Lee Cooper announces Colombian partner

British denim brand Lee Cooper is pushing forward with its international expansion plans with the announcement of a partnership in Colombia for Autumn/Winter 2014. The global fashion brand is teaming up with Schontal C.I. Limitada to help the denim brand to build

upon its presence in the South American market.

Schontal, chosen for its extensive experience in manufacturing denim textile products and leisure footwear, as well as its history trading their own branded shoes in Colombia. The partnership will see Schontal manufacturing Lee Cooper clothing and footwear for men and women, with a view to offer further brand extensions once the brand has become established in this new market.

The initial business strategy will be for Schontal to focus primarily on a wholesale model, although retail plans including a Colombian flagship could happen towards the end of 2014.

Alan Chiu, president of Schontal C.I. Limitada, said: “Our long term plan for Lee Cooper in the Colombian market is to achieve a good and firm positioning of the brand, paired with good sales numbers, but growing under sure-step’s executions.”

Lee Cooper teams up with Schontal for South American expansion

Commenting on the partnership, Andy Dunkley, CEO of Lee Cooper, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Schontal for the Colombian market. We have been discussing this opportunity for a long time and are glad to be under way.

“This is another step in our expansion across the Americas and we anticipate more announcements in due course. We have now grown our global retail sales beyond 500 million dollars and we will continue this strong growth through 2014 and beyond.”

Last year the brand expanded its Russian operation with the opening of prominent standalone locations in Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as their first franchise store with their Russian partner, retailer LVB. The East London-based denim label also branched out into Estonia and Lithuania after appointing Poldma Trading as one of its European licensees.

Founded in 1908, Lee Cooper has been increasing its global partners over the past few years , and it is currently sold in more than 100 countries.