German lifestyle accessories brand Kapten & Son is continuing its UK growth by adding a major retail partnership with department store group John Lewis.

The partnership is seen as a “significant milestone” for Kapten & Son’s UK expansion, marking the brand’s first major department store footprint in the UK “offering [its] customers the chance to shop the brand, spanning watches, eyewear, bags, and travel accessories, designed for “modern explorers seeking both function and style.” both in-store and online for the first time”.

Michael Rawson UK project lead for Kapten & Son, said: “With its strong brand following across Europe and North America, Kapten & Son’s move into John Lewis further cements its commitment to growth in the UK market. The launch aligns with a wider strategy to expand retail partnerships and make premium, sustainably designed accessories more accessible to conscious consumers.”   

Boasting over 300 retail partners in more than 50 countries worldwide, the brand said the move into the UK followed success across Europe — including stores in Frankfurt, Vienna and Amsterdam. So Kapten & Son began its experiential retail journey into the UK market by opening a flagship store Covent Garden’s Neal Street in August.

The flagship store offers a series of interactive experience stations designed to help visitors find their ideal backpack while a packing table lets customers test how much each backpack can hold. A size check station ensures bags meet hand luggage requirements—“ideal for frequent flyers”. It also features a cutting-edge ‘Magic Mirror’ that lets shoppers see how each backpack looks from behind “taking the guesswork out of fit and style”.