Dive Brief:
- Pottery Barn is expanding into the U.K. this fall, the home furnishing brand announced Monday.
- Starting this fall, the San Francisco-based furniture brand will launch a website for U.K. shoppers with a curated assortment of furniture, bedding, lighting and decor, per the press release.
- The retailer will also introduce its personalized design services online and at home in the region.
Dive Insight:
Pottery Barn is trying to capture customers in a new market as its revenue falters. The Williams-Sonoma subsidiary saw its net revenues decline by 5.2% last year to $3 billion, though fourth-quarter revenues improved 5.1%.
“We are committed to long-term growth and expanding the reach of our brands where we see meaningful market opportunity,” Williams-Sonoma President and CEO Laura Alber said in a statement. “We believe great design and quality craftsmanship have universal appeal and we look forward to bringing Pottery Barn’s signature aesthetic to the U.K.”
Though both Pottery Barn and its parent company saw declines on an annual basis, Williams-Sonoma reached a major milestone following a positive fourth quarter. Fourth-quarter net revenues for the company overall rose 8% to $2.5 billion, as reported in March, and the company was also added to the S&P 500 that month.
Despite economic uncertainty, Williams-Sonoma remains optimistic about Pottery Barn’s future. In an earnings call with analysts, Alber noted that Pottery Barn spent last year significantly reducing “promotional activity, improving margins and setting the groundwork for growth with new product introductions and increased collaborations.”
While many companies have expressed concerns regarding the impact of tariffs on their bottom lines, Williams-Sonoma touted the duties as an opportunity given its scale and supply chain capabilities. The company has tested raising prices on some items to cover the costs of tariffs and that is going well so far, Alber said.
