Danish shoe brand ECCO will continue to open multiple Canadian locations over the next several years. We spoke with the company's Canadian President for details.

ECCO was founded in Bredebro, Denmark, in 1963. It is sold in 88 countries worldwide in over 3,000 ECCO shops and shop-in-stores, at more than 14,000 sales points around the world. The brand has since expanded into accessories and small leather goods. ECCO opened its first Canadian store in 1997.

According to ECCO Shoes Canada Inc. President, Jordan Searle, ECCO is looking to open approximately three to four Canadian stores each year over the next five years. This would eventually take its Canadian store count from 27 locations to about 40. The company is seeing exceptional growth in Canada, with sales up 9% in 2015 over the year prior.

Mr. Searle said that ECCO is particularly interested in opening more store locations in the B.C. Lower Mainland, Greater Toronto Area, and in Montreal and Quebec City. The company is looking for both enclosed mall and strong high-street locations, ideally in the 1,000 to 1,200 square foot range. It is also looking to open in outlet centres, ideally in the 2,000 to 2,500 square foot range. Northwest Atlantic represents ECCO in Canada.

Mr. Searle also said that ECCO would consider opening shop-in-store concessions within department stores if opportunities presented, though nothing is currently in the works.

ECCO has seen tremendous international sales growth as well. Net sales in 2015 increased 7.4%, reaching EUR 1.3 billion with before-tax profit of EUR 183 million.

Contact retail insider: insider@retail-insider.com.

Canadian Retail News From Around The Web: March 16, 2016