Princesse Tam Tam: Fast Retailing new motor for growth

Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing – parent group to

Uniqlo, is bidding strongly for its smaller owned brands, including Princesse Tam Tam, Theory or Comptoir des Cotonniers. In particular, the lingerie and swimwear label is set to become the group's new motor.

“We believe the brand (Princesses Tam Tam) has something to bring to the [U.S.] market. With its ‘French touch’, fresh, colourful and sensual approach, it will make a difference,” general manager Pierre-Arnaud Grenade advanced in a recent interview.

Earlier in July, when the Japanese group released its results for the third quarter, the company saw sales at its global brands rise 34.3 percent to 55.1 billion yen. Nevertheless, profit fell due to a contraction at Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse Tam Tam.

"While our low-priced GU casual wear brand continued to generate strong results, the extremely poor weather in Europe this spring pushed performance at France-based Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse Tam Tam below target and the two brands reported a dip in profits," the company said at the time.

However, the Japanese fashion giant has bet for its smaller brand sin an attempt to gain further market share.

The Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.-owned label is set to open a first store in Shanghai this fall as well as a third store in Japan, where its parent company, owner of Uniqlo, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Link Theory, is based.

“Our goal is to open 80 freestanding stores [adding to 152 existing units] within the next three years,” Grenade said in an interview. International sales currently represent one-fifth of the turnover, reported ‘WWD’.