American Girl is packing up and taking a trip to Mexico.
El Segundo toy maker Mattel Inc., which owns the doll brand, on Thursday announced plans to open three shop-in-shop American Girl boutiques through a partnership with El Palacio de Hierro, a high-end retailer in Mexico. The first two American Girl shops will open next summer in Mexico City followed by a third location in fall 2015.
Jean McKenzie, executive vice president of American Girl, said the partnership gives the doll manufacturer an expansion opportunity.
“As Mexico is a new country and market for us, we’re eager to provide the best accessibility to our brand,” McKenzie said. “And partnering with a well-respected and sought-after retailer like El Palacio de Hierro is an ideal way to introduce ourselves to girls and families in Mexico.”
The shop-in-shop boutiques will carry the company’s contemporary 18-inch doll line, which can be personalized with particular skin tones and eye colors. It will also offer clothing for girls, American Doll books translated into Spanish and a Doll Hair Salon.
This marks American Girl’s second foray outside of the United States. The brand expanded into Canada a year ago.