Iconic denim label Ksubi will commence a tight retail rollout next year, taking advantage of changing conditions in the retail property market.
The brand, which currently operates nine stores in Australia, has confirmed it is on the prowl for new store locations, with plans to expand its retail empire with another four shops this year. Ksubi global brand director Paul Wilson said the exact sites are yet to be confirmed but the brand will be “taking advantage of an increasing vacancy rate on popular strips and in centres”.
Wilson also said the move to strengthen it store network is a conscious strategy by the brand to rein in retail outlets and increase its control.
“Good sales coupled with increased vacancies on strips and in centres has helped us to facilitate our retail rollout. But the economy is in turmoil and the retail landscape is changing constantly, so we would rather be more reliant on our own retail that we can control,” he said.
The brand is also looking to expand on an international scale and recently signed on a new UK/Europe distributor ahead of plans to push into new markets.
“We do plan on expanding into selected boutiques, chain stores and department stores on a global level,” Wilson said.
“We signed Indigo Fera as a new UK/Europe distributor this month, and this means we can begin to start pushing the brand aggressively into the UK and European markets. This season we will focus on selling to the UK, Benelux and France and then following on with Germany and Scandinavia the following season.”
Ksubi's international stretch will also soon be supported by a global website, set to launch in March this year.
“Our focus has been on expanding our retail offering in strips and malls and now we feel that it's also the right time to focus on Ksubi.com,” Wilson said. “The new site will definitely have a global focus and by building it we will be making Ksubi more accessible to a global market. Ksubi.com will be the only place online that you can buy the entire Ksubi range.”
