SMEs

K-Accessories That Have Gen Z Lining Up… Encat’s ‘Naughty Cat’ Targets the U.S. Market

U.S. Shopping Malls 'Del Amo' and 'Brea Mall' to Open New Stores Securing a Foothold in North America… Full-Scale Expansion of Overseas Operations

KIM EUNG-TAE
2026-09-16 17:07:57
[Edaily Reporter KIM EUNG-TAE ] N.CAT, the operator of the domestic accessory brand “Naughty Cat,” is seeing tangible results from its overseas expansion as it has achieved a series of successes in securing spots in major U.S. retail chains. As the popularity of K-Beauty spreads to K-Accessories, N.CAT is focusing on expanding its business globally, including in the U.S.
An N.CAT “Naughty Cat” store opened in a U.S. shopping mall. (Photo: N.CAT)

According to N.CAT on the 16th, following the opening of its first U.S. company-owned store last month at the Del Amo Fashion Center, a large shopping mall in Torrance, California, the company will open a new store at the Brea Mall on the 19th.
Del Amo Fashion Center and Brea Mall are leading shopping centers in Southern California, home to global fashion and beauty brands. The company views the consecutive openings at these two locations as a significant achievement in establishing a foothold within major U.S. retail networks.
The first Del Amo store, which opened last month, is designed as an experiential store that brings Seoul’s dynamic shopping culture to the U.S. On opening day, customers lined up even before the store opened.
NCAT has also launched “#NCATitUp,” a global social media campaign encouraging people to share their own styles. This initiative is part of the company’s efforts to build initial brand awareness, based on consumer feedback regarding the in-store brand experience gathered at the first and second stores, with the goal of pursuing full-scale franchise expansion.
NCAT plans to refine its franchise business model based on store operation know-how and consumer data, and use this as a springboard to sequentially expand its stores to major regions across the U.S.
Yang Jin-ho, CEO of NCAT, stated, “We have established a base where we can directly showcase Seoul’s trendy sensibilities and K-fashion accessories to U.S. consumers,” adding, “We will use our first and second stores in California as a springboard for expansion into the North American market and prove our competitiveness as a K-accessory brand in the U.S. market.”

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