HomeSense was launched in the U.K. in spring 2008, the first off-price home fashions retailer in that country.
Patterned after our successful HomeSense concept in Canada, this business offers a wide, ever-fresh selection of top-quality home fashions and branded homeware at great values to our U.K. customers. Selections include giftware, home basics, accent furniture, lamps, and accessories.
HomeSense ended 2008 with seven stores, which average approximately 19,000 square feet in size. We expect to open approximately seven HomeSense stores in 2009, and believe that the U.K. and Ireland market could support 100 to 150 HomeSense stores, long term.