The John Richard Company announces that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Harrods of Knightsbridge, the prestigious 150 year-old British department store.  The contract was signed last month by Mohammed Al Fayed, Chairman of Harrods, and Jim Becker, Executive Vice President, John Richard Company.
  The collection, to be marketed as part of Harrods Fine Furniture Collection, will be launched at the October 2000 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC.  John Richard will develop a comprehensive package of decorative accessories to complement the furniture programs being put forth by Highland House and Thomasville Furniture Industries.  The
introductions will call upon all of John Richard's expertise and product capabilities including lighting, decorative accessories, mirrors, framed art and textiles.  The design thrust will be that of the classic British home environment or in the vernacular of Harrods, a totally "Harrodian,"  look.
  Alex Malouf, John Richard's President, says "For the first time in a licensing program, buyers will have a complete package of accessories that have that same look and feel because they are being developed in a design environment that is in sync.  We feel that qualities that the Harrods name is synonymous with, high standards and taste, closely mirror our own.
This will be a perfect fit for our company."
  "The John Richard Company, was founded in 1980 as a manufacturer of limited edition and original art.  We have expanded over the years into every aspect of decorative accessories, culminating this April, with decorative pillows.  The rapid growth can be directly attributed to consistent design direction at the high end of the market.  Traditional to transitional
has been our forte' and we feel this background and the flavor of Harrods will be a natural for the International markets we service" says Malouf.
  New York based Concept Marketing Group Inc., known for its expertise in developing home and apparel related licensing programs, is the consultant responsible for identifying the opportunity and introducing John Richard and Highland House to Harrods and its agent, DRI Licensing.  According to CMGI's President, Kerry Glasser, "The John Richard Company has a
vast yet focused capability, I have worked with them previously - they are masterful at identifying a concept and translating that concept into various products.  I am thrilled to have them as a licensee in the creation of product designed to complement the furniture, but also function as a stand-alone program.
  Harrods is the world's most famous department store and one of London's top three tourist attractions.  Started in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, the business has grown from a small grocer's shop employing two staff members into a seven-story wonderland that employs more than 5,000.  The store now has over 350 departments, offering its customers hundreds of
thousands of different product lines.