FashionUnited debuts in Russia

Known for its love for luxury fashion labels, Russia will welcome its very own FashionUnited portal. The international business-to-business fashion platform announces the launch of its Russian site following the recent successful introduction

of FashionUnited Switzerland.

On the launch, Commercial Director Michael Brandon comments: “Russia is the first major step in FashionUnited's expansion plans, and by 2012 we strive to reach over 200.000 Russian fashion professionals. Towards the end of this year, 75% of the global Internet population will be able to use the FashionUnited platform featuring local market information in their native language. We want to connect the global fashion industry, whilst creating more fun and efficiency in fashion.”

Besides offering an online news portal, FashionUnited reaches over 1.3 million industry professionals a month with services such as a job board, weekly newsletters, forum and eMarket place. For many years the cross-media company has been successful in founding country the Netherlands, and expanded into twelve countries over the last decade. Japan, USA and Australia are part of FashionUnited’s International expansion plan.

Olga Steinberg, Country Manager Russia, says: “It is an interesting fact that until now there was no online b2b platform over here that combined trade news, communication tools and industry job boards. Due to historical and economical reasons, Russia’s fashion business community differs from Europe, which is in scope with the specific picture of the branch itself. We are positive about the launch, which promises to become an effective tool for Russian profashionals.”

The move into Russia comes at a time when it is appealing to invest in the emerging market, where consumers have an appetite for luxury brands and fashion companies are growing. Recently, brands such as Jaeger and French Connection opened boutiques in Russia, which also includes ventures in other cities than just Moscow.

Founded in 1998, FashionUnited is an independent Dutch company based in Amsterdam. FashionUnited is dedicated to the fashion trade industry offering services on a local level with a global approach. Most of its fashion news sites are published in the native language of the country.