KEY SOLE | STORE PROFILE
Only 6 month’s young to Melbourne many people may not have come across Key Sole just yet. However these guys have been running stores in WA for many years and saw the opportunity in Melbourne, this week NB574 takes 5 with Key Sole.
So first up tell us a bit about Key Sole?
Key Sole is a Western Australian based company that has five stores in Fremantle, and in August 2011 moved into the epicenter of Melbourne. Selecting the ‘crème de le crème’ of brands from our existing stores in WA and molding our Melbourne store accordingly, has created a store stocking the ‘best of the best’ (and staff for that matter!!!). One mans passion and innovation kick started the first store with an idea for a cool shop fit out to provide unique sneakers that were mostly unavailable to the Australian consumer at the time. In a short time frame Key Sole has grown rapidly from one store to a small empire of six stores all still independently owned. The motivation behind Key Sole’s first East Coast store was to gain market share and brand recognition on both sides of the country.
Key Sole are very lucky to have developed a great relationship with the New Balance team for two years now, already stocking a great collab, the 576 X OFFSPRING and some successful years are surely ahead.
The Melbourne store is still fairly new, how has the response been so far to the store?
The response to the store in the first 6 months has been very positive. It’s been great. We are lucky enough to have an amazing simplistic shop fit which keeps the feeling of the shop fresh. We are forever building our client base and have some very enthusiastic regulars for our NB collection, who are lucky enough to be the first to know when new stock comes in! You have to look after the regulars...right?
Building up our website, keysole.com has been extremely time consuming, but with this aspect of the business progressing nicely, along with the Key Sole MELBOURNE BlogSpot & Facebook, we are moving rapidly into the future to achieve amazing goals.
What is it you like about NB and what sets it apart from the other brands on the shelf?
The thing we like about the NB’s (I’m sure almost every sneaker lover would agree with us) is the comfort factor! The fact we can rock them all day at work, and head straight out on the town, albeit carefully!
We at Key Sole personally love the ‘Made in England’ products because they have a point of difference to most shoes. These are beautifully made and have a legacy of sorts coming out of the factory in Flimby. Generating respect in the Retail Footwear history for over 100 years, the comfort & heritage of the NB footwear products has created a defining brand identity.
How has the response been to the New NB range in-store?
As with any brand NB has its followers, people that will be hunting somewhat underground for what they want. With NB just reviving their lifestyle brand in the last few years the main response is ‘WOAH!! NB is back!!’ Personally Key Sole are very excited about some upcoming collabs that are happening with the New Balance brand.
Finish this sentence “you should come in a visit Key Sole Melbourne because”…
We endeavor and strive to source the most exclusive sneakers and associated products from around the world, to make them available to all head’s as well as the general public and visitors to the great city of Melbourne. Our staff knowledge and personalised customer service and integrity are a foot above the rest of the crowd. Drop into Key Sole MELBOURNE anytime 7 days a week in the heart of the CBD (Little Collins St) as we have a very chilled vibe in store, and everyone loves a good shag….pile carpet that is!
Last but by no mean least what’s on the horizon for Key Sole for 2011?
To keep it on the Hush!! Key Sole are refining their Brand presence in-store, with the acquisition of a few new brands coming in over the next 12 months. Key Sole is working hard behind the scenes to acquire some Limited Editions releases in collaboration with our Brand Management and some stores around the world. Working on a Basement Level store soon into the future is our focus, to place our exclusive products with a special Invitation Only vault to purchase. No shoe kickers!! And when you visit keysole.com by late in the year, our website will be looking its best to view the latest up to date Sneakers and associated information.
Cheers from the Key Sole Crew.