For those who don’t know, Birkenstock is an old German shoe brand first registered in 1774 by its founder Johann Adam Birkenstock. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that Birkenstock achieved fame as its sandals suddenly started making their way all over the world. The shoes have a rubber sole and a cork footbed that fits the contours of the foot perfectly according to enthusiasts. According to tradition, this is because the factory making the shoes based the design on a footprint in sand. The result is “a sandal that feels great,” says Jolanda Kremer of Birk.nl.

And Kremer should know; Birk.nl sells dozens of pairs every day, using the services of TNT Post Parcel Service to get them to its customers. The target audience is no longer dominated by dentists, nurses and other professionals who spend long hours on their feet. Countless consumers now wear them as casual footwear. “Birkenstocks are so incredibly comfortable,” continues Kramer. “And they look good too. Once you buy a pair you’ll never want anything else ever again.”

No-nonsense footwear is what it’s all about. But can the same be said for Birk.nl? “Absolutely,” replies Kremer. “Birk.nl is a plain, honest webshop. We aim to exude a clear-cut and reliable image, by taking a lenient approach to exchanges and complaints for example – not that we get many complaints. And we don’t charge our customers for dispatch with TNT Post Parcel Service; they simply pay the price of the shoes.”

Birk.nl sets itself apart in another way too; the webshop is almost fully dedicated to Birkenstock and the affiliated brands Papillio and Birki. “In most shops it’s just one of many brands,” explains Kremer. “That’s not the case at Birk.nl, which is why we can offer such a wide range. And all the different shoes are delivered by mail without a hitch,” she replies when asked. “We’ve made excellent arrangements with TNT Post Parcel Service, who we’ve been working with for many years now.” Silence suddenly descends, because the whole mail dispatch process is not, admittedly, something Kremer ever stops to think about. “Why would I? It always goes so well. That’s a compliment in itself isn’t it?” Indeed, there’s no arguing with that…