Singapore’s fashion retailer FJ Benjamin (FJBN.SI) plans to expand its presence in Hong Kong and China as it seeks to diversify beyond its core Southeast Asian market, its chief executive said on Wednesday.

But the company is retreating from Australia where it is handing over management of five La Senza lingerie stores, leaving it with a single outlet to sell its in-house fashion label Raoul, CEO Nash Benjamin said in an interview with Reuters. 

 

Benjamin said the company plans to open 15 stores in the next 12 months, including several in Hong Kong where it recently announced plans to open a outlet selling Goyard luggage from France. 

 

As for China, the plan is to promote the Raoul range of business and smart casual wear for men and women, which has already gained a strong following in Singapore and Malaysia.  

 

“Previously we could not enter the Chinese market because we were not ready with Raoul as we did not have a northern hemisphere winter collection,” Benjamin said.