U.K. retailer Wren Kitchens to open U.S. stores

A company that describes itself as the U.K.’s fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar retailer is expanding to the U.S. market.

Founded in 2009, Wren Kitchens has 90 showrooms across the U.K., and will make its U.S. debut this summer, opening a location in Milford, Conn., on the site of a former Babies “R” Us site. Several more openings are planned throughout the year in the Northeast.

At 31,465 sq. ft., the Milford store will feature more than 100 kitchen displays. It will include the use of 3D virtual reality to bring customers dream kitchens to life, kitchen design tools and an array remodel options to create a tailored kitchen to suit every customer's life.

In line with its planned expansion, Wren Kitchens will open its first U.S. manufacturing facility this spring, in Hanover Industrial States, in Northeast Pennsylvania, with future plans of also developing its headquarters in the state. The 252,000-sq.ft- center will encompass state-of-the-art machinery and assembling facilities, according to the company. 

"We're excited to bring our vertically integrated model to the United States, the largest home improvement market in the world,” said a Wren Kitchens spokesperson. "It's imperative to offer our customers a first-class experience, and that starts in our showrooms. We invest heavily in them to offer the latest styles and a truly experiential visit where they can see their kitchen in virtual reality.” 

Wren Kitchens is a family business, and manufactures all kitchens in its own factories. Many kitchens are delivered fully built, with doors, drawers and wirework pre-installed, delivered by Wren's fleet of trucks.