Footwear retailer Dune is preparing to ramp up its multichannel strategy as it outlines plans for international expansion.

The retailer is testing in-store kiosks and iPads featuring localised apps for three stores in London, Manchester and Gatwick Airport. The features will be rolled out more widely in the coming 12 months, according to Dune IT director Jamie Ovenden. He added that the retailer also plans a new smartphone app.

To ensure the new channels run smoothly, Dune has implemented a content delivery network to improve the speed and performance of its website.

Ovenden said: “Doing it now is key, rather than in a year’s time when we have lots of channels. Abandonment on websites shoots up if pages take a long time to load.”

The retailer also plans an international push, with website launches pencilled in for Germany and France. In addition to the new content network, which was provided by Level 3 Communications, Dune is working on creating a single cross-channel view of its stock.