Simpsons stores coming soon

Flagship stores of the Simpsons, the first global outlets of the United States animated sitcom, are scheduled to open in Beijing and Shanghai in the first half of this year.

"This year will be an important one for us as we are opening the first Simpsons store along with our Chinese partners," said Jeffrey Godsick, president of 20th Century Fox Consumer Products.

The Beijing store will be the first bricks-and-motar Simpsons store in the world, and it will open in March in Sanlitun, a popular fashion destination in the capital. The second store will be launched in Shanghai in June, according to Godsick.