Steve Madden relaunching in Australia

Shoe brand Steve Madden is relaunching into the Australian market with a dedicated online platform, alongside two new retail stores, next month.

The online store will launch on 1 December, while the two Steve Madden branded stores will open at Melbourne’s Highpoint Centre on December 8, and the Gold Coast’s Robina Town Centre on December 15.

“I started the company in 1990 with one goal in mind, I wanted everyone to wear my shoes,” founder Steve Madden said.

In addition to marketing products under its own brands, such as Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, Blondo, Mad Love and Big Buddha, the brand serves as the licensee of various brands, including Kate Spade, Superga and Anne Klein.

The expansion is in partnership with Sigil Brands, which confirmed plans to open a further six stores in 2019.

“The past year we have been very strategic in our approach setting up the structure and re-positioning for a consumer success story in our market,” Signal Brands group managing director Paul Smith said.

“Our team is ready, committed and excited to be a part of this journey and very much look forward to the growth of the billion dollar brand that is Steve Madden both locally and globally.”

In 2014, all 15 Steve Madden stores in Australia closed following a legal dispute between the international owner and Solomon Lew, who ran the business through the Lew Group.

Lew alleged that Madden International overcharged the group for shoes it was buying through a wholesale agreement.

This story first appeared on sister site Internet Retailing.

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