ecostore, New Zealand's leading eco-friendly cleaning brand, has hit the jackpot in the Unites States signing an exclusive distribution deal with Duane Reade of New York.

Duane Reade is the biggest drug store chain in New York boasting more than 250 stores and is a popular one-stop-shop for local Manhattanites stocking up on health, beauty and convenience products.

Founder of ecostore Malcolm Rands says: "With a 50-year history in the most exciting city in the world, the Duane Reade chain is the place where many of the world's trendsetters shop. And ecostore is being promoted as the cutting edge eco option."

The chain will initially stock over 20 of ecostore's core household cleaning, baby and personal care products, in a variety of sizes and fragrances. "When we did the numbers and saw that Duane Reade's stores on Manhattan Island own 70 percent of the laundry, cleaning products and soap categories we knew we were on to a winner," says Rands.

Duane Reade's Chief Marketing Officer Joe Magnacca says the exclusive partnership with ecostore will enable them to fulfil a growing demand for authentic green plant based cleaning products.

"The rise in eco-friendly households in the New York region puts ecostore in pole position to enjoy solid growth.

"ecostore's leadership in New Zealand and their ongoing commitment to innovation and quality initiatives set them apart," says Magnacca.

Local manufacturing helps manage carbon footprint Apart from a range of bar soaps that are shipped to the United States, all ecostore products for this growing market are manufactured locally in an eco-factory based in Detroit.

Manufacturing locally helps to manage ecostore's carbon footprint and is a critical factor for the company that was last year named New Zealand's most Sustainable Business of the Year at the NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards. Recent M&A activity may help widen ecostore's reach The move into New York is an important part of ecostore's continued expansion into the US market which began in late 2008 when ecostore entered the hypermarket chain Meijer in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.

Despite steep competition in the US, with around six well established brands seeking to enter the 'eco-friendly' cleaning product market, Rands is certain the move into Duane Reade will provide ecostore with the right exposure, particularly given the recent acquisition of the chain by Walgreens, the largest drug-store chain in the United States.

With more than 7,000 stores across 50 states, Walgreens' reach may open doors for ecostore beyond Duane Reade. ecostore products are also available through supermarket and health food stores in New Zealand, over 800 Woolworths stores in Australia, online in the UK, Hong Kong and South Korea; and through its flagship store in Auckland.