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Columbia Sportswear: Columbia Sportswear Company Unveils Plans to Open Branded Retail Store on London's Famous Kensington High

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, May 29th 2009 at 9:45 GMT, Last Modified on 2009-05-29 09:46:12 by Market Wire

GENEVA--(Marketwire - May 29, 2009) - Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: [ COLM ]), a global leader in the active outdoor apparel and footwear industries, has signed a lease for a new Columbia-branded store to be located in the heart of London's vibrant retail district on Kensington High Street. The new store, which will occupy 292 square meters, will present the company's Columbia brand outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear and Sorel brand footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts who live in the UK and to the 27 million tourists who travel to London each year. The store is expected to open in September 2009.

"We're very excited about locating a Columbia-branded store in London, one of the premier retail shopping destinations in Europe and the capital of the UK. Kensington High Street is considered one of the best places within London to shop for outdoor products," said Christian Finell, General Manager Europe, Columbia Sportswear Company. "The planned opening of our store in London is an exciting move for our Columbia and Sorel brands in the UK."

Columbia's planned London store is part of the company's strategy to establish a network of branded stores in key metropolitan markets around the world and elevate the presentation of its complementary outdoor brands. The stores are intended to drive consumer demand by enabling consumers to experience a greater breadth and depth of Columbia's innovative outdoor products merchandised under one roof.

About Columbia Sportswear Company:

Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest outerwear manufacturers in the world and a leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the company has developed an international reputation for quality, performance, functionality and value. The company manages a portfolio of outdoor brands including Columbia Sportswear, Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, Pacific Trail, and Sorel. To learn more about Columbia, please visit the company's website at [ http://www.columbia.com/ ].