U.S. fashion retailer Claire’s enters Bulgaria via franchisee

U.S. fashion accessories retailer Claire’s has entered the Bulgarian market through a master franchise deal for the Balkan country with local Unicorn Retail Group.

The first Claire’s store in Bulgaria has opened in the port city of Burgas, on the Black Sea shore.

Unicorn Retail Group will also open stores in the capital Sofia, as well as in Varna on the Black Sea, Stara Zagora and Veliko Tarnovo in the central  parts of the country by the end of 2015.

“We expect to form a stable relationship with Unicorn Retail Group and to open Claire’s stores throughout all of Bulgaria,” Bill Hoeller, Claire’s Global Franchisee CEO, said in a press release.

Claire’s operates 3,071 owns stores in 18 countries worldwide.

 “Claire’s is a world-known brand, which is especially well accepted by customers, and we aim o make it popular in Southeast Europe, Mariella Ostend, Unicorn Retail Group’s CEO, said.

Claire’s operates 3,071 owns stores in 18 countries in North America, Europe, and China. It also franchises in 29 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and South America.

Unicorn Retail Group was set up in 2010 in Sofia. The company holds the rights for over 30 international fashion brands, including M&Co, Mexx, OVS, Bossini, Shana, Shana, Clarks, and Heach.