Global Retail Brands to launch House in the UK

HOUSE_STORE_FRONTHomewares and kitchen retailer House will launch its first four stores in the UK next month, with six more locations to open before the end of June.

Parent company Global Retail Brands (GRB) has set its sights on opening 75 stores over the next three years.

Established in Australia in 1978 with a current store network of 170 stores throughout Australia, House’s first UK store will launch at Westgate in Oxford, followed by Meadowhall in Sheffield.

House will also launch an online store in April.

Steven Lew – founder & executive chairman of GRB – said the retailer’s team are “obsessed with everything that is cooking, dining and entertaining.”

“We love launching new brands and being the first to market for our loyal customers,” he said.

The specialty retailer holds up to 4,000 products in its stores and up to 10,000 products online – including cookware, glassware, kitchen gadgets, small electrical appliances, knives and linens

“We are also excited to reveal that we have won the exclusive rights to launch a number of international brands into the UK that are not yet available here,” said Lew.

House will be the latest in a growing number of Aussie retailer expanding into to the UK, including Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings, Typo, Kikki.K, Honey Birdette and Lovisa.

Lew, son of Premier Investments chairman and retail veteran Solomon Lew, is being advised by consultants MMX retail, who is also assisting Premier on its Smiggle UK expansion.

“The House concept has been exceptionally well received since we announced the intended UK launch last Autumn,” said Nick Symons, partner at MMX Retail

“The quality of their store fit-out and their product ranges, combined with strength of the staff, has impressed all the major shopping centre owners and their advisers.

“Landlords have realised that House provides a very different proposition for the customer, with a true omnichannel experience – demonstrating that physical stores combined with a quality online presence, can enhance the overall customer experience and the success of the business.

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