News UK, a subsidiary of News Corporation, has acquired the owner of lifestyle etailer The Handpicked Collection for an undisclosed sum.

Through its purchase of Handpicked Companies, News UK said it will look to widen the etailer’s net of customers through promotions across its titles The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Handpicked Collection was founded in 2007 and sells a range of products including lamps, beach chairs and books.

The Handpicked Collection brought in former Lands’ End UK managing director Tim Curtis as an advisor last April to help with growth and improving operations.

The Handpicked Collection chief executive Will Miller said: “The possibilities are vast, and backed by the UK’s leading national newspapers we believe this opens up an incredibly exciting evolution in the ecommerce marketplace. The team have worked extremely hard, bringing together their diverse expertise and creativity to build the company up from the simple idea it was in 2007, to what it is today.”

News UK chief executive Mike Darcey said: “World class journalism will always be at the heart of the News UK offering, but as part of our business development strategy we are eager to seek out opportunities to deliver added value to our loyal readers. The quality of the goods offered by The Handpicked Collection are a natural fit for the audience of The Times and The Sunday Times and this acquisition will enable us to build ever deeper relationships with them.”