove very popular with Australian consumers.”

Lakeland marketing and international development director, Tony Preedy added: “We are very selective with the markets we choose to enter and Australia’s no different.

“We’re delighted to make Lakeland’s products available to Australian consumers and are extremely pleased to have selected iconic Australian retailer, The Good Guys as our local partner.”

The Good Guys chief executive Michael Ford described the partnership as a “match made in heaven”.

He said: “For The Good Guys this partnership forms part of our growth strategy.

“We have been refining our kitchenware product range over the past nine months and the addition of Lakeland will provide us with a unique solution for kitchenware that puts us well ahead of our competitors.”

Lakeland’s new boss, BP’s Catherine Nunn, is due to take the helm in January and will be the first person outside the Rayner family to manage the family-owned business.

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