Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Marimekko, a Finland-based design house company, has announced its expansion to Malaysia and Vietnam through a loose-franchise partnership with Jaspal Group.
The expansion, which takes effect within this year, will have Marimekko stores open up in these markets, as well as activating online stores to provide an omnichannel experience for customers.
The first Marimekko stores in Malaysia will be located in Kuala Lumpur: one in the KLCC mall at the world’s highest twin towers and another in The Exchange TRX mall.
Meanwhile, Marimekko stores in Vietnam will be opened in the Lotte Mall Westlake in Hanoi and in the Takashimaya mall in Ho Chi Minh City later this year.
Natacha Defrance, senior vice president of sales for Region East at Marimekko said, “We are delighted to launch Marimekko in Vietnam and Malaysia together with our new partner Jaspal Group. These fast-growing markets provide interesting opportunities for Marimekko’s international growth and hence support our company’s objective to scale the Marimekko business in the upcoming years. We look forward to introducing Marimekko’s joyful lifestyle concept to customers in both countries.”
Meanwhile, Yosathep Singhsachathet, deputy CEO at Jaspal Group, commented, “We are excited to start collaborating with Marimekko. We see a growing interest in Asia towards the Finnish design house renowned for its bold prints and colors, so now is a good time to make Marimekko available to local consumers and tourists alike in Vietnam and Malaysia. We look forward to start building the Marimekko growth story with the first shops and online stores in 2023.”
During the strategy period of 2023–2027, Marimekko will focus on scaling its business and growth especially in international markets. Asia is the most important geographical area for Marimekko’s international growth, and the company sees growing demand for its brand in the region.
In June 2023, Marimekko announced its plans to expand its store network to Singapore, where the first store opens in September 2023.
