The locally-based company, which opened seven North American retail stores and three factory outlets during the second fiscal quarter of 2007, said the 10 additional stores planned for North America were a result of several multi-store portfolio deals with developers. The firm, which currently has 237 retail stores and 90 factory locations, also opened two retail stores in Japan during the three month period ended Dec. 30.

"Clearly the Coach brand has reached a new level of popularity among North American consumers," Lew Frankfort, Coach's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a conference call with analysts.

Frankfort says continued double digit category growth combined with an expanded customer base and strong demand for the firm's line of accessories, prompted the firm to boost its projected store openings for the year.