The Bombay Company brand to re-emerge in the U.S. with William S. Hollands at the helm
Susan Dickenson -- Home Accents Today,12/08/2009
New management and retail strategies for the Bombay Company operating unit of O
tto International have been announced in connection with the brand's re-emergence in the U.S.
Mitchell Smiles, president of Otto International (a newly formed U.S. division of Otto Group), announced the appointment of William S. Hollands as chief merchant overseeing the Bombay Company operating unit, which manages the U.S. licensing agreement with Bombay Brands LLC. Hollands, a home furnishings industry veteran with extensive retail and wholesale management experience, was vice president of merchandising at the Bombay Company when he left in 2007.
Hollands will segment the Bombay brand in the U.S. as three distinct sub-brands, each to be retailed through a separate channel with a distinct target market. The three divisions will offer a range of furnishings including furniture, home accents, bed and bath, outdoor living, tabletop products, gifts and holiday, and will be sold at high-end department stores and specialty gift stores, mid-tier home retailers and mass/discount chains.
Hollands was instrumental in the development and sourcing of multiple product categories, and grew the Bombay Company during its key era of expansion and evolution. From 1992-1998, he was responsible for buying and product development at Pier 1 Imports, an
d, in 1999, founded his own retail company in Dallas. Most recently, Hollands was senior vice president of merchandising at American Signature, Inc.
“Wil is a fearless entrepreneur who radiates enthusiasm and passion for the Bombay brand,” Smiles said. “His unique experience with Bombay and relationships in the home category, coupled with Otto’s capabilities and resources, bring infinite opportunities to the Bombay brand as it heads in a new strategic direction.”
Hollands said his new multi-channel retail strategy will bring the Bombay brand to more consumers than the company was ever able to reach as a specialty retailer. "Under the ownership of Gordon Brothers Brands and Hilco Consumer Capital, and with Otto International’s product development expertise, we have a tremendous opportunity for growth and evolution," Hollands said. "The Bombay name is still one of the most recognizable names in home furnishings. Demand continues to be high for our products because of the unique and unexpected twists we design into classic pieces, and the fact this is a true lifestyle brand.”
Founded in 1978 as a niche specialty home goods retail concept, the Bombay Company grew to approximately 350 retail stores and nearly $600 million in annual retail sales volume. The brand continues to score at the top of national consumer surveys as one of the most recognized home brand names in the U.S.
About Bombay Brands, LLC - Bombay Brands, LLC (www.bombaybrands.com) is a brand management company that owns, markets and licenses the Bombay trademarks globally. Since its formation in Feb., 2008 by a joint venture between Hilco Consumer Capital-Toronto and Gordon Brothers Brands-Boston, Bombay Brands has partnered with best in class companies to revitalize, extend and maximize the Bombay brand globally across multiple categories within the home furnishing and accessories industries.
About Otto International - Otto International (OI) (www.ottoint.com) is the U.S. division of Otto Group, a global trading company with extensive holdings in the home furnishings industry. With more than 40 years of sourcing experience, OI offers a wide range of products including apparel, sports, lingerie, footwear, furniture, home textiles and electrical/electronic products.
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| Submitted by: | Catherine Roper 1/13/2010 7:25:47 AM PT |
| Location: | Atlanta |
| Occupation: | Accounting |
I love this store!I'm so excited!
| Submitted by: | Gini Clifford 1/12/2010 6:11:52 PM PT |
| Location: | Knoxville, TN |
| Occupation: | Medical Practice Administrator |
I can't wait!
| Submitted by: | John Haas (jonsjon@sbcglobal.net) 1/9/2010 10:40:50 AM PT |
| Location: | Lisle Illinois |
| Occupation: | Office Manager |
I felt like I lost my best friend when Bombay closed its doors. My home is a Bombay home and I miss the store so very much. Just for kick I typed in Bombay compay just to see what would happen and I cam across this article and I am so EXCITED Pleae hurry!!
| Submitted by: | Donna Arceneaux (mossey@loyno.edu) 1/2/2010 12:31:11 PM PT |
| Location: | Louisiana |
I love Bombay products and cannot wait until they return to the U.S. How do you order products from the Canada stores. I was told they do not ship to the U.S.
| Submitted by: | G Rodriguez 12/26/2009 8:47:41 PM PT |
| Location: | New York |
| Occupation: | Consultant |
The Bombay Company will be very much welcomed back in the U.S. I'm already writing my "wish list"!
| Submitted by: | Sumi Zoe 12/18/2009 10:48:22 AM PT |
| Location: | Atlanta, GA |
| Occupation: | Mom of two |
I can't wait to shop gorgeous bombay furniture pieces! Hopefully very soon?
| Submitted by: | Unker John 12/15/2009 10:04:48 AM PT |
| Location: | TX |
| Occupation: | Retired |
After the closure of US Bombay, i still shop from Canada Bombay. The quality and styling is much better. Still I'm happy to hear the news of Bombay brand name flourish again .
| Submitted by: | Mercedes Beene (msbcomm@aol.com) 12/15/2009 9:55:23 AM PT |
| Location: | Georgetown, Texas |
| Occupation: | Retired communications executive |
This is the best retail consumer news I have heard in a long time. I have been shopping Bombay Company since the early 90s (first in DC/VA,then Texas) so you can imagine how disappointed I was when the shop doors were shuttered. Bombay Company helped me to refine and sharpen my decorating style. Hurry back.
| Submitted by: | BETTY HUGHES 12/13/2009 4:23:46 PM PT |
| Location: | SAN FRANCISCO CA |
| Occupation: | MEDICAL FIELD |
PLEASE HURRY AND BRING BOMBAY BACK TO THE U.S. ITS' LIKE
AN ADDICTION (CHOCOLATE VS BOMBAY) MY ENTIRE HOME IS
FURNISHED BY BOMBAY!!!!!
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