Showroom Opening in China

RNS Number : 9688V

Walker Greenbank PLC

23 January 2012

 



For immediate release

23 January 2012

RNS REACH

WALKER GREENBANK PLC

("Walker Greenbank" or "the Company")

Opening of major showroom in Shenzhen, China

Walker Greenbank plc (AIM: WGB), the luxury interior furnishings group whose brands include Sanderson, Morris & Co, Harlequin and Zoffany, is pleased to announce that its Chinese distribution partner, Ming Wang Company, has opened a major showroom in Shenzhen, a City in southern China with a population of more than 14 million people.

The Shenzhen showroom comprises more than 560 sq m on two floors and is located in Shenzhen's design district. The showroom, which has been created in close collaboration with Walker Greenbank's design teams, is stocked predominantly with wallpapers and fabrics from the Company's four brands together with an extensive range of the brands' lifestyle products including bedlinen, rugs, lighting and towels.

Ming Wang's customer base includes retail and trade buyers, many of which have their own showrooms throughout China.

Walker Greenbank has seen rapid growth in the sales of its brands in China, particularly of wallpapers. In the 11 months to December 2011, it recorded sales up 25% in China compared with the corresponding period.

The Ming Wang showroom, which is already trading, will have its official opening on 9 March 2012 to coincide with major fabric and wallpaper exhibitions in Shenzhen and Beijing. Both of the exhibitions will feature Walker Greenbank's brands.

Jumez Chan, the owner of Ming Wang, said: "Our customers are highly attracted to Walker Greenbank's luxury products because of their English heritage and that the wallpapers, and many of the fabrics, are manufactured in the UK. This exciting and major showroom concept is new to the Chinese market and is the first of its kind in Shenzhen. We look forward to a successful and long term relationship with Walker Greenbank."

John Sach, Walker Greenbank's Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted that Ming Wang has opened this substantial showroom in Shenzhen featuring our wallpapers and fabrics and licensed goods. We wish Ming Wang every success with the showroom, which we believe will accelerate our sales in the Shenzhen region and our penetration into the wider Chinese market."

For further information:

Walker Greenbank PLC	[phone]
John Sach, Chief Executive
Alan Dix, Finance Director
Seymour Pierce	[phone]
Mark Percy/Catherine Leftley - Nominated Adviser
Katie Ratner - Corporate Broking
Buchanan Communications	[phone]
Mark Court / Suzanne Brocks / Sophie Cowles

 

END

 

 

NRAUUVARUUAAUUR