Shoppers’ Stop To Build-A-Bear In Their Stores

Agency Faqs:

K Raheja Group-promoted Advertisement retail chain Shoppers’ Stop is launching
US-based interactive kids brand, Build-A-Bear in their stores soon through the shop-in-shop format.

“We will initially launch the brand through the shop-in-shop format and look at the prospects of standalone stores later,” Shoppers’ Stop CEO Govind Shrikhande said.

Shoppers’ Stop will have a three-year non-exclusive agreement with the Murjani Group, which is bringing the brand into India, he added.

Founded in 1997, Build-A-Bear is a mall-based retailer that allows children to design their own stuffed animals. The retailer had 271 company-owned retail stores in the US, Canada, the UK, and Ireland as on December 30.

Of those stores, 232 are Build-A-Bear Workshop stores located in the US and Canada and 38 are located in the UK and Ireland. Revenues for the company during the 2006 fiscal stood at $437.10 million.

It has about 30 styles of stuffed animals, plus clothing and accessories for bears. It also has e-cards and a book club, plus tie-in at Kids Apparel retailer too. The retailer had, in April 2006, acquired The Bear Factory and its UK franchisee, Amsbra.