Kumfs Opens First Dunedin Store
New Zealand footwear manufacturer Kumfs achieved yet another milestone in its business expansion plans today when it opened its first Dunedin store in the Golden Centre on George Street.
Kumfs Managing Director, Andrew Robertson said the company plans to open six new retail stores in New Zealand and Australia during 2006.
The Dunedin store will be Kumfs seventeenth store in New Zealand. A further 15 are currently operating in Australia, and the business opened its first US store earlier this year.
“While Kumfs shoes have been distributed in the US since 1979 and are currently stocked there by approximately 200 retailers, the Fresno store was the first fully owned Kumfs store opened in the US,” Andrew said.
“The Kumfs business is currently growing year on year, allowing us to expand both locally and internationally. This seems to be driven by an increasing awareness of the health benefits of good posture and the importance of buying shoes that enhance that,” Andrew said.
The biggest demand for Kumfs’ foot-friendly shoes is currently coming from Australia, followed closely by New Zealand and the United States. Other distribution points for Kumfs include Finland, Singapore, Malaysia, and Canada.
“We believe that growth is due to maintaining our commitment to the core principles of offering comfortable quality shoes that fit,” Andrew said.
“Our new Dunedin store will offer a professional fitting service, as well as the company’s unique 30 day ‘No Risk Wear Test’. This gives customers 30 days in which to return their shoes to Kumfs, if they’re not happy with them, so that we can fix the problem
“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,” Andrew said.