Local men's fashion website Kaeho is challenging competition via a fresh business approach which puts the customer first.
The online store, which stocks brands such as G-Star Raw, Cheap Monday and Dr. Denim, encourages customers to order what they want in as many sizes as they’d like, and try on product in their own home.
Customers can also send back anything that doesn’t fit or they don’t like for a full refund, with Kaeho covering the overnight shipping, both ways.
Co-founders Daniel Clark and Joseph Vuong established the business in October 2010 with a goal to raise the standard of Australian online shopping.
Now they are hoping the concept, a direct response to competitive offshore e-tailers such as Asos, will provide a local and viable alternative for Australian consumers.
“While Australian discount shopping online is booming, what if people don’t want to buy the rubbish they [other online retailers] sell? What if people want good quality brands, with overnight delivery, and from a company that focuses on them? They haven’t had a local option until we came along,” Clark said.
“We’re probably the easiest retailer to deal with, because we focus on customers and not profits. As consumers ourselves, we don’t like it when retailers lock us in. So we don’t lock in our customers. If you don’t like what you ordered, we’ll refund your card within 24 hours and we’ll pay the shipping so you’re not out of pocket.”
Clark believes Kaeho also holds a competitive advantage over local and international rivals.
“Many Australian retailers have been slow to develop their online offering. Often prioritising investment in 'bricks over clicks', or if they have launched a website, they haven’t done it right. This has led to people heading to overseas online retailers to buy their fashion, hurting the local industry and local jobs,” he said.
“The future of online retailing isn’t all about price, it’s about getting exactly what you want, when you want it, without fuss. Freeing up your time to do something better. We’re here for people who value that.”