Xiaomi focused on Asia for years, and its efforts definitely paid off: it's consistently one of the top smartphone makers in the world. After launching a Mi store in Barcelona in 2017, though, the company announced its plans to enter more European markets. The tech giant's products will initially be available in 3 Group's (Three UK's parent company) stores in Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the UK, as well as in A.S. Watson's Fortress, Superdrug and Kruidvat stores in Hong Kong, Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands.

Three UK's chief digital officer Tom Malleschitz told us in a statement:

"We have been watching Xiaomi's success from afar and are impressed with the huge range of connected devices that they currently offer. This partnership provides us with another leading brand in our smartphone range and also opens the door for innovative new connected products that we can provide to Three customers in the future. So watch this space!"

Xiaomi's offerings are expected to be available in more locations after the initial launch -- whether that's before or after the brand arrives in the US remains to be seen. Company chief Lei Jun said last month that Xiaomi intends to sell phones in the US by the end of 2018 or early 2019.