STATIONERY NEWS: What is the current status of the kikki.K group, in terms of number stores, employees and locations (including overseas)?
PAUL LACY: We currently have 83 kikki.K stores including those operating across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and online at www.kikki-k.com – a store which services the world. We have about 500 team members throughout all our stores and head office during the peak retail period.
SN: How is the company progressing with its plan to franchise up to 10 of its Australian stores, as announced in June?
PL: We’ve had a huge number of enquiries which we’re sorting through. It’s so important to us to partner with people who really fit our culture and brand so we’re taking our time to ensure we make the right choices.
SN: What are the company's plans for further expansion, both in Australia and overseas?
PL: We’ve currently got two kikki.K stores in Singapore and see strong opportunity there. We’ve also had numerous strong enquiries from quality landlords across Asia - and from potential partners wanting to purchase the rights to take kikki.K into various countries. Again, we’re being very careful to work through the opportunities and choose the right locations and partners which will provide the perfect alignment for our brand. With our vision to see something kikki.K in every stylish life the world over, we feel like there are so many exciting times still ahead and we’re just getting started.
SN: What is the profile of the "typical" kikki.K customer?
PL: kikki.K has seen a cult-like following not only in Australia, but also in Singapore and New Zealand, with our products appealing to avid stationery lovers and the fashion and design-conscious and anyone with a desire to be organised in style.
SN: What level of growth has there been in the company's online sales and what are the trends going forward?
PL: We have recently relaunched our digital flagship store, www.kikki-k.com which is performing well. In the past five years in particular, our e-commerce has experienced strong annual growth rates.
