Crate and Barrel and Marimekko Extend Collaboration Through 2013

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel and Finnish textile and design company Marimekko have announced the planned rollout of more than 20 shop-in-shops in Crate and Barrel stores across the U.S. and Canada over the next three years. The launch kicks off this spring with four new shop-in-shop locations: New York (Madison Avenue), Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In addition, a Marimekko ecommerce 'shop' will be added to the Crate and Barrel website later this season (www.crateandbarrel.com).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110204/NY42696 )

In the home specialty and department store chain category, Crate and Barrel will have exclusive rights to retail Marimekko interior decor products in the U.S. and Canada. These product offerings will include ceramics and glassware, pillows, placemats and fabric-by-the-yard, joining Crate and Barrel's existing licensed Marimekko bedding and bath collections.

Crate and Barrel and Marimekko first collaborated in the early 60s, sharing a common goal of bringing beautiful, useful products into their customers' everyday lives. With the shop-in-shops, the two companies take that inspiration to a new level, adding fresh excitement to the Crate and Barrel shopping experience while introducing Marimekko's bold, colorful designs to a broader audience.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to expand our relationship with a brand we deeply admire and with which we have such an important history," states Barbara Turf, Crate and Barrel CEO and President. "The Marimekko Shop at Soho has been well received and we look forward to introducing this vibrant, joyful collection to many more of our customers across the U.S. and Canada."

Adds Marimekko President and CEO Mika Ihamuotila, "The new contract with our long-time partner Crate and Barrel is a truly significant step for Marimekko. Crate and Barrel's stores are in the best locations in their cities and they are very well-known and successful, so in them Marimekko will have excellent opportunities to reach new audiences interested in original design."

About Crate and Barrel

Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by retailing pioneers Gordon and Carole Segal. Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenwares designs affordable to American consumers. Today, Crate and Barrel is an industry leader, known for exclusive housewares and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. In addition to a thriving direct marketing division, the company operates stores in most major North American markets, including Toronto and Calgary, as well as franchises in Dubai in partnership with Al Tayer Group. Currently under the leadership of CEO and President Barbara A. Turf, the Crate and Barrel family of brands now includes its more modern off-shoot, CB2, and children's home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany. www.crateandbarrel.com

About Marimekko

Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design house which through its timeless and individual, practical and beautiful products wants to create aesthetic experiences for every moment in life for people of all ages. The array of Marimekko design embraces household goods ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags, jewelry and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, the unparalleled patterns and colors of its printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. In 2009, Marimekko's net sales were EUR 72.5 million, of which international sales accounted for 27.3%. Marimekko products are available in roughly 40 countries. The company employs around 370 people. Marimekko's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com

SOURCE Crate and Barrel