More News

• Padders For Kids

  Padders, with nearly 100 years’ experience of quality shoemaking, has extended its family to include Padders for kids at its factory outlet shop in Kettering. The shop has a relaxed atmosphere and is run by experienced and friendly staff under the management of Charlotte Lyddon. The best shoe fi tting service is available with quality brands including Geox, Lelli Kelly and Hush Puppies, in addition to the own Padders brand.

• Who says it is all doom and gloom and no good news?

  Are you an experienced shoe fitter but have not qualified as a member of The Society of Shoe Fitters?  What a pity, because we are always looking to promote staff and shops that do the job well and our members are well respected.  There has never been a better time to join us - you need every possible achievement to retain your customers and your staff in these tough times and with overwhelming competition.
   

• MEPHISTO SHOPS ARE A PROVEN MODEL FOR SUCCESS - MEPHISTO SHOP NEW YORK EXCEEDS ONE YEAR PROJECTIONS

  FRANKLIN, TN – March 2012 marked the one year anniversary for the flagship Mephisto Shop in New York.  Exceeding sales projections by 37%, it proved to be an expected success.  “We never doubted that this was a smart move for us to make for the Mephisto brand”, stated Rusty Hall, President and CEO for Mephisto, Inc. “We knew New York was the right market for us to launch our U.S. flagship store and the location has proven to be the perfect place to showcase our Mephisto collection”, he added. Located at 1040 3^rd Avenue, inTrumpPlaza, the Mephisto Shop has experienced consistent, substantial growth in sales every month since opening.

• Dachser now also present in Malaysia Kempten/Kuala Lumpur

  Dachser is continuing to pursue its worldwide expansion course and established a joint venture in Malaysia at the beginning of May.  The services provided by Dachser Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. range from air and sea freight business to customs clearance and other logistics services. Via its new joint venture partner, the company is also able to offer special transports. It is planned in the short term to employ a staff of 15 for the joint venture between Dachser and the Malaysian entrepreneur Ah Seng Tan (holdings in Multitrans, Megalift). The head office and at the same time first branch office are located in Petaling Jaya, near the capital Kuala Lumpur. There are also plans to open a second branch office.

• Wolverine Worldwide to Acquire Collective Brands’ Performance + Lifestyle Group

  Wolverine Worldwide Inc announces that it along with Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Collective Brands Inc. As part of the transaction, Wolverine will acquire Collective Brands’ Performance + Lifestyle Group (PLG), which consists of the Sperry Top-Sider, Saucony, Stride Rite and Keds brands. Adding these businesses to Wolverine’s existing portfolio, which is led by Merrell, Hush Puppies, Wolverine, Sebago and Caterpillar Footwear, amongst others.

• NEW APPOINTMENT AT JOSEF SEIBEL UK LTD

  Josef Seibel UK Ltd, agents of the Josef Seibel and Romika brands in the UK and Ireland, appoint to a newly created role of Brand Support Manager.   In order to support the continued growth of both the Josef Seibel and Romika brands in the UK and Ireland, the group has created a new role of Brand Support Manager. Lisa Vermeulen joined the Josef Seibel Group team on May 1^st bringing with her a wealth of experience in both the retail and wholesale footwear industry having held key positions with Clarks and most recently with the Florida Group where she developed the Pikolinos and Filippa Scott brands within the UK.

• GORE-TEX LONDON PREVIEW WITH JOHNNY BALL

• NEW ADDITIONS TO ROCKET DOG BRANDS

  Rocket Dog Brands International Ltd, based in Elstree, is pleased to announce the appointments of three key personnel to drive sales for the footwear brand in the UK and across Europe. Alex Cloote is to join the popular footwear brand as EU Export Manager. Alex comes to Rocket Dog Brands International Ltd most recently from Blowfish footwear. With a valued knowledge of the female footwear industry in Europe, Alex will be an invaluable asset to increase awareness and sales of Rocket Dog footwear across the continent.

• BESPOKE SHOEMAKING RETURNS TO NORTHAMPTON

  Shoemaker Nicholas Cooper is to launch his first collection at Northampton Museum's Made in Northampton exhibition which opens on the 12th of April and runs until the 20th of May 2012. Nicholas is the creator of Stamp Shoes, a new bespoke shoemaking company based in Northampton. Stamp continues the tradition of making classic English footwear whilst incorporating an unrestrained use of colour and experimental surface technique. The modern Deco inspired logo is tantamount to this new approach and a reminder that the brand wishes to remain at the cutting edge aesthetically.

• GLOBAL FOOTPRINT, Northamptonshire – CALL TO ARTISTS / DESIGNER-MAKERS -Boot / Shoe Design – Commission Opportunity

  Each region has its defining elements; Northamptonshire’s towns and villages enjoy a unique shared heritage recognised internationally for its boot and shoe industries, evidenced through Northampton Museum and Arts Gallery (NMAG), which houses the largest collection of shoe heritage in the world and designated as being of national and international importance. Accessories and Footwear are two of the fastest growing areas of the global fashion industry. It is a significant part of Northamptonshire’s creative economy as both an industry but also in terms of its reputation for excellence.

• KARL LAGERFELD ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS

  Under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld, one of the world’s most influential and iconic designers, KARL LAGERFELD is accelerating the development of its brand and business on a global level. KARL LAGERFELD announces appointments to its senior management based in the corporate headquarters in Amsterdam:
   

• A new website for MEPHISTO

  The high-end footwear specialist launches its new, completely redesigned internet website www.mephisto.com. This new international window for the company and its banner brand Mephisto presents a modern design with easy-to-use navigation features. Emphasis is placed on presenting in a clear manner the men/women collections. Each style may be visualized from different angles, important details such as outsole profiles, material combinations and leather treatments may be enlarged for better viewing by a simple click. And to round off the presentations, a preview of accessories, leather goods and shoe care products is included.

• WORTMANN still growing strong - 10.5% sales increase in the first half of the year - 10.5% sales increase in the first half of the year

  In the first 6 month period (Autumn-Winter season from June 1^st to November 30^th) of the company’s current fiscal year 2011/2012 (31.05.), the Wortmann Group was able to increase their sales to € 503.1 million (GBP 431.1 million). In the same period last year, sales were at € 455.3 million. This is an increase of 10.5%. Present in-house orders indicate a consolidated growth for the entire fiscal year totaling € 995 million (GBP 850 million). The previous year total sales were at € 957.7 million. The export share is likely to grow to 54% (previous year at 52.7%). MainlyRussia developed well amongst the export markets, where Wortmann is represented with its own subsidiaries. AlsoFrance was very successful. While the German market increased,Great Britain andIreland sales decreased slightly. The Asian Private Label business of Novi Footwear with customers from overseas is likely to be behind the last year. Shoes of the Wortmann Group are sold in over 70 countries worldwide in over 15,000 shoe stores.

• Chatham Marine announces it is the official provider of travel shoest o the Sahara Force India Formula One Team

  As the Grand Prix season gets underway, leading British deck shoe brand Chatham Marine announces it is the official provider of team travel shoes to the Sahara Force India Formula One Team for the 2012 season. Both stylish and functional,Chathamhas established its position as one ofBritain’s key marine footwear brands. The company's very British style combines traditional craftsmanship with innovation, durable materials and attention to detail.Chathamdeck shoes are well suited to life on the road and the busy demands of the Formula One travel schedule.

• New Appointment for Cherry Blossom

• ECCO Achieved Record Results in 2011

  “We are proud to be able to present the best results in the company’s history. We increased turnover by DKK 1 billion compared with 2010, delivering a bottom line of DKK 904 million,” says Chief Operating Officer Michael Hauge Sørensen, who continues: “A lot of things went well for ECCO in 2011, but the year was not without challenges. The low point came when our factory and tannery in Thailand were hit by massive floods in October. But our employees pulled together and displayed tremendous determination and ability to get things up and running again. In terms of products, we were spot on with our collections, which were well received all over the world. This was of vital importance in our emerging strongly from 2011. ECCO will not be resting on its laurels, however. We will continue to develop new exciting products and focus on even better customer service.

• International Footwear Foundation to be based in Northampton

  A recent collaboration between Northampton Museums and Art Gallery, The University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership and Northamptonshire County Council has secured funding to work towards the establishment of an International Footwear Foundation to be based in Northamptonshire.

• FDRA Publishes First-Ever Annual Footwear Sourcing Forecast

  March 15, 2012 – The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) released today the association’s first-ever Annual Footwear Sourcing Forecast.  This groundbreaking analysis uses current statistical trends, import data and knowledge of the industry to provide companies with a view into the future of global footwear sourcing.  The combined volatility of consumer demand and raw material costs has created enormous challenges for footwear sourcing in recent years.  After nearly a decade of relying on a China-first, and often China-only, model, U.S. footwear companies are faced with a changing reality of higher prices, shortages in labor, increased compliance costs and unstable consumer demand. 

• Check out SKECHERS hottest new star, Mr Quiggly!

• ANNUAL FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY AWARDS

  The Footwear Industry Awards, held on Sunday 19^th February 2012 to coincide with the Moda Show, at the Forest of Arden Hotel, 4 miles from Birmingham NEC, has been hailed as one of the best attended and most enjoyable awards events in the industry’s recent history. With over 220 guests it was a full house on the night! Tickets for event sold out a week before, with a waiting list for ‘no shows’.

• Hush Puppies introduce ‘Hemingway Design for Hush Puppies’

  Hush Puppies are proud to introduce their first premium British footwear collection for AW12 with the introduction of ‘Hemingway Design for Hush Puppies’ a standalone men’s footwear collection ‘Inspired by British Club Culture and Hush Puppies Iconic Heritage’.

• The Society of Shoe Fitters FITTING NEWS Spring 2012

  A warm welcome from the President - Here we are embarking on a new season in a tough retail world. Let's hope for once the weather will be kind to us all with a lovely long hot summer. That will cheer us up and make our bank accounts look better. Here in South West Wales it has been a very wet and mild winter.  In my establishment the next season’s stock is flooding in. Where will it all go? We are still crossing our fingers for ice and snow with the hope of selling more winter boots.