Australian footwear business Munro Footwear Group has acquired the Ziera and Kumfs brands through its wholesale division Styling Services.
Ziera, formerly branded as Kumfs, was placed into voluntary administration in September. After no interest was secured to purchase the entire Ziera business, it was then announced in November that the business would close stores in Australia and New Zealand.
At the time of announcing store closures, administrator Conor Elhinney a "slimmed down" version of the business could attract buyers in the future.
This prediction has come to fruition with the MFG acquisition not extending to the Ziera-branded retail operations which will continue to be closed by the administrators.
This process is expected to take until the end of the year at which point the Ziera website will transfer to MFG.
During this time the Styling Services team will continue to work closely with the Ziera business, its factories and current wholesale customers to ensure a smooth transition.
MFG CEO Jay Munro said that the acquisition will expand the business' portfolio of comfort brands.
"We know how important comfort is to our customers and that comfort is a rapidly growing category, and Ziera is a name synonymous with comfort.
"By combining Ziera’s 70 years of expertise in comfort technology with our successful history in supplying independent and major retailers, I’m confident that we will further develop the Ziera brand and offering for current and future customers.
"On behalf of the Munro Family and Styling Services, I warmly welcome the Ziera brand and customers into our Group.
"We’re genuinely excited about the opportunity of adding our touch to what has been an industry leading and iconic comfort brand," he said.
Ziera will join Styling Services' wholesale brands including Colorado, Diana Ferrari and Mollini.