Eclipse International is entering into a joint venture with its Chinese licensee, Shenzhen Meiting Creation Furnishing Co., to open more than 100 mattress specialty stores dedicated to the brand throughout the country.

The first batch of new stores will open later this year, and the remaining stores will roll out over a three-year period, officials said. They said the new partnership sets the stage for market share expansion for Eclipse in China.

“There is a huge appetite in China for U.S. branded luxury goods and our portfolio of brands has been so well received by consumers there,” said Stuart Carlitz, CEO of Eclipse International. “These retail stores will take our 15-year partnership with Shenzhen Meiting to the next level. They are terrific retailers, and we are excited to be expanding our partnership.”

The retail stores will be concentrated in first- and second-tier cities in each Chinese province, and the rollout plan includes stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Nanjing, Carlitz said.

Under the leadership of founder Baocai Huang, Shenzhen Meiting produces furniture for 300 company-owned furniture stores in China, as well as other distribution channels throughout the country. The company has been a licensing partner of Eclipse since 2003.

“The Eclipse brand is a pivotal component in our strategic future,” said Huang. “We’ve had a long, rewarding partnership with Eclipse, and the rollout of Eclipse stores will only make it better.”

North Brunswick, N.J.-based Eclipse International has been making mattresses since 1866. The company has 65 licensees, 17 domestic and 48 overseas, servicing 65 countries or provinces.

（Source: Furniture Today）