Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
US housewares chain Williams-Sonoma recently launched an exclusive partnership with London department store Fortnum & Mason.
A collection of more than 35 items, including Fortnum & Mason’s signature teas, preserves, biscuits and hampers, is now available at 100 Williams-Sonoma retail locations and online at williams-sonoma.com. This exclusive partnership is Fortnum & Mason’s first foray into the U.S. with a national retailer.
Williams-Sonoma president Janet Hayes said: “Williams-Sonoma and Fortnum & Mason share a similar heritage of being world-class shopkeepers who are committed to providing customers with exclusive and compelling products that are of the highest quality. We’re honoured to bring one of London’s most iconic brands to our customers in the US.”
Darren Williams, international director at Fortnum & Mason, added: “We’re thrilled to be working so closely with Williams-Sonoma to deliver a taste of Fortnum & Mason to the United States. As a business, discovery is in our genes, and we’re excited at the prospect of introducing Fortnum and our iconic and very British brand to customers across America.”
Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason is one of England’s oldest retailers. The Piccadilly-based department store is known for its extravagant food halls filled with food and gifts. Williams-Sonoma aims to recreate this retail experience in 100 stores with a wide assortment of Fortnum’s teas, including the popular Royal Blend, and tea accompaniments including Piccadilly biscuits, preserves and marmalades. Gift sets featuring several tea blends, as well as a trio of preserves, will also be available.
Fortnum’s hampers, which contain an array of their finest food products, will be available exclusively at williams-sonoma.com. During the holiday season, Fortnum’s traditional Christmas foods, such as Christmas pudding, and Christmas crackers, will be a part of the offering both in stores and online.
In November 2013 Fortnum & Mason opened its second UK store in 307 years at London’s St. Pancras International Station, and in March 2014, its first standalone store outside the UK in Dubai. Both stores offer an edit of Fortnum & Mason products, as well as all day dining options. In November 2014, Fortnum & Mason opened its first standalone airport store and Bar at Heathrow Terminal 5.
