Colombo, Sri Lanka-based Richard Pieris & Co., the Sri Lanka licensee of Chicago-based Englander, has opened a 2,000-square-foot boutique in the heart of the city’s upscale shopping district.
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and Englander President and CEO Lou Paige joined local dignitaries to open the new store, which features 10 premium mattresses and a collection of pillows.
Founded in 1932, Richard Pieris & Co. is one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified business conglomerates, with interests in retail, furniture, logistics and more. The new Englander flagship store in Colombo offers an exclusive range of premium mattresses featuring hybrid technologies, including memory foam, latex and innersprings, according to a news release.
“Englander, a 130-year-old U.S. brand, brings more than premium mattresses. It brings better sleep, American innovation and deeper economic connections with Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Chung said. “We all know how important rest is to health, productivity and peace of mind. In today’s high-stress, hyper-connected world, the simple act of getting a good night’s sleep can make all the difference. Englander isn’t just selling mattresses. They’re offering well-being, comfort and even a little bit of peace.”
“Richard Pieris & Co. is a wonderful partner and local representative of the Englander brand. They make an exceptional product, and their merchandising and marketing are truly world-class. It was a privilege to join them for this milestone in their company’s history,” Paige said. “In Sri Lanka, as we see with our licensees throughout the world, our brand is marketed as a premium product with strong appeal to the local consumer who is attracted to the quality, heritage and value Englander delivers.”
Lalith Wijeyesinghe, managing director of the local manufacturing and distribution sector at Richard Pieris & Co., who played a key role in bringing the venture to fruition, added, “Our partnership with Englander has established a solid foundation for strategic opportunities in the premium bedding sector. Through our deep manufacturing expertise and leadership in the polyurethane industry, we look forward to delivering innovative developments in sleep technology to Sri Lanka.”
