L.L. Bean opening stores in China

L.L. Bean gets a foot in China's open door
By ANN S. KIM Staff Writer

L.L. Bean is making its first foray into the fast-growing Chinese market with a new store that will open in Beijing this month.

The 3,000-square-foot store will open in an upscale shopping center on Sept. 27, and is the first of five stores that the big Freeport-based retailer hopes to open in China over the next year.

"I think this is pretty groundbreaking for a Maine company," said Janine Bisaillon-Cary, president of the Maine International Trade Center.

She said that Maine businesses are active in the export market to China, but that she does not know of any other Maine-based businesses with a retail presence in the country.

Maine exports to China are up 11 percent so far this year, compared to the same period the year before, with agricultural and biotechnology products and manufactured goods among the largest categories.

"It is a growing economy," said Carolyn Beem, a Bean spokeswoman. "They're very interested in the outdoors and they're very interested in outdoor activities, and that's a growing part of their lifestyle."

China will be the second international market for Bean stores. The company has 15 stores in Japan, the first of which opened in 1992.

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