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Published on March 1, 2008

The Thai-Danish shoe-maker and exporter brings out spring, summer, autumn and winter collections every year. This year's spring and summer collections were laun-ched yesterday at Central Chidlom.

Retail manager Sermsri Ratanaphol said Ecco would focus this year on new shoe designs, making them look fashionable. It will also promote its formal shoes, since it is already well known for casual shoes, both men's and women's.

"The new design of Ecco's shoes this year can be adapted to all occasions, in order to serve the modern lifestyle of our customers. This will result in the expansion of our customer base," she said.

Ecco has no plan to open shops this year, because it is quite confident its 88 sales counters are enough to serve its customers.

However, its sales counters in Siam Paragon and Pattaya will be renovated at a cost of Bt1.5 million, in order to change their look to match the theme of Arena, which is the standard in Ecco outlets worldwide.

Ecco produces casual and golf footwear at its plant in Ayutthaya and exports to Ecco outlets around the world. It imports formal and children's shoes from Ecco plants abroad for distribution in the local market. About 40 per cent of its footwear sold here is imported.

Women's footwear is the company's top seller, but because of the fierce competition it is ranked fifth or sixth in the market. But in men's footwear, it ranks second or third.

"The company has earmarked a marketing budget of Bt8 million this year. We'll hold more marketing events to let consumers become more familiar with our Ecco brand. If possible, we'd like to be the market leader in all segments of shoes," she said.

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation