Footwear_Sept12_p01:Footwear_Sept12_p01 15/08/2012 16:49 Page 1 www.footweartoday.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2012 Inside this issue: Editor’s Choice, Best of Shows Ladies’ Footwear – Footwear Focus on Earth Spirit Best Sellers – Retailer of the Month, North Shoes – Moda Review – Pure Review ECL_fp_Sept12:ECL_fp_Sept12 03/09/2012 10:19 Page 1 Footwear_Sept12_p03:Footwear_Jan10_p3 13/09/2012 12:25 Page 3 CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR 4 NEWS Footwear Industry Awards 12 FOOTWEAR FOCUS 14 MODA REVIEW f you attended the Footwear Industry Awards event last 18 PURE REVIEW February, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it was an exciting COMPANY PROFILE (LOAKE) I evening! The 2013 event planned for Sunday 17th February 20 aims to build on the success of the first Footwear Industry 22 FASHION TRENDS Awards, an event run by the industry for the industry. With the four cornerstones of the Footwear sector working in 26 COMPANY PROFILE (EUROSTOP) unison, the BFA, representing the footwear brands, IFRA 30 KENSINGTON SHOW PREVIEW representing the independent retailer, SSF representing Shoe Fitting and the Trade Press providing media coverage, the event 36 EDITOR’S CHOICE (LADIES BEST OF SHOWS) is likely to be well-attended and will see all the trade associations 40 BEST SELLERS working together as one to reward their peers. RETAILER OF THE MONTH The new venue will be the National Motorcycle Museum, close 42 to Birmingham NEC, and will take place in the Imperial Suite, 44 MARY PORTAS REPORT with a drinks reception held in the adjoining Trafalgar Suite. GDS REVIEW A choice of two 4* hotels is offered to those attending the event, 46 both at preferential rates. 48 RETAIL TECHNOLOGY The nominations are opening this month and there are 25 awards to be won, so get cracking, fill in the online form and KENSINGTON SUUPLEMENT "nominate" your favourite retailer or supplier/brand . You can even nominate your own company! FRONT COVER: ARA www.footweartoday.co.uk In this edition, we report back on some of the amazing trade SEPTEMBER 2012 shows, including Pure London and Moda that we visited during For six decades ara has been renowned for the summer to give you an idea of what shoemakers are hoping a wide variety of shoe fashions of the will be flying off your shelves once the January sales are out of highest quality, combining attractive design the way. Check out our Best of Shows: Ladies Footwear section with perfect fit on pages 36-38. We also bring you news of upcoming shows including GDS For further information contact HB Shoes Dusseldorf and the Kensington Shoe Event. If you missed the [email protected] major shoe shows, the Kensington Shoe Event, to be held at the 00 44 1162 605043 Inside this issue: Editor’s Choice, Best of Shows Ladies’ Footwear – Footwear Focus on Earth Spirit Westbury Hotel, Mayfair, from 23rd – 25th September, is a treat Best Sellers – Retailer of the Month, North Shoes – Moda Review – Pure Review not to be missed. On display you will find a variety of brands offering an exciting cross section of Europe’s best factories and EDITOR Cheryl Taylor: [email protected] designers. The timing of the Event, just after the major European CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Adam Bernstein shows allows retailers to have a clear mind on what to buy in the FEATURE WRITERS: relaxed and informal environment. Becci Knowles Henry Harington Entry to the show is free of charge, and visitors can relax on Dawn Smith sumptuous sofas and enjoy the comfort of a five-star hotel, with Vicky Kember refreshments (tea, coffee and pastries) offered throughout the Joe Maggio Emma Cooke day, free of charge. I look forward to meeting up with you there! Media Partner of the JOURNAL MANAGER STAG Buying Group Sue Wiseman: 01622 699185 [email protected] DESIGNER Steve Parks ADMINISTRATION Ellie Inchmore PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Paul Ryder: [email protected] Published by: Datateam Business Media Ltd, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY. Tel: 01622 687031 Fax: 01622 757646 email: [email protected] website: www.datateam.co.uk Best regards, ISSN 1475 8601 The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any discrepancies either in copy or between Cheryl products and/or services listed. Nor can they be responsible for illustrations and/or copy for products which lead to infringement of copyright. Cheryl Taylor, IFRA, BFA and Society of Shoe Fitters all support Editor, Footwear Today Footwear Today as a valuable forum for the footwear Tel: 01622 862962 industry, helping to promote trade and keeping retailers informed about the latest products and Email: [email protected] developments. Footwear Friends are the chosen charity of The Footwear Industry Awards 2012 SEPTEMBER 2012 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • 3 Footwear_Sept12_p04-10:Footwear_Jan10_p4_8 12/09/2012 11:16 Page 4 NEWS The Footwear Industry Awards are back, with a NEW venue! rganised by Datateam Business Media, in “Coinciding the event with Moda brings an award (you will be able to nominate someone Oassociation with BFA, IFRA, Society of Shoe everyone closer together, making it an else, or your own company). Fitters and Footwear Today magazine, the unmissable, affordable and enjoyable evening." ALL nominations will then be placed online, Footwear Industry Awards will be held on the first Show Director, Paul Ryder said: "After the with members of the industry then choosing their night of the Moda Footwear Show, Sunday 17th great success of the 2012 FIA awards and with winner in each category - with voting also February 2013 at the National Motorcycle Museum. the backing of the entire industry, we are conducted online (one vote per IP address). looking forward to an even bigger and better Following the success of last year, which was a sell Again, there will be no judging panel: every event for 2013." out event, the awards will take place in this new winner will know the industry has chosen them - Acting on feedback obtained directly from venue to avoid having to turn anyone away. a true reflection of industry consensus, with no The Awards seek to recognise those in the attendees, the 2013 event will build on the corporate or sponsor intervention. industry who display innovation and forward success of the first awards - continuing to offer Visit www.footwearindustryawards.com thinking, alongside traditional sales and business the industry an ethical awards, with no catches. to nominate TODAY! acumen. The inaugural event in 2012 received The 2013 event will see Many companies will use the event as the critical acclaim, with the British Footwear • New Venue: The National Motorcycle Museum perfect excuse to reward their teams for their Association (BFA), Independent Footwear Retailers • Imperial Suite, with Drinks Reception held in hard work, entertain their key clients and Association (IFRA), Society of Shoe Fitters and adjoining Trafalgar Suite network with their industry colleagues, so why Footwear Today, working successfully together to • Four Course meal - The National Motorcycle not take the opportunity to do the same? host a ‘true’ industry award – one which was not Museum is widely known to offer 1st class food exclusive, but inclusive: uniting the industry. Tables of ten can be secured at a cost of £900 • Hotel accommodation at two 4* hotels with Commenting on the event, Laura West of the +VAT and individual places cost just £90 +VAT preferential rates which can be booked via per seat booked. There will be lots more surprises Society of Shoe Fitters said: "The SSF were our website on the night, so to register your interest in delighted to be involved in the 2012 Footwear • New and Revised Categories Awards and look forward to February 2013. attending, please email [email protected] It's a wonderful opportunity for the finest people Nominations and Voting with your requirements or call 0773 304 2104 in the industry to unite and acknowledge the Nominations are now open and again, we will hard work and dedication of the people and ask members of the footwear trade to firstly For sponsorship opportunities brands nominated. "nominate" a retailer or supplier/brand for please contact Sue Wiseman on 01622 699185 2013 Award Categories Brand Awards Retailer Awards Industry Awards • Men's Footwear Brand of the Year • Independent Men's Footwear Retailer of the Year • 'The Platinum Shoe' Award • Ladies Footwear Brand of the year • Independent Ladies Footwear Retailer of the Year (Formerly known as best Footwear Representative) • Children's Footwear Brand of the Year • Independent Children's Footwear Retailer of the Year • Student Shoe Fitter of the Year • Sports Footwear Brand of the year • Independent Sports Footwear Retailer of the Year • Leader in Customer Service • Outdoor Footwear Brand of the Year • Independent Outdoor Footwear Retailer of the Year • Best Use of Technology • Comfort/Wellness Footwear Brand of the Year • New Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year • Personality of the Year • Fashion Footwear Brand of the Year • Multiple Retailer of the Year • Footwear Designer of the Year • Private Label of the Year • E-tailer of the Year • Shoe Care & Accessories Brand of the Year • Independent Family Footwear Retailer of the Year • Footwear Brand of the Year 4 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • SEPTEMBER 2012 www.footweartoday.co.uk Tamaris_fp_Sept12:Tamaris_fp_Sept12 06/08/2012 12:15 Page 1 Footwear_Sept12_p04-10:Footwear_Jan10_p4_8 12/09/2012 11:16 Page 6 NEWS Could you benefit from World's First National Shoe Fitting Week? Certified Biodegradable The Society of Shoe Fitters is calling for new members. It is Shoe Takes First Step offering experienced shop staff that have been fitting shoes for more than five years the chance into Industry Spotlight to gain recognition of their expertise, with the Society’s new £50 Membership Application. The Society of Shoe Fitters is busy planning National Shoe Brazilian Line Sapatoterapia Fitting Week in order to help its retail and associate members.