Search for
Search for
Search forCity firm's expansion good news for brides across the Continent
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 23:00
Brides in Spain and Portugal can now look forward to obtaining elegant shoes in a hue that perfectly matches their wedding dress or accessories.
The company started painting and dying shoes in 1986 and already has operations in countries including Dubai, Japan and New Zealand as well as across Europe.
Wendy Austin, the Rainbow Club's UK director, said: "We're looking forward to developing the market and this is a very big part of what we are trying to do.
"Our shoes are unique as every colour is made up by hand and eye. The big difference between our shoes and those off the shelf is that our colour matches will be spot on."
With the help of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the company identified two distributors on the Iberian Peninsula.
Business Development Manager Mylene Lafougere said: "We really wanted to extend into Spain and Portugal. At the moment it's just started and, as with any new distributor, progress is slow but sure.
"There has been a lot of interest from over there and we are very excited.
"Already we have a lady coming over from Portugal with an employee to train for two days on how to dye shoes. The people from Spain will follow shortly. And then each will have their own mini colour lab.
"What is so exciting about the shoes is all the different colours and people's needs. This is an expansion into a different market which has different customers and cultures. The amazing thing is that the process works successfully in all of these countries.
"Working with UKTI was a real partnership and we all wanted it to work. We went to Spain at the beginning of May to meet with four prospective distributors."
UKTI International Trade Advisor Karine Davies, who has been working with Rainbow Club, said: "UKTI provides businesses with the best network of international trade experts available, offering services and support help to businesses to get them the right contacts in the right markets fast, saving them time and money.
"Working with the British Embassy, we were able to provide extensive help and information to Mylene and her team ahead of the visit. This was essential to help them meet their target of trading there by May. We were really pleased to be able to help them meet and appoint two distributors, who are now working hard to secure new clients for Rainbow Club in both countries."
Be the first to comment