Michael Kors Expands Off Shore

As part of its plan to expand in Southeast Asia, Michael Kors Inc. has partnered with the Valiram Group to bolster business and open stores in Malaysia and Singapore.

The first freestanding Michael Kors store in Malaysia is scheduled to bow in August in the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The 3,500-square-foot boutique will showcase ready-to-wear, handbags, small leather goods, footwear, eyewear, watches and fragrances from Michael Kors, Kors Michael Kors and Michael Michael Kors.

The debut of the company’s first Singapore boutique is also slated for August. It will be housed in Scotts Square, a luxury shopping center opening later this year in the city’s busy downtown shopping district not far from the Grand Hyatt and Marriott hotels.

John D. Idol, chief executive officer of Michael Kors, said, “We are excited to partner with a company that has a long history of growing luxury brands throughout Malaysia and Singapore.”

In the past five years, Michael Kors Inc. has executed a multitiered strategy to broaden its presence throughout Asia. Kors first dove into the Asian market in 2006 by joining forces with Simone Korea and has since opened 31 points of sale. In March 2010, Michael Kors Japan KK, a wholly-owned subsidiary, was established. Earlier this year Michael Kors Inc. unveiled plans to open a boutique in Hong Kong’s Peninsula Hotel. There are also plans to open 50 retail locations in Greater China over the next three years.

Founded in 1935 in Kuala Lumpur, the Valiram Group initially specialized in textiles before becoming a luxury goods and travel-retail specialist. It now also has offices in Singapore, Sydney and Jakarta, Indonesia. via - WWD