Making a French Connection in Japan

French Connection PLC (London) recently signed a licensing agreement with D'Urban Inc. to open stores in Japan.

The new units, which will average between 3000 and 4000 square feet, will offer all the company's French Connection and FCUK brand apparel, accessories and cosmetics. The first store is expected to open in Tokyo in April. A second Tokyo location is slated to open next summer, followed by additional store and concept shop openings throughout Japan.

French Connection now operates 25 U.S. stores, including recently opened Las Vegas and Phoenix locations. Chicago is the site for the next opening, slated for the end of this month, and an 8000-square-foot flagship is expected to open next spring in San Francisco.