Mosaic Fashions is in talks with US department store Bloomingdales about launching trial shop-in-shops for its Coast and Karen Millen brands.

The strategy would take occasionwear brand Coast to the US for the first time. Mosaic chief executive Derek Lovelock said: “We are in early discussions with Bloomingdales to do a trial with Karen Millen and Coast. Clearly, it is a way for testing Coast in the US market.”

Mosaic, which is owned by Icelandic investor Baugur, will launch the pilot outlets for both brands in four undisclosed Bloomingdales stores in spring. Karen Millen has seven shops in the US already.

Separately, Baugur is in talks with luxury US department store Saks about launching a joint bid for the retailer with Dubai-based Landmark Group.

Lovelock said Bloomingdales – part of Macy’s Inc – offers contemporary shops in areas that will respond to Coast’s prom dress-inspired brand.

Bloomingdales reported annual sales of US$2.32 billion (£1.1 billion) in 2006 and has 40 stores in the US at locations including California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Laura Ashley is to open concessions for its home range in four House of Fraser stores starting in the next few weeks. The 2,000 sq ft concessions will debut on Oxford Street, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

A fifth concession will open in High Wycombe in March 2008.

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