Smythson expands in Paris and London under new ownership

Smythson, the esteemed British luxury lifestyle brand, often recognized as Smythson of Bond Street, has significantly deepened its presence in the French capital with the launch of a new, long-term pop-up experience at the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. This strategic move marks a notable expansion for the brand, establishing its second location in Paris alongside its existing presence at Le Bon Marché.

The new pop-up is strategically located on the ground floor of Galeries Lafayette's dedicated men's store, occupying a substantial 31 square metre space. While described as a pop-up, its tenure is anything but temporary, with plans for it to remain open until June 2026. This extended duration allows customers to thoroughly explore Smythson's latest collections, which include a comprehensive range of men’s large and small leather goods, sophisticated travel accessories, homewares, games, and a carefully curated selection of their bestselling diaries and notebooks, reinforcing the brand's commitment to the discerning Parisian market.

This international growth follows a period of domestic expansion for Smythson, which recently saw the opening of a new concession within London's renowned department store, Liberty. Situated in Liberty’s homewares department on the third floor, this space showcases Smythson's signature diaries, notebooks, and stationery, alongside an elegant array of leather accessories and a curated edit of its most popular bags. Adding an exclusive touch, the Liberty concession also features limited-edition Smythson x Liberty products, with a second edit of further accessories slated for launch next month, further enriching the customer offering.

These recent retail expansions are taking place a few months after a significant change in ownership for the business. Smythson was acquired from Jacques Bahbout’s Tivoli Group by Oakley Capital, a prominent pan-European, mid-market private equity investor. This acquisition signals a new chapter for the brand, with Oakley Capital poised to leverage its expertise to drive future growth and strategic development.

The new owner has articulated a clear vision for Smythson, stating that the label will "benefit from Oakley’s proven value-creation strategies and expertise in accelerating international expansion, digitising operations, enhancing brand positioning and digital marketing." Under this new leadership, Smythson is set to prioritize global growth, with a particular focus on key markets such as the US, Japanese, and European markets, while simultaneously continuing to strengthen its robust position within the UK home market.