Cotton On China plans

Geelong casual clothing retailer Cotton On aims to create its own version of selling coal to Newcastle by expanding into mainland China.

Cotton On has already unveiled plans to head into three new countries this year – Brazil, Colombia and Panama.

The fast fashion retailer is reportedly also interested in sub-Saharan Africa and Venezuela.

Cotton On operates around 1334 stores in Australia and overseas, with plans to open about 250 more this year.

The brand is already sold in the US, Asia, United Arab Emirates and Germany among other countries.

In October 2013, Cotton On acquired Australian young fashion retailer Supre and its 157 stores.

Cotton On opened its Asian headquarters in Singapore where Chief Financial Officer Michael Hardwick detailed expansion plans.

The company has more than 160 stores in the region, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia with another 100 stores to open in Asian markets including South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

Cotton On expects its Asian operations to contribute 20 per cent to total sales this year, an increase from 15 per cent the year before, Hardwick said.

Cotton On also owns the Rubi Shoes and Typo brands.