Kurt Geiger putting best foot forward in the US

Kurt Geiger is to open six stores in the United States as sales in America have overtaken the UK for the first time.

In its London home, the British shoe chain is giving a shot in the arm to Oxford Street with the recent opening of a glitzy flagship shop on the famous thoroughfare.

Boss Neil Clifford is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of the brand, which owns the Carvela label, by launching a Business by Design academy to help young people aged 18-20 forge careers in the creative industries. 

Kurt Geiger has been selling shoes and bags in the US for five years online and through department stores Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Dillards.

Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Emily Blunt are all known to be fans.

Clifford plans next year to open two stores in Florida, three in southern California and one in New York to capitalise on booming sales, which have hit £250 million, 70 per cent of which is handbags. The sales are 30 per cent more than the UK figure.

‘There is a sweet spot at around £300 for a bag. Not everyone can afford £4,000 for a designer handbag but a lot more people can aspire to save £300,’ Clifford said.

He added that he wants to be ‘part of the rejuvenation’ of Oxford Street after other leading retailers fear its allure to shoppers is dwindling and it has plunged downmarket. The company, which was founded by Austrian businessman Kurt Geiger, opened its first store on Bond Street in 1963.

It now has more than 70 stores worldwide and over 170 concessions in department stores such as Harrods and Selfridges.

The Business by Design academy will begin in January with 20 young people. The part-time programme is free and includes training in design, buying, e-commerce, sales and social media, along with paid work experience.

‘We did this for our 60 year anniversary instead of a posh party,’ Clifford said.

‘The British are very creative, if there were an Olympics, we would win the gold medals.’

• Applications for the academy are open until November 12. www.kurtgeiger.com/kurt-geiger-kindness-foundation