JoJo, the multi-channel baby, nursery and maternity retailer is on track with their new stores roll out, having signed two fabulous locations in the past few weeks and with a couple more under negotiation. The new store at 75 Saint George’s Street, Winchester has just completed shop fitting and is due to open next week. The location, just off the High Street is well situated in the previously closed down Blooming Marvellous store, with easy access to parking. As with all new JoJo shop fits, the store is bright and practical offering mums-to-be a gorgeous shopping environment with the added benefits of customer toilets and baby change or nursing facilities. The store will enable JoJo to fully merchandise their aspirational yet affordable maternity, baby and nursery collections.

The second location is a well appointed unit in Multrees Walk, Edinburgh and is due to open towards the end of June. This pedestrian location is found in between John Lewis and Harvey Nichols, with good parking.  The company has had more requests from mail order customers to open in Edinburgh than any other location in the UK. They have long been striving to find the perfect site in the capital and this central location has finally gained their approval. The location provides good local amenities with a fabulously child friendly Italian deli and restaurant just two doors down, plus the advantages of Saint George’s Street shopping within a short walk.

Laura Tenison MBE, founder and MD of JoJo, whose mother is Scottish, is delighted to be opening their first store in Scotland.  “We are aware that brand is well respected in Scotland and I’m relieved to have finally found a store which works for us. We wanted to be near the prime shopping areas of the city but the rents have been prohibitively high for a niche market independent retailer like JoJo Maman Bébé. This site offers our customers easy access and a wonderful array of local stores. Hopefully it will be the first of several Scottish stores.”

Not only is JoJo proof that independent retailers can thrive in these difficult economic times and against the weight of competition from the supermarkets, they have also grown organically and offer customers the individuality that is sometimes hard to find on the high street. These two new stores are both so inspirational and add interest and diversity to the UK’s sometimes homogenous high streets.

With more new stores across the UK under negotiation, this private company, which launched 17 years ago with minimal start-up funding, continues to prioritise ethical business practices above bottom line profit. With a very hands-on attitude to philanthropy, the company proudly supports the Nema Foundation, a charity that works to reduce infant mortality and child poverty in Mozambique. By covering the charity overheads on the ground, undertaking the bookkeeping and fundraising in house and building and maintaining the charity website (alongside all funding school building, education and health projects on the ground), JoJo does more than just ‘tick the box’ when it comes to donating to charity.

Whilst CSR remains high on the agenda, the main purpose of this innovative and inspirational multi-channel retailer is to offer stunning maternity and baby styles, adorable and practical nursery products which are the best available on the market. With a growing e-business achieving 45% of sales, a 200 page catalogue and now 28 stores across the UK JoJo is living proof that Britain could still be a nation of shopkeepers.

ENDS

Information for Editors or Stylists

 For interviews or further company information please contact:

Laura Tenison MBE, Founder & Managing Director:         

pr@jojomamanbebe.co.uk   or 020 7924 3144

To view the JoJo LOOK BOOK for Spring/Summer 2010, please click here http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/media/ss10lookbook.pdf

For press samples or images please contact:

Alice Treherne, PR Assistant:        

alice@jojomamanabebe.co.uk  or 020 7924 3144

JoJo Maman Bébé Press Office is at 72 Bennerley Road, London SW11 6DS

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk   

For further information on our charity:                                  

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/charity.php