Vince Camuto, the co-founder of fashion footwear brand Nine West, is preparing to establish a retail network in Australia for his latest venture, after testing the market earlier this year.
Camuto, who also operates fashion company Camuto Group, launched his eponymous New York shoe label in 2005, and released the line in Australia for the first time in February, via a tie-up with major department store, Myer.
Following the success of its initial debut, across 20 Myer stores nationally, Camuto has now confirmed plans to launch a line of stand-alone retail outlets to boost the brand's presence further.
Vince Camuto brand manager Melinda Chan said the local retail roll-out will commence with three stores, set to open in time for the spring 2012 season, with plans for more over the next three years.
“Vince Camuto started to expand internationally two years ago and the label has since achieved significant growth, so we are planning to launch three stores in Australia this year. The first will be in Chapel Street South Yarra in Melbourne around September. We are finalising the other two locations, but hope to secure one in Melbourne CBD and one in the suburbs,” she said.
“However, we are aiming to have 15 stand-alone stores Australia-wide within three years. The first phase of store openings will be in Victoria with approximately eight stores planned in the next two years. Further to that the next step is to open in New South Wales in 2014 with a couple of stores, and the final stage will be to roll out to the other states.”
Chan revealed that the brand is also looking to cement its presence online, as well as on the wholesale scene, with an extension of its product offering also in the pipeline.
“Our three-year plan [on the wholesale front] is that we would like to be in 35 wholesale doors. This will be achieved through third party retailers which include Myer,” she said.
“At present we also only stock footwear, however, by next year we also plan to introduce a small selection of Vince Camuto handbags and possibly, by the of 2013, fragrances as well.”
