Lush finds global markets to mirror domestic success

Fresh cosmetics group Lush continues to globetrot in the name of expansion, with a raft of exotic summer store openings in Chile, Serbia and the Czech Republic. Five British stores will also open this month.

Lush international retail director Rowena Bird said several Serbian stores were planned, two in Belgrade and a third in Novi Sad, while Chile would host an initial five - three in the capital Santiago.

Bird said: 'In Serbia, they are very fashion conscious and on the look out for new things, so they make excellent customers. It doesn't matter where you go in the world, we find people are excited by our products.'

The retailer now has a presence in more than 30 countries and nearly 200 stores worldwide, with global expansion driven by licensing agreements and partnerships. New countries on the horizon include Romania and India, with Lush fielding up to 100 enquiries a month from potential licence-holders.

The Poole-based retailer continues to pursue expansion on home turf.

Outlets will open in Hull, Reading, Bromley, Maidstone and Worcester during June, taking Lush's high street presence to 48 stores.

Lush sells own-brand soaps and cosmetics throughout the world, but has separate manufacturing, UK retail and international operations.

Most recent accounts filed at Companies House for Lush Retail - covering wholly-owned shops in the UK, Ireland and Holland - revealed a return to profitability in the year to June 30, 2002.

Sales rose from£12.4 million to£14.2 million, generating a pre-tax profit of£0.5 million compared with the previous year's loss of£700,000.