Europe's leading intimate apparel brand, Hunkemoller, is now available in T&T as the brand opened its first store on December 16 at The Falls, West Mall.
US-based master franchising company, Brand Management Ventures Limited (BMVL), partnered with a prominent local entrepreneur through BMVL's locally registered subsidiary Brand Management Limited (BML).
The introduction that led to this joint venture was facilitated by InvesTT Trinidad and Tobago (InvesTT), the country's national investment promotion agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The engagement between InvesTT, BMVL and BML began in 2013 when the agency was instrumental in identifying local partners, providing assistance with the business registration, customs clearance and co-ordinating site visits as BMVL's plans for T&T will continue to create opportunities for local business persons to partner alongside world class brands. These partnerships have to potential to extend beyond Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the Caribbean.
InvesTT's Acting President Stacy Adams said: "We continue to give BML all the support they need to expand their business in T&T while creating investment opportunities for local investors."
The top European lingerie brand is the second global brand to be introduced by BML to the local market. In 2016 they successfully introduced Polish brand Inglot Cosmetics in partnership with Starlite Drugs. Both brands have produced approximately 15 jobs in Trinidad with the potential for increased employment as additional Hunkemoller and Inglot Cosmetics stores are expected to be set up over the next two years.
Inglot will launch a second store in Southpark in March. Trinidad remains a key retail market for BML says Richard Aquilina, partner of both BMVL and BML. "We have been particularly encouraged by the performance of Inglot in Trinidad and believe Hunkemoller too will be received well by local consumers. In both cases, Inglot and latterly Hunkemoller, fill gaps in the retail marketplace offering quality products at affordable prices.
"Focussing on Trinidad initially, we see this as a springboard for further expansion and development not only within T&T but also across the Caribbean. InvesTT has been paramount in supporting our strategy to date offering advice and support across a wide spectrum of areas and certainly we would not be in the position we are today without their help and support."
BML is an investment company and a multiple franchise holder of several global retail brands. The company is following its strategic objective of introducing three brands in addition to Inglot Cosmetics into the region by 2018, using Trinidad and Tobago as its launch pad into the Caribbean region.