Timberland launches assault on outdoor market

Timberland LLC, the US outdoorwear manufacturer, said it is planning an aggressive expansion of its retail network in China over the next five years, to satisfy demand in the country's burgeoning outdoor leisure sector.

Stewart Whitney, vice-president and managing director of Timberland Asia Pacific Region, said the company plans to open "40 to 50 stores in China a year", and upgrade and expand some of its existing stores over the next five years.

After launching in the Chinese mainland six years ago, Timberland now has 150 outlets and around 20 dealership partners.