Cotton On Group Overview and Key Facts

The Cotton On Group is a global retail company that's been around since 1991. It was founded by Nigel and Julie Bishop in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

The group has a strong presence in the global market, with over 1,200 stores across 14 countries.

Cotton On Group's diverse portfolio includes several brands, each with its own unique style and appeal.

Cotton On Group has a long history that spans several decades. The company was founded in the 2000s, with the launch of Cotton On Kids in 2004.

In 2006, Cotton On expanded internationally, opening its first store in New Zealand at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Lower Hutt. This marked the beginning of a global presence that now includes 19 countries.

Cotton On has faced some challenges over the years, including a $1 million fine in 2012 for selling highly flammable children's sleepwear. The company was also fined $1.2 million for selling unsafe clothing items with false and misleading labels.

In 2019, Cotton On made headlines for selling sex toys on its Australian and New Zealand websites with a content warning.

Cotton On Kids was launched in 2004, marking the beginning of the Cotton On Group's expansion into the children's fashion market.

In 2006, Cotton On made its first international move by opening a store in New Zealand, at the Queensgate Shopping Centre in Lower Hutt.

The company continued to grow rapidly, launching several new brands in 2007, including Cotton On Body, Factorie, and Typo.

By 2008, Rubi was added to the Cotton On Group's portfolio of brands.

In 2013, Cotton On acquired the Australian female youth brand Supré, expanding its reach in the women's fashion market.

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The 2010s was a decade of significant events for Cotton On Group. In 2010, the company was already a major player with over 900 outlets across the country.

Cotton On was fined $400,000 for selling more than 1000 nightdresses that breached Australian fire safety standards, and a further $400,000 for selling more than 1000 unsafe pairs of girls' pajamas.

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The company's commitment to transparency and safety was put to the test in 2012 when it was fined $1 million for selling highly flammable children's sleepwear misleadingly labeled as low fire danger.

In 2019, Cotton On began selling sex toys on its Australian and New Zealand websites with a content warning, marking a significant shift in the company's product offerings.

The company's sourcing practices also came under scrutiny in 2019, with evidence linking its cotton to forced labour camps in Xinjiang.

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The Cotton On Group is expanding its presence in Asia with a significant move to Singapore. The Australian retailer has opened its Asia headquarters in Singapore, marking a major milestone in its global expansion.

With over 130 stores across nine brands in 16 countries, the Cotton On Group is one of the fastest growing retail groups in the world. It plans to open several hundred stores in the region in the next five years.

The company's focus on Asia is driven by the region's growing demand for fashion and its vibrant consumer culture. Singapore, in particular, is a hub for business and consumer trends, making it an ideal location for the Cotton On Group's Asia headquarters.

Cotton On Group has announced the opening of its Asia headquarters in Singapore, solidifying the country's position as a cornerstone of its operations in the region.

The move marks a significant milestone for the Australian retailer, which has grown from humble beginnings in 1991 to over 130 stores across nine brands in 16 countries.

The Cotton On Group plans to open several hundred stores in the region in the next five years, with over 160 doors already established in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

As the company continues to expand, it's clear that Singapore is a key market for Cotton On Group, with the country's talented and innovative individuals driving the retailer's growth.

The Cotton On Group is committed to creating meaningful and long-term careers in Singapore, attracting and retaining a strong and diverse workforce across various disciplines.

With over 19,000 staff worldwide, the company is a true global player in the value fashion space, and its Asia headquarters in Singapore is a testament to its commitment to the region.

In Oceania, Cotton On has made a significant presence with 670 stores across the region.

One of the key markets for Cotton On in Oceania is Australia, where they have an impressive 574 stores.

Cotton On has also expanded its reach to New Zealand, with a total of 96 stores.

The breakdown of Cotton On's stores in Oceania can be seen in the following list:

Cotton On Body was launched in 2007, selling underwear and sleepwear.

The brand later expanded into swimwear and activewear.

Rubi is a footwear and accessories brand launched in 2008.

Cotton On Lost was a short-lived range that included travel luggage and accessories, launched in late 2018 but phased out soon after.

Cotton On Lost was launched in late 2018, but has since been phased out, with a range that included travel luggage and accessories.

Factorie is a youth fashion brand that's been part of the Cotton On Group since 2007. It has since expanded internationally, now boasting over 160 stores across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Cotton On Kids was launched in 2004, selling a wide range of children's clothing and accessories.

The brand initially offered items like children's clothing, baby clothing, activewear, dress-ups, fashion accessories, swimwear, gifts, shoes, and stationery.

In March 2013, Cotton On Kids launched a range called Free by Cotton On, specifically designed for 9 to 14-year-olds.

However, the Free by Cotton On range was discontinued and replaced by Cotton On Kids Youth in 2020.

Cotton On Kids Youth now offers the same items as Cotton On Kids but in larger sizes, up to size 16 for girls and 20 for boys.

Factorie is a youth fashion brand that was added to the Cotton On Group in 2007.

It has since expanded internationally and now has over 160 stores across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

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Cotton On Body was launched in 2007, selling underwear and sleepwear. It later expanded into swimwear and activewear.

Rubi is a footwear brand that was launched in 2008.

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Cotton On Group has a significant presence globally, with a total of 1,298 stores as of January 2025.

They have a notable number of stores in the United Kingdom, with 20 locations.

Cotton On previously operated stores in several countries, including Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

Their global store count remains at 1,298 as of January 2025.

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Cotton On Group has a massive loyalty program, Cotton On Perks, with over 2.4 million members, making it one of the largest retail loyalty programs in Australia.

This loyalty program is a testament to the company's ability to engage with its customers on a large scale. By offering rewards and incentives to its members, Cotton On Group is able to build a loyal customer base that returns to its stores again and again.

The sheer size of Cotton On Perks is impressive, with over 2.4 million members. This is a clear indication of the company's commitment to customer engagement and loyalty.

Cotton On Group's loyalty program is a key factor in its success, and it's an area that the company continues to invest in and improve.

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Cotton On Group has been making waves in the fashion industry with its latest news.

Cotton On is launching a built-in resale feature for its womenswear, allowing customers to automatically create an Ebay listing when purchasing items online.

This feature is a game-changer for customers who want to resell their items in the future.

Customers will now be able to easily list their items on Ebay without having to manually create a listing.

This convenience will undoubtedly make it easier for customers to declutter their wardrobes and make some extra cash.

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