More News

• The Society of Shoe Fitters 53rd AGM held in London

  The Society of Shoe Fitters recently held its 53^rd AGM in London. The Society would like to thank Jan Parry of Parry Shoes, Haverfordwest, S. Wales, for completing her two year term in office as President so successfully.  Jan helped to drive forward the SSF Infant Fitting Gauges and the recent National Shoe Fitting Week - Keep Feet Fit as well as a great supporter of the Footwear Awards, which aimed to recognise the smaller people within the footwear industry. all notable landmark's in the colourful SSF history

• UKFT accounces increased funding for trade shows

  The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has announced a dramatic increase in funding for UK exporters to take part in key international trade shows. In the financial year 2013/4 and 2014/5, UKFT has received a commitment from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to almost double the amount of money available. Grants for European shows will increase from £1000 to £1500 per show and exhibitors at key US shows will see grants almost double to £2000. For shows in Europe and the US, UK SME companies will have a lifetime allocation of 6 grant supported shows. In addition, for shows in emerging markets, such as China, Hong Kong and Russia, companies will be eligible for a further 6 grants and for these markets the grants will range from £2500 to £3000.

• BFA appoints new Sales and Marketing Director

  The British Footwear Association (BFA) has announced the appointment of John Saunders in the new role of Sales and Marketing Director. John, 55, has over 30 years experience in the footwear industry, having worked internationally and in export with SSL/ Scholl at director level and in senior roles with US company Brown Shoe Corporation, Florida Group and Start-rite.

• GOLA APPOINT NEW SALES AGENTS IN UK & IRELAND

  To support continued business growth at Gola, the company is pleased to announce the appointment of two new sales agents from Lime Green Agencies who will cover sales across Eire and Northern Ireland. Brian O’Sullivan, based in Cork, will cover the south part of Eire, whilst Jamie Lewis, based in County Mayo, will cover the north part of Eire, along with Northern Ireland. Together the two will work on the sales and distribution of Gola footwear, apparel and bags and any opportunities also arising for Lonsdale.

• Graduate Business Stepping In To Westminster

  Founders of online designer shoes company KindredSole.com are amongst graduate entrepreneurs highlighted at a Westminster event 'Start-up: a story' next week.Montfort University Fashion Retail Buying graduates Lizze Leary and Beth Widdowson will meet MPs at the Houses of Parliament on 16 April. The event by University Alliance will highlight and celebrate the impact graduate entrepreneurs have on the UK economy by telling their start-up stories. Hosted by Paul Blomfield MP and keynote speaker Rt Hon Vince Cable MP will join the successful graduate entrepreneurs, those involved running university incubation centres and enterprise support as well as Parliamentarians.
   
  

• UFOs Responsible For Missing Socks – New Evidence

  Government data on Flying Saucers explains the national obsession of looking for lost socks. Recent reports made public from the National Archive have shown an increasing number of UFO sightings over the United Kingdom since the Second World War; which high-level defence, weather and technology experts have gone to great lengths to explain.  However, the rise of 'flying saucer' sightings has a direct correlation to the steady increase of lost socks over the last decades, which Ministry of Defence officials have been quite unable - or unwilling - to explain, Britain's hardest-working sock subscription service has found out.

• Chatham Marine Announced as Official Footwear Sponsor of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week

  Chatham Marine is delighted to announce it has signed up to join Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week’s family of event sponsors as Official Footwear Sponsor to the regatta. Award-winning Chatham Marine combines very British styling and traditional craftsmanship with innovative design to create deck shoes that appeal to today’s sailors, and is ideally matched with this iconic British sailing event

• Hotter opened its 50th branded store in Milton Keynes on March 7th - 36 months ago, the company had just five.

  The innovative multi-channel retailer embarked on its expansion programme after developing a winning formula of product, service and shopping environment which underlined its mantra that "customers are for life". Retail expansion continues, with Hotter (http://www.hottershoes.com/ ) planning a 20 more openings by the end of the year, adding a further 200 jobs to the 200 it created in 2012.

• Footwear Today Magazine Best Sellers Panellist Shooze With Sole wins £35k from Scottish Edge Fund

  Shooze With Sole, a children's and adults footwear company from Ayrshire, has won 35k as one of 20 finalists in the Government’s Scottish Edge Fund. The award was opened in November last year to companies who had the potential to expand, increase sales and employ staff. Shooze With Sole began in March 2012 and currently has stores in Ayr, Kilmarnock and Troon. The company now employs 13 staff, 2 of them who were previously unemployed through the local council modern apprentice scheme.

• Geox and W.L. Gore & Associates reach agreement on

  Date: 1 March 2013, Place: UK. The Italian shoe & fashion brand Geox and W.L. Gore & Associates havereached an agreement and declared an end to their current disputes regardingcertain GEOX patents in respect of GORE-TEX® Footwear with Gore’s SURROUND™ Product Technology. The agreement reached also resolves all legal disputes between Geox and Gore brand partners and retailers. The disputes had been triggered by the launch of Gore's SURROUND™ Product Technology, which was followed by legal measures in several European countries to secure the intellectual property.

• Registration is now open for the UKFT and Fox Williams' agents and distributors in fashion seminar - Tuesday19 March 4.00pm to 6.00pm

  The three ages of an agent (with apologies to Titian)
  and Why taking back exclusive rights from a distributor may not be such a smart move

• FIRST SCHOOL SET COLLECTION FROM DANISH PREMIUM FOOTWEAR BRAND ANGULUS

  Perennial best seller Angulus, known throughout the world for its commitment to quality and design, is introducing its first school ‘set’ collection available in stock from May 2013. Angulus is introducing new styles as well keeping existing bestsellers in red, black, blue, brown, patent and nubuk. The exclusive collection is broader than before as it offers fifteen different options for young girls, six for teenagers and thirteen for boys.

• Redundant stock

  Redundant stock can make a huge difference to the lives of those living below the poverty line in communities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. WJR’s Gifts in Kind provides humanitarian aid directly from the UK to communities in need, normally within weeks. The goods are arranged, sorted and re-packed in our warehouse. We then ship containers to communities in desperate need. At the other end, they are distributed under the strict supervision of professional, locally based community workers. The items are not sold but go straight to those who need them.

• The second edition of the Footwear Industry Awards an even bigger success

  Organised by Datateam Business Media for the industry, with the support of the British Footwear Association (BFA), Independent Footwear Retailers Association (IFRA), the Society of Shoe Fitters (SSF) and Footwear Today, The Footwear Industry Awards were held on the first night of the Moda Footwear Show, Sunday 17th February 2013 at the National Motorcycle Museum. Building on last year's fantastic debut, this year's event was an even bigger success. Following a voting process in which over 2000 individuals had their say, the trade united to celebrate award winning products, people, retailers and services.

• Congratulations to all the Winners!

  Organised by Datateam Business Media for the industry, with the support of BFA, IFRA, Society of Shoe Fitters and Footwear Today, The Footwear Industry Awards were held on the first night of the Moda Footwear Show, Sunday 17th February 2013 at the National Motorcycle Museum. This fantastic evening, in which excellence was rewarded at every level, was attended by over 250 guests and we are delighted to reveal this year's winners.

• Last chance to book tickets for the Footwear Industry Awards

  If you would like to guarantee seats at the Footwear Industry Awards, please be aware that final bookings will be taken on Wednesday. After this time, only a limited number of tickets will be available on a first come first served basis, by calling Sam Baughan on 07733 042104 or on the Sunday from the Footwear Today stand at Moda (T41).

• Book your tickets for The Footwear Industry Awards TODAY!
• Datateam Business Media announces The Footwear Industry Awards Finalists

  Following on from the success of last year, nominations for the Footwear Industry Awards opened in October, with over 300 individuals nominating over the next 7 weeks.

• “Guido Maria Kretschmer for Högl”: World premiere at Berlin Fashion Week

  GUIDO MARIA KRETSCHMER for HÖGL – This year’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Show featured a spectacular world premiere on the catwalk. Top German designer Guido Maria Kretschmer’s first footwear collection was showcased with the presentation of his autumn/winter 2013 “OKAPI” collection.

• Philip Marsh wins Young Business Person of the Year award

  Chatham Marine’s Managing Director, Philip Marsh, last night won the Scott Deverell Young Business Person of the Year award at the Marine Trades Association/Boating Business dinner. The annual awards ceremony recognises the achievements of both businesses and individuals in the UK leisure marine industry.

• Steptronic Footwear appoints Rainbow 360 Media Ltd

  Comfort footwear supplier, Steptronic Footwear has seen outstanding growth in its first three years of trading, now boasting over 1500 trading accounts. The Northamptonshire Company has recently appointed Rainbow 360 Media Ltd to oversee and run its PR and Marketing going forwards

• KEEP FEET FIT

  The Society of Shoe Fitters has announced that it will be launching National Shoe Fitting Week, under the banner Keep Feet ‘Fit’ on March ^25th 2013 – the week leading up to Easter. The SSF, which operates on a non-profit basis, wants to raise national awareness of importance have having footwear fitted, and the vital service independent shoe retailers provide to the public.  We want the public to start thinking about their feet and how they buy their shoes. We are hoping that ALL shoe retailers, not just SSF members, will join us in promoting Keep Feet ‘Fit’ and that they can use this initiative to create their own promotion’s leading up to Easter week – a time traditionally when the media write about feet and footwear and people discard their boots and start thinking shoes, sandals and holidays. Hopefully it will give the trade a much needed kick-start after the cold, wet weather.

• FOOTWEAR FRIENDS – LONDON MARATHON APPEAL 2013

  Our Marathon Appeal this year was so successful and so important to us that we have decided to do it again – as our primary fund raising event in 2013. This year we are fortunate in having a great runner in Paul Taylor who works for Romika and who is bursting to get to the start line in April and who has some great ideas on sponsorship and other ways of raising money for Footwear Friends. We have jointly pledged to raise £ 15,000 and all of this will go directly to helping those people who have given many years of service to the trade but whom are finding life difficult at the moment. Never has Footwear Friends been so relevant as it is now! All you have to do is follow the link to our Virgin Money Giving page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1002447&pageId=258522 and follow the instructions OR send a cheque to Footwear Friends made out to Footwear Friends. Would you please write “Marathon” on the back of your cheque.

• Chatham - Stepping up in style

  Chatham Regional Sales Manager, Alex Peirce, completes the British Footwear Association’s Foundation Course in Footwear Technology. The industry-led 12 month course covers 10 technical modules including fitting; materials; construction; design; supply chain; costing; quality systems and factory visits to British footwear manufacturers – giving students firsthand insight into how shoes are made.

• DUO forges ahead with Wholesale

  Tailored Boot specialist DUO is extending its wholesale offer for AW13. The Somerset-based company, who have 5 international websites and flagship stores in Bath, London and Edinburgh, will appoint further stockists to meet customer demand for points of sale on the high street. Cat Travers, DUO’s wholesale manager told us “We trialled wholesale with select stockists this year and have been delighted with the results. We intend to build on this success with a larger wholesale collection and a business model which allows stockists in-season replenishment.”

• Dachser acquires Iberian partner Azkar
  • Azkar generated revenue of EUR 367 million in 2011 and employed a staff of over 3,000
  • Successful partnership since 2007
  • Acquisition strengthens Dachser’s pan-European overland transport network

• navabi makes its first steps into footwear

  ^{As Jimmy Choo once said ‘The right shoe can make everything different.’ With the right footwear you exude confidence, but navabi knows that the fit is just as important as the design. With so many women having difficulty finding that perfect fit, navabi is excited to announce their first foray into footwear as they begin stocking collections from Head Over Heels and JJ Footwear.}

• Nominations for the Footwear Industry Awards are now closed!

  Datateam Business Media is delighted to announce that over 300 individuals have placed nominations for the Footwear Industry Awards, covering the full A-Z of brands and retailers!

• Sponsors flock to sign up for the 2013 event

  The Footwear Industry Awards will be held on the first night of the Moda Footwear Show, Sunday 17th February 2013 at the National Motorcycle Museum and we are delighted to announce that the highly coveted 'Footwear Brand of the Year' award is to be sponsored by the event itself. Sean O'Connor, Event Director said: "Moda Footwear is happy to support the Footwear Industry Awards once again next year. There is a real synergy between the national awards ceremony and the trade's national footwear exhibition, and we are looking forward to joining the industry once again for another great night of celebrations and accolades."

• Footwear Industry Awards - Get yourself nominated!

  Have you nominated yet? The Footwear Industry Awards is calling on ALL members of the footwear trade to nominate a retailer or supplier/brand for an award at the 2013 event. You can nominate someone else, or your own company - multiple nominations are allowed via one simple online form.

  Get yourself nominated!

  Be quick! Nominations close 30th November (only 11 days!)

  Nominations are open for the Footwear Industry Awards 2013, but with just over two weeks to go, now is the time to step up the campaign! How? We have created a collection of marketing tools designed to get you noticed - simply add them to your website and see the nominations come flooding in!

  Yes you can self nominate, but to put yourself in an even stronger position when voting begins start raising your profile now!

  Choose from a banner, skyscraper or button to put on your website, though of course you could go really mad and use all three! Please link your chosen ad position to this address: http://www.footwearindustryawards.com/nominations

  In the meantime, if you would like to nominate another retailer, brand or individual for an award, you can do so HERE or to nominate by post, simply download the PDF HERE and send it back to us by the 30th November!

• Footwear Industry Awards - Nominate now!

  Have you nominated yet? The Footwear Industry Awards is calling on ALL members of the footwear trade to nominate a retailer or supplier/brand for an award at the 2013 event. You can nominate someone else, or your own company - multiple nominations are allowed via one simple online form.  But be quick! The 30th November deadline will soon be upon us. You can nominate online by clicking HERE or by post; simply download the nomination form and send it back to us.

• Jackson Distribution launches Brakeburn with HSBC backing

  Poole-based fashion distributor Jackson Distribution has secured a comprehensive finance package from HSBC’s Dorset Commercial team to support the launch of its own footwear and apparel brand, Brakeburn. Jackson Distribution was founded in 2005 by current owner Nick Jackson and holds the UK and European rights to distribute pop star Avril Lavigne’s Abbey Dawn fashion brand, as well as the Iron Fist range of clothing, footwear and accessories. Turnover at the company is expected to hit £8million this year, and the company is targeting a turnover in excess of £10million in 2013, with further growth expected in 2014.

• David Roberts' Grand Anniversary Draw

  Everyone at David Roberts would like to thank our customers for their support and generosity towards this draw. Mr. Andrew Roberts, the third generation of the Roberts’ family, who has run the business for the past 45 years, is shown presenting a cheque for £5,150 to Mrs. Beverley Bradley the area fundraiser for Ty Gobaith.         David Roberts celebrated 90 years of Shoe Fitting on May 17^th 2012, at their site of Knightsbridge House, Gloddaeth Street, Llandudno. The founder David Roberts, having resigned his post, back in 1921 as Buyer of the Shoe Department of Harrods of Knightsbridge, London, to bring his family back to his native North Wales, hence the use of Knightsbridge in his new house in Llandudno.  

• RIEKER ANNOUNCE WINNER OF £500 ANTISTRESS WEEKEND

  Rieker is delighted to announce that Mrs Clarissa Martins from Wadhurst, East Sussex has won a luxury antistress spa weekend of her choice worth up to £500. Rieker the world’s leading antistress footwear brand launched the competition through the Women’s Institute Membership Booklet and the response was immense. All readers had to do was buy a pair of Rieker shoes or sandals from the Spring/Summer collection and post the competition entry to Rieker.

• SKYFALL - 007 - James Bond wears Crockett & Jones shoes in the new film, SKYFALL.

  WELL, IF THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR JAMES BOND….

• DORIS & DAISY WINS RETAIL EXCELLENCE ACCOLADE

  Independent shoe shop Doris & Daisy has been recognised by winning through to the finals of the prestigious Dorset Business Awards. The Wimborne based shop, which is fast building an outstanding reputation for the quality and range of their shoes has won through to the final of the Retail Excellence Award.

• Annual Agent Law Seminar

  On 29 November 2012 Fox Williams will be holding its annual agent law seminar. The seminar will be held at its offices at Ten Dominion Street, London, EC2M 2EE.  Registration will be from 6.00 pm with the talks starting at 6.30 pm followed by drinks and canapés starting at 8.00 pm. There is no charge for attending the seminar. The full line up of topics and speakers are:

• COUNTESS OF WESSEX TO VISIT HOTTER SHOES

  The Countess of Wessex will visit the UK’s biggest shoe maker Hotter Comfort Concept on Monday October 15th. Her Royal Highness will take part in a tour of the factory which makes one on every three pairs of shoes made in the UK. She will also meet staff in the company’s UK and USA customer service centres and be introduced to the team behind Hotter’s current retail expansion programme – which has spearheaded the opening of over 35 stores in the past two years.
  
  

• Another step in the right direction for Chatham

  Chatham announces the appointment of two key new members of staff and a considerable promotion. Joining Chatham is new sales director, Ian O'Connor, product and marketing assistant, Kathryn Lythgoe and Alex Peirce, former product and marketing assistant, has been promoted to regional sales manager.

• Dubarry of Ireland to open Dublin flagship store

  Irish heritage fashion brand Dubarry will open its first flagship store in Dublin’s new 35 College Green development, in October.  The retail unit measures around 170sqm and will house Dubarry’s international premium performance lifestyle collection, which includes its world-renowned Dubarry boots as well as clothing, bags and accessories.

• An overwhelming majority of fashion retailers believe mobile shopping should form an essential part of their business according to a new survey commissioned by leading mCommerce experts MoPowered.

  A staggering 84% of the small-to-medium sized fashion enterprises (SMEs) that were surveyed by independent online and mobile research agency, OnePoll, did not have a mobile site, but 89% believed mCommerce to be essential to the future success of their business. 

• WORTMANN Group enjoys further growth in sales - Sales reach EUR 999.3 million in fiscal year 2011/12 (31st May)

  The Wortmann Group, based in Detmold, continued on its course of growth despite the flagging economic situation in the fiscal year 2011/12 (31^st May) and was able to increase sales by 4.3% to EUR 999.3 million (GBP 851.2 million). The previous year saw total sales of EUR 957.7 million. The export quota rose slightly to 52.9% (previous year 52.7%). Among the foreign markets,Russia, theCzechRepublic,Switzerland and theBenelux countries in particular saw above average growth. While the domestic market also enjoyed growth, the difficult economic situation inGreat Britain andIreland led to a fall in sales there. The Asian private label business Novi Footwear, based in Hong Kong andSingapore and with overseas customers, was unable to match the sales of the previous year and had to deal with a drop in sales last year. The Wortmann Group’s collections are sold in over 70 countries and over 15,000 shoe shops worldwide.

• Footwear Friends Annual Awards

  Footwear Friends, the footwear industry charity, has announced the sixth year of its prestigious Annual Awards aimed at recognising and helping develop British Design and Entrepreneurial talent. The Awards include substantial cash prizes and probably more importantly a 12-month mentoring programme by senior individuals in the footwear industry. Entry is open to people in the following categories who are determined to build a footwear career in the UK.

• Chatham backs future Olympic eventing hopeful

  Leading casual and outdoor footwear and clothing brand Chatham has agreed a sponsorship deal with eventing champion and future Olympic hopeful, Emma Hyslop. Impressed with the comfort and style of Chatham’s footwear and how practical the clothing is, event rider Emma has chosen Chatham as her preferred brand, to train in and wear when she’s out and about. 

• MANCHESTER SHOE AND BAG SHOW 11th and 12th September 2012

  Opening times: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. RENAISSANCE MANCHESTER HOTEL, BLACKFRIARS STREET, MANCHESTER, M3 2EQ. TEL.0161 831 6015 Multi storey car park next door to hotel. Showing: Sachelle Couture, Vanilla Moon,Olga Berg, Cara London, Caprice.  Zoe & Brian Agencies Ltd

• G.H WARNER FOOTWEAR SECURES DISTRIBUTION FOR GRENDENE BRANDS

  The exclusive UK and Ireland distribution rights for Ipanema, Rider and Grendha have been appointed to G.H Warner Footwear Ltd, effective for the Spring Summer 2013 season.The three brands, produced by Brazil’s largest producer of footwear, Grendene, have enjoyed success since their launch to the UK market.  The premium summer footwear ranges are manufactured in Brazil using 100% recyclable, mould-injected PVC, creating the most comfortable and sustainable flip flops and sandals on the UK market.