Following the administration of the Barratts Priceless Group, Jacobson Group has bought the intellectual property rights to the Dolcis brand. Dolcis is a great complement to the Jacobson stable of brands; it will sit well in the group’s existing portfolio which includes Gola, Lotus, Ravel and Frank Wright. 

This Spring, Lunar will be exhibiting the magnificent Autumn/Winter `12 collection. The range is the largest ever offered by the brand with an even vaster array of fantastic styles, colours, and fabulous new materials.  Our Elegance collection, has gone from strength to strength, and with this season bringing more stunning modern platform styles, along with a good selection of low heel designs, it is certain there is a style to cater for every age or occasion.

AW12 represents an exciting move on for the Van Dal brand. Whilst a consistent performer in the formal shoe listings in magazines such as Drapers and your very own Footwear Today the brand continues to make significant progress in modernising its collection and mainstream appeal. This season the brand has invested heavily in broadening its collection further still with new categories including waterproof boots, autumnal wedges and heritage inspired brogues and loafers. All add a contemporary mix to their core offering demonstrating a wider appreciation of changing consumer taste and trends which have been the starting point for the seasons development.

BCM Imports, which has been creating footwear under the Nitelife brand since 2005, has announced that all new products are now being produced under the Erosella brand, aptly named after “Eros” the God of Love. Under the Erosella Collection Label, Erosella Footwear will replace the Nitelife-Footwear brand which will be phased out. There are two new collections which compliment the footwear, a Dancewear Collection and a Lingerie Collection.

We've starteda new page in Footwear Today this month (Jan). Called Best Sellers, we're setting up a panel of indepedent footwear retailers to find out about their star performers. We want to know your five best selling brands in each cateogory, each month, starting from December '11. In return we will feature you and your shop in our Retailer Of The Month page. We need to know your five best sellers overall, for Men Women and Children. Also, for Men's Comfort/Casuals, Men's Formal, Ladies Comfort/Casuals, Ladies: Fashion/Contemporary footwear, Ladies Formal, Ladies Boots. For Children, Pre-Walkers, Walkers and School Shoes. Contact Cheryl Taylor, editor, cheryltayloreditor@googlemail.com, Tel. 01622 862962.

Rieker the world’s leading antistress footwear brand has taken inspiration from the East for their 2012 Spring/Summer collection. Rieker has used an array of colours and jewel embellishments that is set to be a huge fashion statement.

JJ Footwear is using its Facebook page to announce that it is looking for UK models to wear its lovely range of boots. The scheme was first run in Holland and proved very successful, according to Nina Townsend, UK Business Manager, JJ footwear:  “All the ladies featured on our website are our customers and we have found that it is a fantastic way to spread the message about our range.

New ‘safe’ ballet style pumps are this year’s must-have school fashion footwear! A new craze for Mary Jane style ballet pumps is sweeping the UK as teenagers begin to heed warnings about the long-term dangers of the standard fashion ballet shoe. Teenagers are now seeking alternatives including The Premier Shoes For Girls from www.itsgotsoul.co.uk, which have echoes of the Mary Jane styles that took the US by storm with their classic and timeless look.

For Spring / Summer 2012 Hush Puppies launches its second season collaboration with fashion designer Anna Sui.  The collaboration for Spring/Summer 2012, takes on a fresh and fun new twist to footwear that can only be the influence of the designer known for her hip and exuberant style.  From delightful cherry ornaments on colourful sandals to kissing fish embellishments on canvas wedges, the product exudes summer style with a fun but chic edge. The feminine silhouettes feature bold stripes and colours with combinations of materials including snake print and patent.

"New York cool with a European twist" - Le Bunny Bleu, the New York based footwear brand that’s taking the continent by storm present their Fall/Winter collection in the UK in conjunction with the launch of their flagship store at Westfield, Stratford on 15 October 2011. The collection channels retro influences and attention to detail with hand knitted decoration and classic styles perfect for the weekend, work and play. Signature pieces include the avant-garde oxford brogues, classic ballet flats, vibrant slip-ons and innovative water resistant wool boots.

"I am absolutely delighted that The Florida Group has been nominated as one of 6 finalists in the 2011 EDP (Eastern Daily Press) Business Awards. We are nominated in the prestigious "Barclays Business of the Year" category, said the Group's Managing Director, Tony Linford

Amazonas, the highly successful outsole manufacturer is presenting its first line of colourful eco-friendly flip flops to the public. The rich and colourful Amazonian culture; its free-flowing rivers, green forests, intertwining plants and exotic birds have inspired Amazonas to develop a line of flip flops with sustainability, comfort and design in mind.

Pure London is to hold its future events under one roof at Olympia with effect from February 2012. The development of a new double-decker hall and other improvements at Olympia will enable Pure to provide the additional space and facilities that exhibitors and visitors demand under one roof.  Pure Spirit will move out of Earls Court but continue to provide on–trend, creative fashion for the young fashion market in its own hall, the National, at Olympia, in February 2012.

The new Spring/Summer collection by Piccadilly focuses on romance with creamy colours, delicate details and floral prints but still embraces seduction by using bold and vibrant colours.

The new collection is all about daring to try new concepts, new shapes and taking risks. The adventurous brand is bringing out lots of new designs including flip-flops, sandals, moccasins, new sole constructions and exciting colour options.

Colour is the new kid on the block and footwear experts Romika show us how it’s done...Although fur-lined boots will shortly be delivered to the stores, it is time to put those wintery feelings to one side and welcome the brighter thoughts of the spring 2012 season!

Finding the balance between style and comfort is never an easy task. Let your customers make the most of the great outdoors with footwear that will stand the heat while still looking gorgeous with new ranges for men and women from Josef Seibel.

Even at first glance, CAPRICE shoes leave no doubt in your mind – the combination of manufacture using the best materials and innovative ideas brings the collection together into a harmonious whole.

With the beginning of the new business year on 1^st June 2011, the Wortmann Group, Detmold, has acquired all the shares of the ara Group Lagenfeld in a+w shoes GmbH & Co. KG. This makes Wortmann now sole shareholders of a+w shoes – subject to the expected approval of the Federal    Cartel Office.  a+w sells its shoe collections under the brand name of Jana and focuses its activities on the comfort shoe sector.

Pure London now moves into its 30^th season and will open its doors from 7^th-9^th August 2011 in two venues: London Olympia and Earls Court.  Attracting visitors from across the globe, Pure London is widely acknowledged as one of the key events in the buying calendar

Florida Group Announce 2010 Results - Norwich based The Florida Group (TFG) are proud to announce that the turnaround plan which begun in 2008 continued to bear fruit in 2010. TFG, primarily manufacturers of ladies shoe brand Van Dal, had a turnover increase of 15% to £10.7m with an operating profit up 78% to £493k in 2010.

Lindsay Phillips launches Winter 2011 collection. This seasons range includes, interchangeable snap flip-flops, all new ballet flats, kitten heels, espadrilles and wedges! This array of footwear for women and children, not only allows the consumer to co-ordinate their outfit with ease, but also to pack and store less when travelling!

David Price, owner and founder of the well known footwear brands Cosyfeet and Walktall, has sold the parent company Foot Shop Ltd, for an undisclosed sum, to its current Executive Board.

Featuring a mix of vibrant colours, playful patterns and classic, very wearable timeless shoe shapes, Yull puts the style back into any step. With names such as ‘Ascot’, ‘Green Park’, ‘Silverstone’ and ‘Hoxton’, each design has been inspired by a British place or pastime and with a patriotic wink, each shoe is emblazoned with a small Union Jack flag on its base.

Jacobson Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Paul Grogan to the position of sales executive for the Babycham footwear brand. Grogan will be responsible for selling Babycham branded footwear and accessories to key, targeted accounts

Love From Australia  design crew, announce their first Spring/Summer Collection forAW12. The luxury brand, famous for its customised sheepskin boots will celebrate its 10th  season anniversary by offering stockists printed suede espadrilles, soft lambs leather clogs and jeweled sandals as well as a fabulous ‘festival’ range of sheepskin boots with strong rubber soles and reinforced toes & heels.

RUBY AND ED IS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT THE NEW AUTUMN WINTER COLLECTION

The Rocket Dog footwear collection for Spring/Summer 2012 is a fantastic mix of colours, textures, prints and beautiful finishing touches. Ranging from beach flats through sporty pumps to glamorous heels, the collection encapsulates the Californian roots of the brand and delivers fantastic footwear for the discerning footwear buyer.

Rebecca Gray a 26 year old ethical entrepreneur and founder of Nottingham based fair trade fashion and green products company Fresh Cargo, has re-invented a hundred years of Maasai Warrior sandal making in order to support the Maasai community and globalise recycled tyre flip flops.

The Josef Seibel Group, which recently made a big move into the retail sector with the acquisition of a major stake in the Bahner/Leiser group of Germany, has opened its first German multi-brand Josef Seibel & Friends stores in Dortmund, Germany and Leicester, UK. Besides its own brands, Josef Seibel and Romika, the stores also carry others such as Gabor, Paul Green, Marc and Birkenstock. The group has, up until now, been running similar stores only outsides its home market with four stores in Moscow

Thierry Rabotin firmly believes that natural materials are essential and irreplaceable.

A multitude of contemporary and respected retailers were attracted to London Olympia in February to the highly regarded Pure exhibition.  Buyers en masse were drawn to the Ravel stand that was debuting its irresistible autumn/winter 2011 collection.  As such, the brand is delighted to report that Pure was its best UK exhibition since the re-launch under Jacobson Group in 2008.

For Autumn Winter 2011 Hush Puppies lives up to its name as the leading casual shoe brand. The 1958 Collection is a true celebration of Hush Puppies heritage, taking inspiration from the brands archives to re-create some of their classic styles.It brings forward Hush Puppies original comfort, offering a classic approach to contemporary styling.

What a season stockists of the Romika brand have experienced this autumn with reports of some of the strongest performing product within quality independents, multiples and department stores! Repeat orders at the brand have increased by an incredible 302% on the previous year and could have moved far beyond this if stock had allowed.

 EMU Australia, the genuine Australian sheepskin and wool specialist, launch their colourful 2011 Fall collection for the Northern Hemisphere in one of Australia’s most exotic locations Port Douglas.In 2011 the very popular EMU Stinger style, which was a hit with celebrities and EMU lovers around the world will be available in ten new fashion colours including bright aubergine, beautiful indigo, natural dusty olive, earthy hazelnut, trendy putty and this season’s must have colour mushroom.

 IRON FIST will be at at Bread and Butter Berlin from 19th – 22nd January 2011. Visit STYLE SOCIETY’s exclusive showroom ST1.2 to view the new collection in a warm and relaxed environment, with chesterfield sofas, complimentary coffee bar and creative mannequin display.

Following  six successive seasons at the show, you will be dazzled by the 150sqm showroom that will showcase an outstanding season of amazing styles, colours and inspirations. IRON FIST have grown and developed as a truly unique brand which integrates the true sense of STYLE SOCIETY.

Jaybill Wholesale Footwear has gone all out for autumn/winter with a great collection of ladies boots that offer every discerning retailer competitive price points without compromising on style or quality. With prices starting as low as £4.99 for the ubiquitous faux sheepskin boot, a must have staple in your AW collection, Jaybill have created a range that is hard to beat!

The military style is set to be the major trend for AW10  and Jaybill have introduced a range of biker inspired ankle and knee length buckled boots that are the essential footwear to finish of that rugged military look, and with prices starting from just £7.99 they are a must have addition to your range!

Following the success in Autumn/Winter, Van Dal return once again in Spring with a stunning collection, referencing key trends for the season.

Sanita, the original clog brand from Denmark, has a fashion focused collection for Autumn/Winter 2010/2011.

The footwear brand was born in Herning, Denmark in 1907 when Christian Andersen began making wooden soled shoes for his neighbours.

Over 100 years on, the brand is renowned around the world for high quality products offering maximum comfort at fantastic prices.

After this winter's floods, and the serious stuff being debated at the Copenhagen summit on Climate Change, it seems frivolous to get excited about waterproof footwear.  But, life goes on, and there is no doubt that our feet are going to get wetter - especially for people who live in especially-damp places like west Wales, for instance (Like me, for instance.) And, however many pretty & practical pairs of wellies there are on the shelves these days, you can't spend your entire life in rubber.

When the organisers of last year’s Trade Unions Congress set the conference agenda for Liverpool they could never have envisaged the media attention generated by the debate which was designed to discuss the merits, ethics and consequences to their physical well being of women who are expected to wear high heels in the workplace.

The debate not only gained a massive number of column inches with accompanying images in both the broad sheets and tabloids but also received saturation coverage on national TV and radio.  Who said that the footwear industry was at the bottom of the pile when it comes to the media spotlight?