Samsung to sell clothes in China
South Korea's Samsung Group will sell clothes in the Chinese market with the first overseas expansion of its clothing chain, 8ight Seconds, in two years' time.
The successful business in electronic devices in China, has given it a "solid foundation" for it to expand into other areas there, said company executives in a China Daily report on Monday.
China will become the first market outside South Korea for 8ight Seconds, revealed Samsung in the article. The brand falls under its Cheil Industries affiliate which has interests in textile, fashion, chemicals and electronic chemical materials (ECM).
"Our target is to open 12 outlets by the end of this year and enter the Chinese market in 2014," said Song Tai-keun, manager of 8ight Seconds. He added that the brand has five shops in South Korea. According to the store's website, its sixth outlet opens today.
The Samsung conglomerate comprises over 30 subsidiaries. Besides its flagship unit Samsung Electronics, the group also has a hand in insurance, clothes, themeparks, hotels, advertising and construction.
Its mobile phone business has been tipped to lead the Chinese mobile market, ahead of Apple this year.
Amid its strong growth, Samsung's electronics factory in China came under the spotlight for allegedly hiring underaged workers and violating domestic labor laws. According to watchdog China Labor Watch, seven workers were found to have been under the age of 16.