US-based EC Design acquires Australian stationery retailer kikki.K

EC Design, a US-based lifestyle products company, has acquired Australia-based design and stationery brand kikki.K for an undisclosed price.

The stationery retailer, which was founded by Swedish entrepreneur Kristina Karlsson in 2001, had entered voluntary administration about four months ago.

EC Design, which is the parent company of Erin Condren, said that it intends to steer kikki.K through a restructuring process to save about 30 stores and 250 jobs.

Tonia Misvaer – CEO of Erin Condren said: “We have long admired kikki.K for its unique design and functional products, and we are thrilled to welcome this incredible team into the EC Design family

“The beautiful Swedish design aesthetic that is signature to the kikki.K brand will remain and will now be more readily accessible to U.S. audiences.”

kikki.K is said to have been affected by almost three years of devastating economic and environmental disasters in key markets in more than 150 countries it services. These include Brexit, Australian bushfires, and COVID-19.

The Australian stationery retailer will continue to be headquartered in Melbourne, while Kristina Karlsson will remain in her present role as Creative Director with Co-Founder, Paul Lacy continuing as CEO.

Kristina Karlsson said: “We are so excited about our partnership with EC Design. We’re so happy that we’ve been able to preserve hundreds of jobs and be well set up to thrive again so we can continue making a difference in the world in small and big ways.

“With this partnership, the Erin Condren team will assist us in strengthening the kikki.K brand across the U.S. market and help grow our e-Commerce business. It also provides a great opportunity for Erin Condren to expand internationally in new growth markets that we know well, like Europe, Asia, Australia and many others.

“There is so much that we can learn from each other to continue doing what we both do best, and that’s creating and sharing beautiful products that make a genuine positive impact on people’s lives.”