Quick Schuh, the German discount-oriented franchising subsidiary of the Ariston-Nord-West-Ring group, has reported a sales increase of 2.3 percent to €138 million for the affiliated stores in 2005. It was the first increase in 11 years, and the retailers’ profitability improved. While some franchisees left the organization, the remaining ones set up 12 new shops and moved 14 other locations to larger and better premises. Quick Schuh is working with an increasing number of brands. Birkenstock and KangaROOS are being added for the current selling season to the likes of Esprit and Rieker.