Chico's expands to include señoras

FORT MYERS — Women's retailer Chico's FAS plans to expand to Mexico this year and will open its first store in Mexico City in the spring.

“We believe Mexico is a great first foray into the international arena for the Chico's brand,” says Bill Bine, Chico's vice president of international operations, in a statement. “It represents an important part of the overall global expansion of Chico's FAS.”

Chico's announced last year it is expanding to Canada with its White House | Black Market label. The company operates 1,470 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Besides Chico's and White House | Black Market, the company also operates stores branded as Soma Intimates and Boston Proper.

In Mexico, the deal was structured as an exclusive franchise with El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C. V. The Chico's brand expansion in Mexico will begin with a stand-alone boutique at Perisur Mall, Mexico City, opening in the spring.

Plans for the Chico's expansion in Mexico include the opening of stand-alone boutiques as well as branded “shop-in-shops” inside Liverpool department stores. The second stand-alone boutique will open in Villahermosa, Tabasco. In addition, Liverpool plans to roll out six Liverpool department-store “shop-in-shops” during the first half of this year.