Williams-Sonoma to open U.K. stores

London -- A Friday report by the United Kingdom’s The Independent newspaper said that San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma is planning a U.K. launch in 2012. The report said that the company has appointed a U.K. retail property agent and plans to open its first store in the first half of next year. Plans call for a London debut and the report said the retailer is seeking 5,000-sq.-ft. to 8,000-sq.-ft. spaces.