The Bikkembergs, based in Antwerp, wants to continue its expansion course in the current year. The company continues to focus on the Russian market.
“Russia and the entire area of the former Soviet Union are still among the most important markets for Bikkembergs. Despite the challenges that arise from the restrictions of e-commerce, our wholesale customers and monobrand stores achieve excellent results, ”emphasized Dario Predonzan, General Manager of the Bikkemberg Shacking Society Levitas, which has been a majority for the Chinese Group Guangzhou Canudilo since 2015.
Last year Bikkembergs opened three stores in Russia and three in Kazakhstan and one in Uzbekistan together with a new retail partner, Predonzan said. The expansion plan will continue in the coming years. The aim is to increase the number of shops in the region to 20, said Predozan.
In 2025, too, the Russian market will play an “important role” in the company’s plans despite the “challenges due to the geopolitical situation”, according to a message.
North Africa is also in focus
The focus is also on expansion in North Africa, especially in Morocco and Egypt. After boutiques in Cairo and Casablanca were already opened in 2024, four further new openings in the region are planned.
Bikkembergs will shortly want to target the two giant markets of China and the USA. China is a “future goal” that in the United States the brand has already consolidated its presence through collaborations with well-known retail chains such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue and achieved “promising results” in e-commerce.