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• 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 

  Paul Lister has recently been appointed by Grangers International as the UK Sales and Marketing Manager for Cherry Blossom, one of its corporate brands. Paul brings with him over over thirty years of expertise in the footwear and sports industry working with companies such as: Spotless Punch, Oakley, Gola and Olympus Sports. He says of his move: “I am very proud to be working for an outstanding British manufacturer of shoe and apparel care products. Grangers International has such a comprehensive range of manufacturing accreditations that make the company unique in the world for the ‘aftercare’ category. I am really looking forward to working with retailers and distributors in developing the Cherry Blossom Premium business within the specialist trades, where we are already showing very positive signs for long term growth.”

   

• 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.

• 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.