| Type | Children's clothing |
|---|---|
| Owner | Shop Direct |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Markets | World |
| Previous owners | Adolf Pasold & Son Coats Viyella Woolworths Group |
Ladybird is a brand of clothing for children aged 0–13 years. Having been purchased in January 2009 by Shop Direct from the administrators of former long time owner/retailer Woolworths Group, Ladybird is ranked third overall in the childrenswear market, with an increasing market share of 5%. Ladybird products can be bought from woolworths.co.uk.
The Ladybird brand has a history which dates back to a trading partnership beginning in 1934 between the original firm Adolf Pasold & Son and Woolworths. Eric and Rolf Pasold bought the Ladybird trade mark from Klinger Manufacturing Co in 1938. Pasold's were taken over in 1965 by Coats Patons.[1] Woolworths purchased exclusive rights to the Ladybird brand in 1984, purchasing it outright from Coats Viyella in 2000. After the 2009 collapse of Woolworths Group, Shop Direct purchased the brand and whole rights from the administrators.[2]
In recent years Ladybird branded jewellery, buggies and bedding have been introduced to the UK market. In 2002 the brand started a licensing programme to give the brand global presence. Currently the brand has over 160 stores and concessions worldwide in territories including Ireland, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Stores opened in China, India and Egypt in 2008, along with concessions within the Stuttafords department store in South Africa.
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