By Peter Evans
LONDON--Online fashion retailer ASOS PLC (ASC.LN) will launch
websites in China and Russia "within a year" and, in a break from
its usual business model, will operate technology platforms in
those countries, its chief executive said Thursday.
The long-awaited Chinese and Russian-language websites will give
ASOS wider reach in two of the biggest markets for international
retailers as the company strives to reach its target of having 1
billion pounds ($1.61 billion) of sales in five separate markets by
2015, Nick Robertson told Dow Jones Newswires.
"This is just part of the journey," he said. "By this time next
year, we will be in both China and Russia."
Mr. Robertson added that ASOS would have technology platforms
that operate in both China and Russia, a departure from the
company's usual practice of running operations from the U.K. "The
reason, ironically, isn't really a technical one," he said. "We do
need technology capability in-country, but it's more to do with
getting parcels through their customs and borders."
Mr. Robertson also moved to quash rumors that he had discussed a
possible takeover by online giant Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN). "I
haven't spoken to Jeff Bezos or Amazon for three years," he
said.
Write to Peter Evans at peter.evans@dowjones.com
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