Hello Kitty World to Open in Turkey

Sanrio plans to open a first-of-its-kind Hello Kitty entertainment and retail complex in Istanbul in partnership with regional licensee Peritozu and Max Licensing, which represents Sanrio in Turkey.

The 32,000-square-foot Hello Kitty World facility will include a fashion department, outdoor garden café with interactive activities and a Hello Kitty Town with photo studio, Hello Kitty house, beauty salon, bakery and florist.

Retail offerings will include products from licensees from around the world including Vespa, Swarovski, Lladro, Fender and Tiffany with products including handbags, shoes, accessories, suitcases, guitars, bedding, baby products, textiles, toys, stationary and kitchen items.

“Turkey is a rising economic giant in this region and Istanbul has the potential to open Turkey to the world. This city is the fashion center of the Middle East and the Balkans,” says Beste Kaleli Tekelioğlu, partner, Peritozu, which invested $15 million in the project. “Although Hello Kitty is a global fashion icon for young women and girls, Hello Kitty stores had not reached Istanbul or Turkey. We understood the demand and decided to propose to Sanrio a Hello Kitty World concept in Turkey.”

Sanrio is also considering opening similar facilities in New York City and London.