Hobbs teams up with Bloomingdale's to enter the US market

British fashion retailer Hobbs London has teamed up with department store group Bloomingdale's to make its first entry into the US market. This week saw the opening of Hobbs first US store in Bloomingdale's 59th Street store in New York, the first of a series of shop-in-shops to be opened

across the country.

Nicky  Dulieu, departing Chief Executive Officer at Hobbs, commented on its entry into the US saying: "We are extremely excited to be partnering with Bloomingdale's as we make our entry into the US, bringing the Hobbs brand to American shoppers.

We believe customers will be attracted to our rich British heritage and reputation for quality tailoring, footwear, coats, dresses and accessories."

The US offers Hobbs "significant growth"

"The US offers significant growth potential and marks an important stage in the brands evolution, once again demonstrating the strength of Hobbs' international appeal, and the opportunity to open a concession there is a testament of the team's hard work coming to fruition."

Hobbs is set to open five shop-in-shops at selected Bloomingdale's stores by early April, including Chestnut Hill in Boston, The Shops at Riverside in New Jersey and Tysons Corner in Virginia. The stores will range in size, varying from 400 to 1,000 square feet and together will take on a staff of 20 employees.

Clare Dobbie, marketing and e-commerce director at Hobbs, explained to WWD that the label's launch in Bloomingdale's comes after Hobbs witnessed its US online sales "taking off like a rocket" after the launch of its local US online store last year. She added that the online sales in the US have increased by 50 percent during the current financial quarter in comparison to the same period a year ago.

The fashion retailer's luxurious fabrics and modern tailoring have been well received in the US, along with its fitted daywear. Hobbs is set to introduce footwear and coats for the upcoming autumn season. Prices are set to range from 149 dollars for a jersey garment, to 175 dollars for a dress to 225 dollars for their trousers.

Frank Doroff, vice chairman and general manager of ready-to-wear at Bloomingdale's shared his thoughts on the partnership, noting: "Bloomingdale's is excited to offer our loyal shoppers the opportunity to shop Hobbs London for the first time in the US at select locations. Already a destination for other great British designers, we look forward to welcoming the Hobbs brand into the Bloomingdale's family."

Hobbs London opened its first store in Hampstead in 198 and since then has grown to own over 140 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as a number of franchised stores in the United Arab Emirates and Sweden. Although Hobbs recently launched local websites in Germany and Australia, the label currently has no plans to open further stores outside the US.