Australian stationery chain Smiggle says it aims to bring fun and jobs to the UK, at the opening of its first British store
Smiggle opened its doors at Westfield Stratford City last Thursday. The company is set to open a further three outlets across the UK in March. 25 stores are scheduled to be operating in the UK by the end of the year with a goal of 200 British Smiggles by 2018. The company estimates the plan will create 3,000 new jobs in the UK.
Smiggle group general manager John Cheston said: “We’ve been planning this for a long time now and we’re absolutely thrilled to open our very first UK store.
“We visited many times and felt that the large number of families, children and students who shop at the centre would immediately enjoy our store and products.
“The great location, transport options and immaculate facilities of the centre all helped make our decision to open here an easy one!
UK Trade and Investment chief executive Crispin Simon said Smiggle is great news for the British economy.
“I am delighted to see Smiggle make their first investment in the UK after working with UKTI both here and in Australia,” he said.
“We’ve worked closely with them, providing advice, access and support to help them break into this market and announce exciting plans to create 3,000 jobs in 200 new stores over the next five years.”
Founded in Melbourne in 2003 and popular Down Under for its fun style, Smiggle operates 160 stores across Australasia and the South Pacific. The Westfield Stratford (London) Smiggle store is the group’s first foray in to the Northern Hemisphere.
