Robins Kitchen - Australia's largest privately owned kitchenware retailer - is defying the economic conditions, opening its 31st store.

The last store opening for 2008 was at Runaway Bay Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast on December 11.

"We've had that in our sights for some time. It already had a privately-owned kitchenware store, however when they elected not to renew their lease we were the first to be contacted. The store opened at a perfect time to take advantage of Christmas trade," GM Shane Hicks said.

"We went into Christmas with nine more stores than last year, which on top of the business' double digit comp store growth, has certainly made for a hectic year," said Hicks.

"We actually only planned to open five or six new stores, but some fantastic opportunities came our way and we decided to run with them. Our company goal is to inspire great home cooking and in the current economic environment, home cooking really has become more fashionable than ever," said Hicks.

"One of the reasons we took on more stores than planned, is because we opened our first NSW store in February this year. From day one it has traded well above expectations and this has given us confidence to push further into NSW."

In October, Robins Kitchen opened in Tamworth and then in Grafton in November – with both trading well above initial expectations.

"We have found the people in these towns genuinely excited about getting a specialised kitchenware store and we have been amazed at how many customers are familiar with the brand, considering that until this year Robins Kitchen had not operated outside of Queensland," Hicks said.

As for 2009, Hicks said that given the recent economic conditions Robins Kitchen had deliberately not made too many plans for new store expansion - although it does have Robina Town Centre locked in for a March opening.

"Come February, we expect that there will be a number of opportunities out there and we will be in a position to move on them if the terms meet the market," Hicks concluded.