James, uKnead Group Founder - We wanted the uKnead retail shop to be an extension of health conscious, like-minded people; a place where people could meet and try out a wide variety of massagers; somewhere where they weren’t simply encouraged to dash in, buy an off-the-shelf massager without understanding their needs and dash out. We want them to stay longer, chat with the staff, and really understand which massagers would most effectively offer pain management.

      My wife Pattie and I spent a morning counting people walking up and down No.3 Road compared with people walking along Granville Street. Eventually we decided that the cheaper end of No. 3 Road, an at-the-time newly developed district with young families moving in everyday would be the best site.

      Being a new store, we knew that we had to find a store with large space for sign so people could see us clearly when they drive by. At the exact point where we counted the most people walking along the street, we started looking for an empty property. We saw a corner lot to what looked like an empty store, so we went in to see what it was like.

      "What are you doing?" a voice called up to us from behind. "We’re looking to set up a store," we said. "What kind of store?" Pattie and I came up to the front door and found the landlord looking confused. "A massager store," we said. "We don't want a massage parlor here," he said. "No, not that kind of massager," I laughed. "Gimme a sec, let me grab a sample from my car and I will show you what I mean."

      I brought out a first generation handheld massager and let Mr. Cole try it, his eyes lit up. "I want one," He said. "When can we get the lease going?" I replied. Within five days we had built shelves, set up the electrical, displayed all our products and set up an office. The first uKnead store was ready for business. We are now the largest massager and massage chair specialty store in Western Canada.

      This is one of the many products we sold in our first retail store, a drum roller machine that looks more like a musical instrument than a massager. The original design was invented in the late 40's, the drum roller machine was a dual purpose massager that aimed to help burn fat in the belly and thigh areas while tenderizing muscle groups. Like many electronics of the era that took on the evolution trend between and up to the 90's, our drum roller machine was not only much smaller than the original 40's design, but also more pleasing to the eye. (Pleasing in terms of the 90's style if you get what I mean.)

Between 2000 to 2008, we became an authorized dealer of the largest name brands in the massager industry, including Panasonic, Sanyo, and Fujiiryoki Japan. We provided the largest selection of massage chairs and massagers in Western Canada, a truly one-stop shop for all things massage. Striving to provide high quality products at affordable prices, our expertise and ideas for technical innovation led to the development and growth of our own brand. Unlike major corporations, we interact with our retail customers on a daily basis, and listen to what the end consumer wants. Which is why each of our product offerings is fine tuned to suit what you need (Another uKnead joke here, ha!)

Between 2000 to 2008, we became an authorized dealer of the largest name brands in the massager industry, including Panasonic, Sanyo, and Fujiiryoki Japan. We provided the largest selection of massage chairs and massagers in Western Canada, a truly one-stop shop for all things massage. Striving to provide high quality products at affordable prices, our expertise and ideas for technical innovation led to the development and growth of our own brand. Unlike major corporations, we interact with our retail customers on a daily basis, and listen to what the end consumer wants. Which is why each of our product offerings is fine tuned to suit what you need (Another uKnead joke here, ha!)

Between 2000 to 2008, we became an authorized dealer of the largest name brands in the massager industry, including Panasonic, Sanyo, and Fujiiryoki Japan. We provided the largest selection of massage chairs and massagers in Western Canada, a truly one-stop shop for all things massage. Striving to provide high quality products at affordable prices, our expertise and ideas for technical innovation led to the development and growth of our own brand. Unlike major corporations, we interact with our retail customers on a daily basis, and listen to what the end consumer wants. Which is why each of our product offerings is fine tuned to suit what you need (Another uKnead joke here, ha!)

Our 300,000 square foot warehouse is equipped with full racking, shelving, and bulk storage locations. With a specific facility designed for our products, we ensure that all of our products remain stored in the most appropriate manner and place. Our products are handled with care from the second it arrives to ensure that all products we send out are in top condition.

      Following the arrival of our products, our in-house logistics management system gets to work with measures aimed at rendering the most functional storage and transportation options. Through a robust and high-end warehouse management system and state-of-the-art scanning equipment, our facility is able to handle all customer shipments, exchanges and returns in a timely manner.

With 7 logistic hubs across United States and Canada, our network of over 2 million square feet of warehouse storage space ensures our customers receive their products in the shortest time possible. Our strategic logistic partners equipped with top tier warehouse management system provide our customers with quick stress-free service, short lead times, as well as easy exchanges and returns.

At uKnead, we strive to provide the best massage products on the market to our customers. With roots in traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores, we are fortunate to be able to communicate closely with our customers face-to-face and hear their success stories with uKnead products. This is precisely what motivates us to improve our products – to hear about how we have improved your life with our products. This is what drives us to provide above par family style customer service, to treat each customer personally and maintain close relationships. Please do reach out to us after you receive and use your purchase. We love hearing feedback from our customers!

"Behind sales and profit figures, we must not forget where we come from; our goal when we started this company has always been and will always be, to improve people's lives through our products, directly or indirectly." - John, CEO of uKnead

As a small family business based in Southern California, it is our goal to maintain a sustainable business while giving back to the local community. Your purchase not only directly contributes to the local economy, but also provides us with the opportunity to sponsor local charities! We are a proud sponsor of the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), as well as various animal rescue groups and shelters. With your support, we are able to pay it forward, to help and improve lives in the ways we know how. And for that, we thank you for supporting our cause.

"Behind sales and profit figures, we must not forget where we come from; our goal when we started this company has always been and will always be, to improve people's lives through our products, directly or indirectly." - John, CEO of uKnead

As a small family business based in Southern California, it is our goal to maintain a sustainable business while giving back to the local community. Your purchase not only directly contributes to the local economy, but also provides us with the opportunity to sponsor local charities! We are a proud sponsor of the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), as well as various animal rescue groups and shelters. With your support, we are able to pay it forward, to help and improve lives in the ways we know how. And for that, we thank you for supporting our cause.

"Behind sales and profit figures, we must not forget where we come from; our goal when we started this company has always been and will always be, to improve people's lives through our products, directly or indirectly."
- John, CEO of uKnead

As a small family business based in Southern California, it is our goal to maintain a sustainable business while giving back to the local community. Your purchase not only directly contributes to the local economy, but also provides us with the opportunity to sponsor local charities! We are a proud sponsor of the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), as well as various animal rescue groups and shelters. With your support, we are able to pay it forward, to help and improve lives in the ways we know how. And for that, we thank you for supporting our cause.