Childrenswear retailer Adams is to venture into Spain for the first time since its buyout from Sears.
Two Adams stores will open in Madrid early next year in partnership with Spanish footwear retailer Pablo Sky, and more are in the pipeline for Barcelona.
Shops will be run on a franchise basis by Pablo Sky and will stock clothing, accessories and gifts, for children up to eight years old. Adams had 26 own-managed stores in Spain as part of Sears, but they closed in 2000.
Adams multi-channel director Ian Cooper said franchised stores were the preferred route for international expansion, because local expertise could be leveraged.
As part of the venture, Pablo Sky footwear has been introduced in five Adams stores in the UK. Cooper said the brand could be brought into other stores, but it was a question of 'wait and see'. At the moment, Adams is the Spanish retailer's only UK sales channel.
Cooper said the Spanish market was 'quite significant' for Adams. 'We have been looking at the European Union for some time. There are a lot of people in Spain and the demand for the brand is very strong,' he added.
Adams is also looking at Eastern Europe, Russia and the Czech Republic, but no deals have been signed yet. The retailer has 520 UK outlets and 74 international stores - mainly in the Middle East.
Adams opened its first franchised store in Reykjavik, Iceland recently, and plans two stores in Beirut, Lebanon, before Christmas.
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