Kumfs Steps Into New Plymouth
New Zealand footwear manufacturer Kumfs footwear, today [8th November] opened its first franchise store in the Taranaki region.
Kumfs Retail and Business Development General Manager, Robin Boyce, said the new store located in central New Plymouth brings the number of new retail stores opened in New Zealand and Australia during 2006 to 4.
A 5th store is set to open in Melbourne later this month.
“Our retail chain is currently the main area of growth for Kumfs,” Robin said.
“It’s great to finally have a store in the Taranaki region. Our retail stores are key to the success of the business as they allow us to connect directly with customers and promote our fashionable and foot-friendly footwear range.”
Located at 9 Devon Street West, in central New Plymouth, the new store is a refit of La Moda a fashion footwear store owned by born and bred New Plymouth residents Anna and John Brbich. The couple have been in the retail business for seven years.
Anna said she believes the change to a Kumfs franchise is a win-win situation for both the store and its customers.
“Kumfs is targeting a huge market that no one else in the region is currently appealing to,” Anna said.
“Also as a Kumfs franchise store we have the support of Kumfs’ tried and true fitting system, and support network to access stock.
“For our customers, Kumfs’ customer service and fitting policy means that they get a superior level of comfort and service. We’re also now able to give customers the benefits of the Kumfs Customer Club which includes exclusive offers, rewards points and a fitting record for each customer.”
Robin Boyce said as with every Kumfs store, the New Plymouth store will also offer a professional fitting service, as well as a 30 day No Risk Wear Test.
“With the No Risk Wear Test, customers are able to return their shoes within 30 days and receive a full refund if they are unhappy with the product,” Robin said.
“We believe this to be an important service as it’s impossible for customers to get the full experience of a shoe by simply trying it on in a store.”
The New Plymouth store will be Kumfs 17th store in New Zealand. A further 15 are currently operating in Australia, and the business opened its first US store earlier this year.
Robin said the New Plymouth store opening comes in the wake of Kumfs’ recent milestone birthday this year which marked 60 years of making women’s shoes.
“The Kumfs business is currently growing year on year, allowing us to expand both locally and internationally as awareness of the health benefits of good posture and the importance of buying shoes that enhance that increases.
“Currently the biggest demand for our shoes comes from Australia, followed by New Zealand and then the United States.
“The Singaporean market, which was only introduced to Kumfs in 2004, is also a star performer at the moment, showing an increase in sales of 57% for the year ended June 2006. This is a huge increase in a relatively new market.”
Robin said she believes Kumfs growth is due to the company’s commitment to its core principles.
“Kumfs prides itself on offering comfortable quality shoes that fit well, and look and feel great.
“It’s great that we’re now able to extend this commitment to our New Plymouth customers.”