Laura Ashley Revived: Iconic British Brand Snapped Up by US Company
- Marquee Brands, owner of Ben Sherman, acquires Laura Ashley
- Plans announced for new products and collaborations
- Brand collapsed into administration in 2020 after 67 years
Iconic British clothing and homeware retailer Laura Ashley has been rescued from the ashes by Marquee Brands, a US-based company that also owns Ben Sherman. After falling into administration in 2020, the beloved brand is set for a revival, with plans to expand its offerings and attract multi-generational audiences worldwide.
The Revival Plan:
Marquee Brands plans to relaunch Laura Ashley as a full lifestyle brand, developing innovative products and exploring collaborations to leverage its seven-decade legacy.
CEO Heath Golden stated: “We are excited to harness the strong affinity for this iconic brand and drive expansion across new platforms and partnerships.”
The Brand's Fall:
Laura Ashley, known for its vintage-style floral designs and elegant home furnishings, struggled in the face of shifting consumer preferences and declining retail sales, leading to its collapse four years ago.
What’s Next for Laura Ashley?
The existing UK team will remain in place, ensuring the brand's British heritage stays intact as Marquee Brands focuses on reaching key markets worldwide.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented: “Laura Ashley’s return is fantastic news for fans of the brand. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of its timeless designs.”
It's not really fantastic news surely as its now US owned so all profits will go back to the states in the long term and damage our economy. However the UK economy like many other economies are facing a huge recession. Warren Buffet a while back was talking about this being a bad time to invest just before a economic collapse so his investments more recently have been more robust i.e. businesses that still do well in a recession and economic collapse, that could be energy related, food production and retailing, things people always have to buy. In fact at the time Warren hadn't bought anything for a period of time. So this could be a bad investment in a lifestyle brand with more premium prices.
Sad that such an iconic store had to rely on being bought out by a US company. I have fond memories of the store from way back in my college days.