Stanley Gibbons plans international expansion

After reporting a sales increase of 35 percent to £35.7 million ($56.5 million) in the year ended 31st December 2011, stamps and collectibles specialist Stanley Gibbons reports that among its main aims for the coming year will be international expansion to bring the brand to a wider audience.

Its new Hong Kong office, opened this past September, contributed £500,000 ($792,000) of sales to Hong Kong residents and generated a profit in its first quarter of trading. Further extending its reach in the region, the company developed trading relationships in greater China during the last financial year, enabling a further £500,000 of sales directly into the Chinese market. 

As well as an eye on China, Stanley Gibbons is also preparing its assault on the US market. In a statement, chairman Martin Bralsford said the business had completed its initial investigation into opportunities in the United States, which still represented the biggest collectibles market in the world. This year will also see Stanley Gibbons explore the potential of opening new offices in Switzerland, Singapore, Monaco, Gibraltar and Brazil using a franchise-like model.