French-owned British leather goods brand Cambridge Satchel, so far distributed only in the UK, is planning to triple its revenue within two years. In order to do so, it is set to open stores in continental Europe in 2025, focusing specifically on the cities of Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam.

Cambridge Satchel was acquired by French group Chargeurs in 2022, and now intends to boost its visibility in Europe, targeting cities with a large population and a strong tourist influx. Last year, Cambridge Satchel sought to increase its visibility by striking a strategic partnership with Hello Kitty, and more recently it snapped up the exclusive license for the musical fantasy film Wicked which, like its most famous song, seems to be “defying gravity” at box offices worldwide.

Above all, Cambridge Satchel is going through a design evolution. Its most popular products have been revamped by adopting a more contemporary style and a directional colour palette. Cambridge Satchel has also tweaked its range to meet the demand for smaller bags. Young customers can now choose from a range of leather accessories, including clutch bags priced from £30 to GBP40 (from €36 to €48).

“We have been actively working in the last two years to create a new brand image for Cambridge Satchel, based on modernised and upgraded essentials,” said Carine de Koenigswarter, president of the Chargeurs group’s Personal Goods division. “We are being successful with collections that have been entirely redesigned, and are attracting a new clientèle as well as recognised international companies in the graphic arts, film and museum sectors, with which we are striking rewarding partnerships,” she added.

Cambridge Satchel was founded in 2006, and currently operates stores in London’s Covent Garden, Cambridge and Leeds. Its bags retail at prices ranging from £125 to £485. The brand is notably relying on social media to boost its popularity with young consumers, and said its user engagement on Instagram increased by 170% in a year.

The brand’s manufacturing facilities and operations are said to have benefited from a modernisation drive prompted by Chargeurs, which supplies high-end materials to luxury labels. In 2023, the Chargeurs group generated a revenue of €653.2 million, down 6.9% after an “exceptionally unfavourable” year.