Dutch high street retailer Hema is planning to open stores in England and Spain within the first six months of 2014, chief executive Ronald van Zetten told a television current affairs show.

Speaking on the Nieuwsuur programme, Van Zetten said Hema would be spreading its wings further in 2014, but did not give further details about locations within England and Spain.

Hema is a staple of most Dutch high streets, selling household goods, clothes, some foods and office supplies.

Abroad

The retailer already has seveal outlets in Belgium and a handful in Germany, France and Luxemburg. The company was founded in 1926 and is currently owned by Lion Capital.

In 2013, Hema added wills and registered partnership contracts to its product range, as well as health insurance.

Hema, which only sells own-label products, is regularly cited as one of the biggest Dutch brands and one of the things Dutch expats most miss when they live abroad.