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It is October..just a few more exhibitions to go and we can wave goodbye, for the very last time, to the Spring/Summer 2008 buying season. The season has been hectic, with visitor and exhibitor numbers up at GDS, Midec in Paris and the giant Micam. It seems perhaps that buyers are not so much scared off completely by difficult trading times due to the damp and dismal weather we had this summer,on the contrary they are simply more cautious and brands need to go out of their way to win them over.
This kind of close service is something which many family run business have a leg up above the rest no one brand knows this better than the mighty Gardiner Bros who have been in business since 1860. Taking a look at the way they run their business today in our Footwear Focus pages, I realised just how important having a fantastic history in footwear is to many companies. As well as the newcomers like our wonderful friends Crocs who have bounced their way to the top, the heritage of companies like Gardiner Bros is important in every level of their business expertise, passion, drive and not least of all in the ability to build relationships with the individuals whose fathers father had been previous customers. Like one big happy family, these traditional businesses thrive on a personal service that keeps the independent market in tact.
Similarly, Jane Winkworth, designer and owner of wonderful ballerina brand, French Sole holds personal service close to her heart, which is perhaps why her ballet business is now a mulit million pounds one. Her next addition to the service is a ballet for the lady with the larger foot, that does not compromise on style or cut. After extensive research, she came up with the perfect product to create the perfect shoe, without cutting corners on quality, in Pirouette. Jane WInkworth again values the integrity of the independent store, something which, sadly, many brands are selling out from and embracing the pound signs of the multiples.
No stronger is the independent market than in France and this season and visiting Midec, we felt that perhaps the French market is a good one for British brands to tap into, and the organisers have improved the show to make it comfortable, fun and accomodating for all of those involved... see page 26-27 for more information.
We also take a look at the best of GDS and run an exciting interview with men's shoes guru, Oliver Sweeney.
Regards
Charlotte Martin, Editor
DL: 01622 699155
E: cmartin@datateam.co.uk
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