Out on a limb - July/August

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Simon Goodman (right), Pamela Clarke and Tony Linford.

Footwear firm’s future secured with buyout

By Christina Eccles

work within the company.

THE future of Norwich’s last remaining shoe manufacturer has been secured with the completion of a management buyout from its family owners.

“I am delighted that this is now set to happen.

The Florida Group’s management team, led by managing director Tony Linford, have finalised the buy-out from chairman Simon Goodman and family.

It represents a change of ownership for the company founded by Simon’s grandfather Adelman Goodman in the early 1900s.

Simon will step down as chairman, although he will retain a stake. As well as Tony, the management team involved in the buy-out comprises head of product Claire Farmer, head of marketing Jason Larke, head of finance and HR Pamela Clarke, and head of logistics Anne-Mette Christensen, all of whom become directors of the company.

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Simon said, “As I have approached retirement, my primary concern has been to secure the future of the Florida Group and the people who

Students win work placement Page 4

Tony added: “I and my management team are really pleased that we have been able to agree this management buy-out. The Florida Group, and its brands, has such a strong presence in the shoe trade.

“The team and I have exciting plans to take the company forward. We plan to expand the business, taking advantage of the opportunities being presented by changes in the footwear industry. We will announce more detailed plans in due course.

“After so many years in the hands of the Goodman family, I feel privileged to be taking the helm of such a great business, and I am determined to build a future for the company which is as distinguished as its history to date.”

BOUTIQUE designer shoe brand Cocorose London has been crowned the winner of The Great Retail Revival’s initiative POP at HoF. The foundation paired with House of Fraser to offer 10 promising retail brands the chance to trade online and instore as a pop up concession at House of Fraser’s flagship Oxford Street store for two weeks.

The competition was entered by more than 200 brands, with the final 10 each earning a pop up concession for the duration of two weeks.

The brands were then judged on sales, customer service, PR and marketing, and their overall commitment and energy.

Founder and creative director of Cocorose London Janan Leo said: “We are absolutely delighted and so proud to be 2014’s Pop at HoF Winner and we’d like to thank everyone for their fantastic support.

“This is even more of an honour considering the huge amount of talent and successful businesses that we were surrounded by.”

Tower London scoops industry award TOWER London has scooped the trophy for independent footwear retailer of the year at the prestigious Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards, following the success of the new look business.

The family run footwear firm, which has recently worked with brand experience consultancy I-AM on a re-brand, was awarded the accolade in recognition of the innovations and improvements made across the business over the last 12 months.

Lunar celebrates a successful summer Page 6 July/August 2014

“This is a really strong leadership team which is ideally placed to take the company into the future, and I step down in the knowledge that this great business is in safe hands.”

Boutique designer wins top accolade

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Head of brand marketing at TOWER London Simon Abbott said: “On Friday April 4, TOWER London threw open the doors of its flagship store, 119 High Road, Wood Green.

“To celebrate, we hosted a series of events over the weekend including performances by three times UK beat box champion Ball-Zee and dance group Traversal.

DJs were also on hand to create a party atmosphere while customers

were treated to tasty cupcakes and bespoke Oyster cardholders with exclusive discounts.”

Director Gerry Demopolous added: “I-AM Associates have successfully refined the essence of the TOWER London brand and our retail proposition to create a simple, bold and clear identity for TOWER London that references our heritage standing proud as we move the business forward.”

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British feet are getting bigger and wider, new research finds

By Christina Eccles BRITISH feet are getting longer and wider, but many men and women are risking foot problems by squeezing their feet into shoes which are too small and narrow, according to new research by The College of Podiatry.

Top model Abbey Clancy encouraged shoppers to treat their feet this summer at a pop up event at London’s Westfield White City. As the official ‘feet’ of the brand, Abbey opened the Scholl Express Pedi Beach at the shopping centre, where visitors could be treated to a free express pedicure using the latest Scholl Velvet Smooth foot care range.

Students win placement at School of Excellence TWO footwear students will be jetting off to an Italian design school this summer after winning a prestigious award from the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.

completely sunk in. All the hard work over the year has paid off and to be given this opportunity is amazing. I’m so excited and can’t wait to go.”

Ella Luker and Natalie Pitcher will be spending two weeks in Tuscany at Modartech, a recognised School of Excellence which trains the next generation of fashion and footwear designers.

Natalie has just finished her second year of the course and also received £500 as part of her prize.

They will be gaining experience in Italian designing, pattern making and styling with the institute’s expert teaching staff, after being honoured with the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers Footwear Design Scholarship.

Ella has just completed her first year of DMU’s industry-renowned Footwear Design course.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out; I still don’t think it’s The Society of Shoe Fitters has announced that Emma Butler of Belle Enfants in Ringwood, Hants has won its prestigious Student of the Year 2013 trophy. Emma received a personal trophy to keep, as well as having her name engraved on the SSF trophy, and an inscribed Valet Box courtesy of Kevin Burton, sales director at Dasco Dunkelman. Senior tutor Maureen Unsworth said: “Emma put a tremendous amount of effort into her coursework, and when attending the practical workshops showed outstanding enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Although only 19 years old Emma showed a maturity and dedication well beyond her years and is capably managing her shop in Ringwood on behalf of owner and society member Amanda Arkell.”

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She added: “I am very proud and excited to be given this great opportunity to visit Italy and learn about Italian shoe design.”

Fellow Footwear Design student Alexandra Friling was also honoured with the same award from Cordwainers and received a £1,500 cash prize.

The awards were given out at the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities prize-giving ceremony, where more than 80 students were honoured during the evening with prizes ranging from £25 to £1,500.

The research suggests this is due to a lack of understanding of shoe sizes and width fittings available, the growth in online shopping, not having shoes professionally fitted and knowingly buying the wrong size because of fashion or if the shoes are on sale.

The research – commissioned to mark foot health awareness campaign Feet for Life month – showed the average shoe size in the UK has increased by around two sizes since the 1970s.

Today the average male wears a size 10 compared to a size eight shoe 40 years ago; and the average female wears a size six versus a size four in the seventies.

Over a quarter of men and 41 per cent of women say their feet have changed size as an adult, with both reporting they have got bigger and wider.

Yet both men (34 per cent) and women (46 per cent) admit to buying shoes that don’t fit; with people nearly twice as likely to buy shoes too small (44 per cent) than too big (24 per cent).

When asked why they have bought shoes that didn’t fit, the top reasons were: I thought I was buying the correct size but when I tried them on at

home / wore them they didn’t feel comfortable (35 per cent) I liked the shoes and they didn’t have them in my size (27 per cent) I bought them online and didn’t realise they wouldn’t fit (26 per cent) They were on sale (19 per cent) I didn’t have time to try them on in the shops (15 per cent) Podiatrist Lorraine Jones from The College of Podiatry said: “Feet are getting bigger because as a nation we are becoming taller and we’re increasing in weight. Increased weight gain places more pressure on the feet and means ligaments and joints need to work harder to maintain the foot’s structure and keep you mobile.

“Over time if someone is gaining weight the feet splay to try and accommodate the increased pressure, which can cause pain, lead to mobility issues and increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis in the lower limb joints. Whatever your shoe size, the most important thing is to wear a comfortable, wellfitting shoe.

“More retailers are introducing wider fitting shoe ranges so if you have wide feet try to opt for a shoe that will comfortably accommodate your foot without causing rubbing or blisters.”

The research also showed the average man owns nine pairs of shoes and women typically have 17 pairs. Nearly a third of men and women admit they keep and continue to wear shoes even though they know they don’t fit.

Iconic brand Hush Puppies celebrated the launch of its new spring/summer collection by offering savvy shoppers the chance to pick up a bargain. From 19:00 to 19:58 – a nod to the year the American brand was born – visitors could pick up a pair of shoes for the original price of $8.95 – or £5 – by visiting the Wolverine Company Store on London’s Neal Street. Designs on offer at the special price were the classic Desert II for men and for women, the Duffy, a summer wardrobe staple.

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Young Soles to exhibit at Dot to Dot LONDON based luxury footwear brand Young Soles will be among the exhibitors at pop up showroom Dot to Dot London.

Earlier this year saw the successful launch of the showroom event, which was created for small independent British children’s labels to fly the design flag in a relaxed and creative setting.

At the request of other designers within the childrenswear community, the SS15 event will house more brands, with a range of products on show from clothing to footwear, accessories, toys and homeware.

Founded by established footwear designer Louise Shill, Young Soles will be introducing its first range for Spring/Summer at Dot to Dot, following the successful launch of the brand and its Autumn/Winter range earlier this year.

Store chain remains top DEPARTMENT store chain John Lewis has retained its position as the nation’s best retailer for customer satisfaction at the Verdict Customer Satisfaction Awards, held at the London Stock Exchange.

Lunar celebrates successful summer UK footwear brand Lunar is celebrating a record breaking summer after reports from stockists revealed the success they are having with selling the designs.

Julia Richardson of Fab Footwear said: “We have been stocking the Lunar range of footwear for the past eight years and this summer has been our strongest yet.

Retailers have claimed that the current season’s offerings of ladies footwear has beaten many other top manufacturers to become the top selling brand in store – with some styles selling out in less than a fortnight.

“Each season the brand goes from strength to strength. It is now our number one brand in both our Market Harborough and Wellingborough stores.”

John Waldron of Mark Kimber Shoes

TO promote the quality of animalfree footwear, PETA has teamed up with vegan shoe company Wills to persuade shoppers to swap their leather boots for a pair of discounted pleather ones.

The company is offering 20 per cent off any new pair of Wills animal-free

shoes in return for each pair of leather shoes that is sent to the animal charity.

PETA UK associate director Mimi Bekhechi said: "Wills and PETA know that the only place leather belongs is on its original owner.

"Not only does modern cruelty-free

Beyond Skin’s Spanish made shoes are all cruelty free and made from a range of sustainable leather substitutes.

The brand’s celebrity fans include actresses Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway.

July/August 2014

“With all the luxurious faux-leather shoes available, there's no excuse to kill animals for their skin."

PENTLAND Brands has been named as one of the UK’s top 10 best workplaces in the Best large Company category, by the Great Place to Work Institute.

The company, whose brands include Kickers, Ted Baker Footwear and Hunter, is ranked higher than any other retailer, brand owner or marketing company and is the only sports, outdoor or fashion brandowner to make the 2014 list.

International shoe designer Kobi Levi has given a rare talk about his work, passions and inspirations at an exclusive event at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. About 70 people attended the event to hear from the designer, whose creations have been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga. The talk was timed to coincide with the launch of Kobi’s first major exhibition in the UK – Kobi and the Playful World of Shoes, which has recently opened at the town’s central museum.

Hotter appoints new chairman LEADING British footwear brand Hotter has appointed a new chairman, Alan White.

Alan, who is a non-executive director at both Direct Wines and Topps Tiles and was CEO of N Brown, takes up his position with immediate effect.

CEO of Hotter Peter Taylor said:

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microfibre look and breathe like leather, it is also superior because it lasts longer, repels water and doesn't cost cows, sheep or any other animals an arm and a leg.

Pentland in top 10

Beyond Skin wins award The competition was judged by a large panel of sustainability experts, with others shortlisted in the category including Jocelyn Whipple, Antithesis, Katie Jones and Ecoture Project.

“Lunar has sold very well this season. The sensible price has meant that we have sold the product well and early, in anticipation of a sometime warm summer.”

PETA teams with Wills for campaign

In its latest customer satisfaction poll, Verdict Research surveyed over 5,800 customers, with John Lewis obtaining scores for service far exceeding that of any other retailer in the survey.

Product quality also scored highly. Brantano came fourth in the poll, with the rest of the top five made up of Dunelm, IKEA and Matalan.

ETHICAL footwear brand Beyond Skin has become this year’s winner of The Observer Ethical Awards sustainable fashion category.

and Heffords added: “In a season of bland neutral colours the array of glitter and colour from our Lunar collection has enlivened our window displays and been a very positive talking point.

“Alan brings a wealth of home shopping experience as well as direct knowledge of retail and international expansion.

“His knowledge and advice will be invaluable in helping us continue to grow the business over the coming years.”

CEO Andy Rubin said: “As a familyowned company, values are at the heart of everything we do.

“We are always seeking to find the most talented and motivated people, who share our values, to join our business, so being recognised as a Best Workplace helps show potential employees how much we have to offer them throughout their career development with us.

“There are real business benefits to creating a great working culture and at Pentland we have a culture where individuals trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do and enjoy the people they work with.” news

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The next generation of world-class shoe designers has been celebrated at a glittering awards dinner, hosted by the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers.

Out on A Limb found out more – and rounded up highlights from the evening in pictures.

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Cordwainers’ footwear students of the year winners announced THE inaugural Cordwainers’ Footwear Student of the Year Awards saw students from the three leading universities offering footwear design degree courses vying to be awarded the cash prizes and high-profile exposure across the industry which would come with picking up an award.

The new award has been introduced by the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, the London livery company with roots in shoemaking and fine leather work, which today supports footwear education and charitable activities.

Following agreement with London College of Fashion (part of the University of the Arts, London), De Montfort University and the University of Northampton, each student entering the competition was invited to produce a design for a new shoe.

The three universities shortlisted their five top entrants, whose entries were then judged by an independent panel of industry experts comprising Katie Greenyer, Guy West and Atalanta Weller.

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The first prize was awarded to Helen Kirkum of The University of Northampton. In second place was Bethany Conway of De Montfort University, followed by Florence Turner of the London College of Fashion.

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Commendations were awarded to Zuzana Vitamvasova and Mawuenam Agbenu also of De Montfort University.

Helen said: “I’m just thrilled and so

Inaugural winner Helen Kirkum from The University of Northampton.

grateful to the Cordwainers and my course tutors – my ambition is to launch my own men’s footwear brand. This unique footwear competition really pushed me to create a product that was both innovative and commercially viable.”

The prizes were awarded by the celebrated couture shoe designer Jimmy Choo and representatives from Marks and Spencer, Pentland Brands, Schuh and Spring Line were among the industry guests congratulating the winners.

Senior lecturer at the University of Northampton and Liveryman of the Cordwainers Company Caroline Southernwood added: “The Cordwainers Footwear Student of the Year Award is a new and specialist footwear award, which will

showcase the talents of the next generation of footwear designers. An amazing opportunity, thank you to the Cordwainers Company.”

Clerk of the Cordwainers’ Company John Miller added: “We are delighted to launch this new national award for the very best footwear design students from these three great universities.

“We believe this will help Britain to maintain its position as the world leader in the design and manufacture of footwear.”

Entries comprised a design rationale with mood boards, a customer profile, and a materials board explaining material types and processes involved in the construction.

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Inspirational brands head to Pure PURE London will open its doors this August for its 36th season, welcoming a host of inspirational brands, speakers and catwalk shows to London Olympia from August 3-5 2014.

Organised by i2i Events Group, the premium event for progressive fashion buyers will house collections from over 700 UK and international brands, including an eclectic selection of new, niche and established names in footwear.

Building on the changes revealed at the February show in its ready-to-

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wear sections, the August edition of Pure London will unveil a redefined footwear section in the National Hall; where a carefully-edited selection of brands will enjoy a brighter space, improving visitor experience and driving more buyers to the area.

Changes also include the launch of Emerging Brands; an area that links Footwear and Accessories while showcasing the finest in iconic capsule collections and exciting, directional product from a mixture of 17 footwear and accessories brands.

The Press Office, VIP Lounge and popular Fashion Café will also be housed within Footwear, which will coincide with this season’s chosen theme of architecture, celebrating its synergy with fashion design.

The proposed changes have been well-received by the industry with a stellar line-up of footwear brands already confirmed, including: Moda in Pelle, Ipanema, Mania by Behr, GEOX, Jeffrey Campbell, Rebeca Sanver, and Gardenia Copenhagen.

Further, the British Footwear Association will be bringing Havva,

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Cleo B, Fred’s Shoes, Air and Grace London and Yull to the show; while headline category sponsors Highline United Europe will show collections from its suite of brands including French Connection Footwear, Elie Tahari, Luxury Rebel, Nylo and Julian Hakes.

Designed to enhance the buying experience further, Pure London will also boast daily catwalk shows and a full seminar programme, where a line-up of leading industry experts will present visitors with invaluable insight to the current marketplace.

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Out on a Limb cover story

Editor’s comment

Your best bet in uncertain weather is GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ footwear AFTER a long winter clad in boots and thick socks, your feet will be looking forward to spring.

Christina Eccles Editor

Looking to next year IT’S hard to believe we are now over halfway through another year – and in the fast moving retail world, we’re already looking towards the trends for 2015, which is really exciting.

After seeing some of the designs in our product showcase feature, here at Out on A Limb, we can’t wait to see more of what will be popular over the coming seasons, so are looking forward to hearing news from Pure, Moda and GDS, which are all now just weeks away.

From speaking to some key brands on page 16, it seems the industry is really excited about the new look GDS and what it means for exhibitors and visitors. So if you’re going, have a great time and we’d love to hear post show what you thought. Also this issue, look out for the latest industry happenings in our news pages, a round up from the worlds of business and technology and some stunning images in our dedicated bridal feature, whether you’re catering for a traditional, vintage or fashion loving bride.

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With the right care and moderate training you can get them fit for some spring exercise, in footwear with GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology you can keep them dry and comfortable.

Sun, rain, wind and snow; in the spring you can easily get the impression that all four seasons have been compressed into one day.

This makes it extremely difficult to decide which shoes to wear.

To avoid getting wet socks the minute you step in a puddle, your shoes should be waterproof. But then again, it could be quite warm, so they must be able to transport excess warmth and moisture out of the shoe. Footwear with GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology is the perfect solution for unpredictable weather.

The GORE-TEX® membrane, the upper material and the open sole structure combine to ensure that rain and water cannot penetrate while excess heat and sweat can escape. Shoes with the GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ product technology had been successfully launched globally a few years ago.

For the upcoming season spring/summer 2015, 15 Gore brand partners offer GORE-TEX® shoes with SURROUND™ product technology. Amongst them the initial European launch partners – like

Clarks, Ara, Legero, IGI and CO. Primigi, Högl, Superfit and Fretzmen – Viking, Salewa and new for 2015, ECCO with its special execution and Lowa with an urban inspired collection for men, ladies and kids.

Gore is fully committed to supporting its retail partners and has developed new and creative sales support material demonstrating the benefits of GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology.

Gore will provide expert staff training at retailer level to ensure all personnel are fully equipped to advise customers on the technology and wearer benefits of the footwear.

Marketing communications plans for spring summer 2015 include PR, POS and advertising programmes to accelerate customer footfall and sell through.

Gore will provide strong and effective POS material for the shop window as well as shelving to increase product visibility and drive sales.

For further information regarding GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ technology, retail support and training contact Angela Robb on 01506 460123 or visit www.gore-tex.co.uk or www.gore-tex.com/surround

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Brand spotlight

Vionic to launch in UK for SS15 VIONIC Europe Ltd is a new brand launching into the UK for SS15 from Vionic Group LLC – one of the leading global makers of consumer and medical footwear.

reduce over-pronation, which can improve foot function and relieve common associated pains such as heel pain, knee pain and back pain.

Headed up by Tony Linford as MD, there will be a strong support package for independent retailers, with Russell Galliven and Hellen Cooper representing the brand.

It is the only footwear recommended by both the American Podiatric Medical Association and renowned integrative medicine doctor, Andrew Weil, MD.

The SS15 range is focused on sandals and athletic walking shoes.

The new collection will launch in the USA, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan.

Our Vasyli Medical products and innovation are at the core of the technology we bring to our consumer brand which offers sandals, shoes and slippers in streamlined silhouettes which feature concealed podiatristdesigned technology.

This innovative technology helps

Collection is brand’s most innovative yet ANATOMIC and Co specialises in premium footwear, designed in Britain and handcrafted in the heart of Brazil.

This SS15 collection is proving to be the company’s most technically innovative and fashion-forward collection yet, while remaining true to their classic heritage.

The range sees Anatomic and Co introducing revolutionary new soles in the form of the ground- breaking Carpediem and Bulldog soles, among others, as well as new design directions, materials and styles.

The company has pushed the boundaries this season, focusing on contrasting fabrics and new design techniques in the form of laser prints and unique brogue detailing.

An example of this is the diamond

cut perforation introduced to their classic smart brogue.

Anatomic and Co’s new sole range is a combination of their trademark gel technology and soft sheepskin lining, which is a technological advancement compared to any other product on the market.

One development in the revolutionary sole range is the Bulldog, aimed at the more adventurous type, boasting a nonslip sole which is deep-lugged and made from tough rubber that provides friction on slippery surfaces.

This combined with the Anatomic Gel Technology, cushions the foot as well as providing added grip when required.

For more information call +44 203 115 0002 or email orders@ghetz.com

While a new brand in style and design, Vionic retains its most prominent feature, trusted technology, as well as a commitment to maintain the vision of creating life-changing footwear.

IKON to exhibit at Moda IKON Footwear Ltd is a highly recognised brand in the UK.

products which not only look great but feel great too.

We understand that a varied and individual footwear collection is just as important to men as it is to any woman.

Our philosophy of drawing inspiration from the classic designs of yesteryear with a modern twist is carried throughout our ranges season after season.

We thrive on evolving our styles and designs to suit the ever changing needs of today’s fashion conscious man and we pride ourselves on providing high quality, well designed features

it’s showtime

For more information call 02476 324670, fax 02476 327671, visit www.ikonfootwear.co.uk or see us at Moda Stand X5.

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Organisers of GDS are now just weeks away from welcoming visitors through the doors of the new look show, with exhibitors also excited about what the changes will mean for the future of the event. In a special feature, Out On A Limb speaks to three key brands who will be showcasing their products at GDS; finding out what they are looking forward to seeing there – and why exhibiting at the show is so important for their businesses.

Brand directors reveal plans for new GDS ...

European managing director for Rocket Dog, Derek Bowen:

“The show being brought forward allows us to be much more proactive with our account base. It makes a big difference and we’re excited by that.

“We’ll be showcasing our S/S 2015 collection, which is really expanding with a broader offering of young fashion women’s footwear.

Managing director of 33 Joints, Antony Nathan:

Sales director at Padders, Graeme Jenkins:

“Previously, we’ve always felt it was too late but now because the show’s earlier, it gives us the opportunity to showcase more. It makes a massive difference and we think there will be a real buzz around GDS.

“The new dates are very good for us, as they should be at the height of the buying season.

“We’ll be exhibiting our S/S 2015 collection and what we think is right for the German market.

“From the beach to the street to casual to occasion, it’s the biggest range we’ve brought to market.

“For Blowfish, in women’s footwear we have noticed it’s all about exciting vibrant prints and for men, it’s sports inspired footwear.

“The move allows our customers to buy earlier – more so our international customers – which gives us an opportunity to work with them in Europe. We know we’ll see a lot of international visitors.”

“We’ve also taken on Original Penguin as a new license, so it will be the first show with them, which is exciting.

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“We do a lot of business in Germany and would like to make GDS our main show. They are the perfect dates at the end of July.” it’s showtime

“We are very excited about the launch of the Padders S/S 2015 collection and I’m hoping that if people are looking at GDS, then they will be buying at Moda.

“It’s very exciting for the whole team. There’s a lot more femininity in ladies footwear and for men we will be continuing with our core ethics of wide fitting and comfort.

“GDS for us is very important and we hope to engage with as many people as possible.

“Our industry is quite small and close knit – and we all need each other. I’m hoping the retailers support this.”

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Kids’ product zone to feature at Moda MODA Footwear will launch new and improved kids’ product zone – Mini Moda – when the show returns to the NEC Birmingham from August 10-12.

Top marks for Superfit

Mini Moda is set to showcase the top children’s footwear labels from across the globe in one stand-out area within the show, as well as providing another key destination on the trade show calendar for kids’ stockists.

Among the brands already signed up for the area are a host of market leaders including Butler Boots, Pediped, Petasil, and Ricosta who praised the new area as a good move for the kids’ footwear presence at the show.

Newcomer to Moda this season, Hug and Hatch will debut its new collection which introduces fresh colours and exciting prints in high quality leather and suede across the brand’s signature sandal and pre-walker styles.

Lisa McNair from the brand said: “Moda is the perfect venue for a young British brand like ourselves to connect with buyers.

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KIDS can only have fun in sturdy shoes that keep up with all of their adventures.

“It’s our first time exhibiting and we already have some appointments scheduled with buyers.

“We are looking forward to growing our key accounts and meeting our fellow exhibitors.”

Event director Sean O’Connor added: “I am excited to see this new area grow. We have already had a great response from exhibitors and are looking forward to bringing brands and buyers together to help this sector flourish.”

That’s why, as one of the most successful manufacturers of children’s shoes, Superfit pays so much attention to perfect workmanship and the highest quality materials.

We take quality very seriously – because after all, we take big responsibility for your feet.

98 per cent of paediatricians and orthopaedists give Superfit top marks.

This was established by a survey carried out by Legero Footwear Company in the third quarter of 2011 with paediatricians and orthopaedic specialists in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The survey covered topics such as

kool for kids including kids at Moda

snug fit, anatomically correct lacing system, space for toes, flexible rolloff soles, breathability and overall impression.

The result is based on the analysis of 342 returned evaluation forms with the stipulated rating scale: good, average and bad.

Children want to explore the world around them whatever the weather.

Superfit GORE-TEX SURROUND children‘s shoes pave the way for a carefree childhood. Visibly breathable and permanently waterproof – that adds up to cooling 360° climate comfort.

The tangible added value of the Superfit innovation is provided by GORE-TEX SURROUND Product Technology.

The new GORE-TEX SURROUND styles are the ultimate summer shoes for children.

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Froddo invites you to view its collections FRODDO UK would like to invite you to view the Froddo Spring Summer 2015 collections in one of the following events in the UK and Ireland: Moda Footwear, Birmingham NEC, August 10-12, stand U22.

Fashion City, Dublin, September 1-5.

Gatwick Show, Gatwick Holiday Inn, September 14-16.

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The AW15 designs are full of fun, colourful, healthy and very comfortable.

We've introduced a new classic range which has been well liked by our retailers and their customers. In the summer collections, apart from the standard pink, blue and red, Froddo has been producing some amazing shades of yellow, orange and green.

Froddo uses the highest standards

in the manufacture of children's shoes.

No harmful, toxic materials or chrome VI compounds are used in production. Only natural leather is used to ensure the best healthy growth and development of children's feet.

Every Froddo children's shoe is anatomically shaped for maximum comfort. Some styles have a leather anti-shock insole and a size

kool for kids including kids at Moda

indicator in the small sizes.

FRODDO is an Italian design and Croatian made leading children’s European brand with 60 years shoemaking experience.

Froddo UK has been supporting retailers in the UK and Ireland since 2007.

We have a good track record in customer service and on time delivery.

it’s showtime

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LEGeRO – the key to immediate relaxation TAKING a walk on the lighter side of life is not just a matter of philosophy but also of one’s choice in footwear.

With its new collection, LEGeRO has once again remained true to itself and offers the optimal companion for those who subscribe to this way of life. Light and airy shoes that are completely down to earth – and combine top quality, comfort and function.LEGeRO’s spring-summer motto for 2015 is casual – urban – beyond trends – timeless.

Easy mobility and function are the main principles of our time.

LEGeRO’s new “SALO Comfort + Sport” successfully combines outdoor gear and streetwear. This crossover shoe with a modern hybrid look is particularly modern and light.

SALO has an ergonomically shaped, directly injected PU sole with integrated TPU elements in new transparent shades, refreshingly airy mesh lining and removable padded leather insoles.

Casual new looks are characterised by a reduction to the essentials.

LEGeRO’s new super-light and extremely soft moccasin models are absolute must-haves for sensitive feet. By combining premium leather uppers, comfortable leather lining and soft, cushioned removable insoles along with directly injected PU soles, these shoes are the

epitome of comfort and luxury.

Available in two widths and two heights.

Legero Sneakers have become so popular that, there is a need to introduce more – besides comfort, the clear focus of this multifunctional all-rounder is clearly design: cool metallic shades and harmonious colours spanning the rainbow – are an expression of pure exuberance. Exactly what a sneaker should be. LEGeRO has also given the new GORE-TEX® SURROUND™ women’s collection a dash of freshness in line with the looks of the 2015 summer season.

Now with GORE-TEX® SURROUND™, the virtually weightless “Casual Shoe Range with 360° Comfort” has been expanded once again to provide the most refreshing experience since “My feet’s favourite shoes” were created.

Italian footwear brand Superga has relocated to a new store in the W1 area of London, situated on 20 Fouberts Place. The new store is double the size of the original Newburgh Street location and embodies the brand’s laid- back attitude by offering a chill out area in store with Chesterfield sofas. The store is also further decorated with the use of campaign images featuring Suki Waterhouse and a hand painted drawing of the iconic logo, featuring a vintage Fiat 500 with an oversized Superga 2750 strapped on top.

Moda introduces E-Zone Live area ORGANISERS of Moda are embracing e-commerce with the introduction of a new seminar and feature area dedicated to online retail.

The E-Zone Live is set to create a new inspiration hub for e-commerce, combining the best products and services with practical business advice for the benefit of all visitors.

As part of the concept, a selection of industry experts will contribute to a full programme of free seminars and workshops, which will take place in the stand-out area throughout the three day show.

These include: Canberra – the patent leather, teardrop cut-out detailing and stitch down sole make for a classic and the Velcro strap gives added security and better fit.

Available in cerise pink, tan, powder pink and super cute metallic silver.

Leonor – every little fashionista needs a pair of sandals and it’s showtime

Petasil has come up trumps. The stitched down sole for durability along with two Velcro straps for a better fit it is adorned with a charming metallic flower embellishment. Available in powder pink, white, metallic silver and patent leather cerise.

Cloud – a versatile summer shoe featuring colour blocking with stitched down sole, Velcro strap and cut out detail. Available in patent leather powder pink with white leather contrast, green patent leather with funky silver metallic contrast and orange leather with metallic silver contrast.

And as well as offering advice for retailers looking to improve their existing online businesses or those making their first steps into online, the E-Zone Live will also bring together the market leaders for ecommerce technologies, with industry leading services already signed up to exhibit on stands around the seminar theatre.

Sal Cesario from Micro-Pak presenting the International Match Trophy to John McHugh the captain of the winning Scotland and Ireland team.

Tiny trends fit for kids from Petasil PETASIL predicts that for S/S 2015 patent leathers and metallics will be big news and they have some wonderful designs in their collection.

Topics including effective web design for fashion retail, online payment solutions, product photography, logistics and fulfilment, returns and omni-channel EPOS systems will be among the core discussion points in this area.

Golf event raises £16,000 THE 69th International Golf Championship of The Shoe, Leather and Allied Trades has taken place at the prestigious Belfry, over the world famous Brabazon Course and the PGA National Course.

It was a more international event than ever, with players from Sweden, Germany, Holland, the USA, Ireland and the home nations – in total 105 players – competing for The Championship Bowl and numerous other regional and national trophies.

The trade banquet on the Thursday

night at The Belfry was attended by 120 people and on the night, the auction and raffle produced almost £7,000 for the trade charities.

David Lockyer, chairman of Footwear Friends, and William Tusting, president of the LHTBI received cheques from president Gordon A Wilson. The total donations to the charities will again be £16,000 this year.

In 2015, the championship moves to Ireland, to be played at the Druids Glen Resort near Dublin on June 17 –19 2015.

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accessories

24

Duo launch accessories

Date is set for annual accolades

EAST London designers Danielle Foster and Jessie Harris have teamed up to create a range of jewellery and accessories for AW14.

THE Fashion Accessory of the Year Awards will take place at The Autumn Fair on September 7, organisers have revealed.

Jessie’s modernistic approach is combined with Danielle's boxy clean silhouettes to make for an innovative collaboration, which includes a leather bag by Danielle, customised with a chunky brass buckle hand crafted by Jessie.

The awards are now in their fourth year and for the first time are open to any company – UK or overseas – that is actively marketing the product entered in the UK.

Jewellery in the range includes D shaped earrings, rings and bangles to reflect the buckle on Danielle's bag.

Queen’s award for brand PRESTIGIOUS umbrella brand Fulton has been honoured in this year’s Queen's Awards for Enterprise for International Trade.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements by UK companies in three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development. Winners are invited to a reception with HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Nigel Fulton, who now heads up the company founded by his father Arnold, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded such a prestigious accolade.

“The award is recognition of the incredible work of everyone at Fulton and our continued commitment to developing quality innovative products that are built to last.”

There are five categories available to enter; luggage and travel, fashion handbags, small leather goods, fashion jewellery and fashion accessories.

Awards will be judged for the products’ original, innovative and eye-catching designs, quality of manufacture and commercial viability. The winner in each category will be awarded £500 towards exhibiting at Autumn Fair 2015, together with an engraved glass award. Highly commended entrants will each receive £100 towards exhibiting at Autumn Fair in 2015.

The closing date for products to be submitted is Friday August 15.

Meg designs range of leather-free handbags JEWELLERY designer and PETA fundraiser Meg Mathews has teamed up with sustainable accessories label Wilby to design a new line of leather-free handbags.

Available in black, pillar box red, mustard and electric blue, the Primrose Hill Set collection includes an oversize tote, a city bag, clutch bag and a backpack all made from eco-friendly cork and metal.

A percentage of the sale from each bag will be donated to PETA. Meg said: “I love fashion almost as much as I love helping animals, and my new Wilby line has allowed me to combine two of my greatest passions. I am proud to create ecofriendly handbags that will allow shoppers to find a chic new look without harming a single cow, sheep or any other animal.”

Luxury jewellers Van Cleef and Arpels has launched a new collection, inspired by well known French fairytale, Peau d' ne. In homage to the story of a young princess, the brand has revisited several of its favourite themes: the feminine figures of the 1940s, the delicacy of couture adornments and the language of romance.

Salustià wins Isla Rule competition Fun socks HIGH end accessories company Isla Rule has announced the winner of its design competition.

Spanish designer Salustià Àlvarez Duran wins £500 and the possibility for his design to be featured as part of Isla Rule's collection next season.

Salustià said: “I have always believed that giving support to new designers was the best way to make them feel more comfortable and to encourage them to believe in their own designs even more.

“I want to thank Isla Rule for investing in creativity and new ideas and I hope that the company will continue to encourage young designers, like me, as they begin their creative careers.”

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A NEW British company is aiming to put the fun into shopping for socks, by positioning their products as fashionable, character-driven accessories.

Each TwoSocks’ style also carries its own back story and original name such as Double Whammy, Team Captain, City Slicker, Big Shot or The Grint. Or for those desiring to match their socks to their individual personality, sock traits on offer include indecisive, extrovert or corporate.

Shoppers can also select their socks, designed by graduate students of the London College of Fashion, based on pattern, thickness or colour.

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new product showcase

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Zamberlan hopes to remain at forefront ZAMBERLAN has launched new designs for S/S15, aiming to keep the brand at the forefront of product development and innovation.

Highlights include the Cornetto GTX RR in the backpacking category, a women’s version of the highly popular Baffin boot, as well as a new introduction into the speed hiking category; the Air Round GTX RR including GORE-TEX SURROUND product technology.

Spokesman Chris Davison said: “We are very excited with the breadth of

offerings we have for Spring Summer 15 – the new Air Round models are set to be a huge hit and a welcome addition to the very popular speed hiking category.

“The new additions to the hugely popular backpacking range to include the extremely well received Cornetto GTX will also prove to be very popular, as well several exciting new product launches – Zamberlan is going from strength to strength and we are very proud to be part of that growth.”

Modern Geisha is the theme of designer Simon Hartman’s new handcrafted footwear and accessories collection.

The collection includes shoes, satchels and belts and are designed to be a combination of wearable art, comfort and quality, with a signature geisha inspired design.

new product showcase

Bridal shoes offer unique wearability Page 27

World Cup inspires range of trainers Page 29 26

July/August 2014

Lightness, flexibility and handcrafted details key features in new range LIGHTNESS, flexibility and handcrafted details are the key features that appear in the Josef Seibel women’s and men’s collection for spring/summer 2015.

Remaining true to the motto ‘Style with Comfort’, the new designs satisfy the highest requirements of fashion and function.

According to managing director of Josef Seibel UK and Ireland Martin Ingram, a key element to creating the ultimate fashion statement this

spring will be simplicity.

Clean lines, neutral shades, laser cuts, perforations and featured leathers coupled with injections of colour and soft flexible soles and uppers are a must.

As well as colourful shades of red, the brand focuses on subtle natural and earthy shades including elements of yellow and green alongside blue variations.

If height is a must, then choose

between a cork or basket weave wedge or for those seeking style, comfort and practicality when enjoying the weather, the brand still has a significant offering within their collection of ultra flexible flats.

In the men’s collection, a summery fresh appearance is the focus, with perforations and canvas detailing together with nubucks and light colours creating the unique appearance of light, flexible footwear.

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Rainbow Club launches new blush range WITH blush coloured wedding dresses fast becoming the choice for brides looking for a stylish alternative to ivory and white, Rainbow Club has capitalised on the trend with a new footwear range.

The Hassall collection is a group of beautiful blush nubuck leather styles with delicate metallic rose gold detailing.

Showcasing statement rose details, the collection has a floral theme throughout and is finished off with details laser cut into the platforms.

A splash of blush is a feminine and chic way to add a hint of colour and Hassall's blush collection feels ultra-modern but doesn't sacrifice traditional bridal style.

Rachel’s bridal shoes favoured for unique style and wearability FAVOURED for their unique style and wearability, Rachel Simpson shoes combine elegant ideas inspired from the 1920s through to the 1950s, with delicate attention to detail, resulting in a truly beautiful signature style.

With carefully selected lasts and heel heights, and full leather linings and soles, the shoes are as comfortable as they are stylish.

Every shoe is thoughtfully designed and exclusively made in carefully selected factories using only the highest quality materials.

All our shoes are beautifully handmade, the women's collection in Spain and the men's in India, with Rachel working closely with each factory to achieve the perfect result.

The award winning collection is available both online and via stockists nationwide and internationally.

Boutique footwear designer Freya Rose has launched a new, low heeled design, perfect for a beach wedding. Emma is an elegant and feminine peep toe shoe, made with the finest French Chantilly lace and Duchess silk. With a heel height of only 25mm, Emma is the ideal shoe for a beach or grass wedding or simply to dance the night away in. The footwear can also be customised using shoe clips or by adding the intricate embellishments and embroidery techniques which the brand is famous for.

new product showcase

After training in Leicester, Rachel spent several years working as a freelance designer, creating footwear for a number of well known high street brands. bridal

In 2008 she returned to her hometown of Birmingham to launch her own name collection which has since gone on to become a wellloved brand for its unique vintage inspired style.

It all started with a couple of old sewing machines, when Rachel made her sister's wedding shoes and spotted a gap in the market for brides wanting something truly wearable and that little bit different.

Things have come on since then but the core values remain the same – shoes which are beautiful, affordable and wearable.

For more information visit: www.rachelsimpsonshoes.co.uk; www.facebook.com/rachelsimpsonshoes; www.twitter.com/rachelshoes or call 0121 433 5492.

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Josef Seibel is endorsed for comfort JOSEF Seibel has become the first footwear brand to have been awarded the Good Housekeeping Reader Recommends Endorsement, in recognition of the comfort offered by the brand’s shoes, sandals, boots and clogs.

The accolade was awarded to Josef Seibel following a rigorous testing process devised by Good Housekeeping Institute experts, with the footwear put through its paces by a panel of 120 of the magazine’s readers.

Managing director of Josef Seibel (UK and Ireland) Martin Ingram said: “It is hugely rewarding to receive such a positive vote of confidence by the prestigious Good Housekeeping Reader Recommend scheme for the comfort levels offered by our products.

Spanish footwear brand Flossy has added to its ever-growing range, offering a sneak peak into the new AW14 collection with autumnal stripes, monochrome patterns and print screened florals. Alongside the new collection, the company is also launching a new website showcasing a fresh new look, as well as a mobile site where customers can order on the go whenever and wherever they like.

“It is further proof that Josef Seibel is the home of stylish and comfortable footwear.”

Uni students visit festival FOUR students from De Montfort University's Footwear Design course showcased their talent in front of an international audience at the British Government's GREAT Festival of Creativity in Istanbul.

Accompanied by course leader, Kevin Guildford, the students designed and created shoes in front of more than 800 visitors to the festival in Turkey.

The university stood alongside British brands recognised as world leaders in their fields at the festival, including HSBC, BBC Worldwide, Jaguar Land Rover and Pricewater houseCoopers.

Brand opens first outlet LEADING luxury brand Oscar de la Renta has opened its first outlet boutique in the UK at Bicester Village.

The store will carry the brand's signature ready-to-wear and bridal collections, as well as shoes, jewellery, handbags, childrenswear, home and beauty.

The outlet boutique at Bicester Village is the second store for the brand in the UK, following the opening of its London flagship in January 2013.

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Range dominated by a desire for naturalness, balance and harmony THE new fashion in the Spring/Summer 2015 season is dominated by a desire for naturalness, balance and harmony.

The colours are more subtle. In addition to natural tones and soft pastels, red, blue, black and white will set the contrasts, partly augmented by metallics.

Finest deerskin variations, which are also available in high-grade metallic finishes for the new season, help highlight the high level of sophistication in our footwear.

Moccasins and ballerina shoes without lining make sure to score by their softness; to your feet they will feel like a second skin.

Casual ballerina shoes, comfortable moccasins, as well as light summer boots and ultra-low sandals are the fashion highlights of this season.

Intricate perforations, high-quality decorative appliqués and fine lasercut elements adorn the collection of the coming season.

Under this signature, the Caprice S/S 2015 collection makes its start, penetrated by lightness, flexibility, and sportiness.

Elegant and comfortable throughout the summer

Highest quality in materials and processing:

The lamb and calf leathers used as well as the high-grade goatskin are of exceptionally high quality.

The last shapes adhere to the distinctively clean and purist trend of the season. Round, feminine shapes are in part accentuated by striking, straight toecaps. Our wellness innovations, the onAIR insole and the onAIR Antishokk heel are an

integral part of the new collection.

Lightweight and flexible soles as well as ergonomically designed foot beds provide ideal wearing comfort. The diversity of medium-height heels ranges from elegantly slim to rugged square-stacked and wedge heels.

Sacchettos by Caprice

In addition to the proven Strobel design applied in many of the Caprice models, we have introduced the Sacchetto type for our new collection. This is a brilliant combination of moccasin and Ago styles. With this highly sophisticated type of shoe construction the inner lining is sewn directly to the upper material in the style of a little bag (or sacchetto in Italian).

Soft as a glove, these models offer a sensational, flexible, comfortable and lightweight comfort. new product showcase

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Mustang sees sales Colourful trainers take inspiration double on 2013 MUSTANG Shoes are going from from strength to strength, with sales for Autumn/Winter 14 more than doubling over 2013 According to sales manager David Rudd this is a great achievement.

He added: “We are absolutely delighted with the progress of the brand here in the UK, we have now over 250 stockists and it’s due to their commitment with the brand that we are achieving this success, but the product has to be right.

new product showcase

“The Spring/Summer 15 collection looks amazing and Moda has been a great platform for us and I’m really looking forward to a busy show in August.”

Mustang has its own design team based in Germany and these people take care of everything from design to production.

They also work for several of Europe’s biggest retail groups, giving them first hand knowledge of current market trends.

from World Cup TAKING inspiration from the World Cup, Northampton based brand Neon footwear has released a selection of colourful trainers.

The range includes a wide variety of shades to match the kit of some of the teams taking part, designed in a single block colour.

Head designer at NEON Footwear

Sarah Jayne Newey said: “Football and fashion don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And what better way to get into the spirit of things than by sporting a pair of trainers in your team’s colour?

“Our trainers are hand-crafted and the fabrics carefully selected to ensure bold colours and high quality throughout.”

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Van Dal – more than 100 years of Made in England ...

VAN Dal, part of The Florida Group, is a family company whose origins can be traced back to the early 1900s.

Best of Britannia set for expansion AFTER two successful years, Best of Britannia is returning for a third to the Farmiloe Building in Clerkenwell, transforming it into Britain’s largest pop-up department store.

From October 2-4 over 200 brands will exhibit current and future collections of fashion, art, furniture, grooming and cosmetics, lighting, food and drink and more to a flurry of buyers, media and consumers.

Leading British design entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway has also come on board with the event as a nonexecutive director, bringing his knowledge and expertise to the business.

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He said: “I decided to get on board with Best of Britannia because they are definitely on to something.

“The time is right for it, but we need a lot more British manufacturers and British brands to support it.

“I want to add my voice, making that happen and to be a part of an independent organisation that is committed to persuading the market to continue its move back home.

“Britain leads the world when it comes to design, if we can make more local manufacturing ingenuity available to designers then we can go from strength to strength.”

Founded by Adelman Goodman the group originally made shoes in London, but in 1936 he and his two sons decided to move their business to Norwich.

On their arrival in 1936 the city was already an important centre for shoe manufacturing, and at its peak in the 1960s, there were 26 shoe factories employing over 12,000 people, producing over seven million pairs each year.

With Northampton and the Midlands famous for producing mens shoes, Norwich was the UK’s centre for ladies’ and children’s footwear.

A tradition now continued alone

by The Florida Group through their Van Dal ‘Made in England’ collection.

As the last remaining

made in britain

manufacturer of traditionally made shoes in the UK, the group designs, develops and makes from its Norwich base, and while pragmatic enough to acknowledge the need to source from outside the UK, it remains committed to growing the number of home produced styles.

For more information visit www.floridagroup.co.uk or call 01603 787100.

new product showcase

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New designs launched Sales rocket after Prince George wears two pairs AFTER a steady start to 2014, Early Days sales rocketed by over 200 per cent after Prince George was in the spotlight wearing not one but two pairs of their shoes.

Shortly after Prince George was spotted by the cameras in Australasia the orders and enquiries poured in, so much so the company was forced to close its website.

Orders and enquiries from all over the UK and around the world have

new product showcase

filled the company’s order books like never before and they are now trying to recruit more skilled staff to help reduce the backlog.

Early Days, a family business have been manufacturing baby shoes since 1952 in Leicester. They launched their brand new “Leather Collection” in 2013 at Bubble where the shoes received a fabulous reaction and since then sales have gone from strength to strength.

DAISY Roots is the UK’s leading manufacturer of soft leather shoes for babies, toddlers and young children.

Sold both in the UK and exported internationally, Daisy Roots are the perfect first shoe. Each pair has a non-slip suede sole enabling toddlers to feel the floor as they find their feet.

The elasticated ankle means that no matter how active the child, the shoes stay on. Our shoes are easy to put on whilst being supple enough to allow little toes the room they need to stretch and grow.

The soft chrome free leather we use allows little feet to breathe and helps make our shoes the closest thing to bare feet, just as medics recommend.

made in britain

Daisy Roots has been hand making soft leather baby and toddler shoes in the UK for nearly 20 years. Our range includes gorgeous designs for little boys and girls with sizes to suit newborns to children of up to four years old.

A pair of Daisy Roots shoes makes the perfect impulse buy or add on sale, and our designs are also available in an elegant gift box.

To help your customers browse through our range and you to display your Daisy Roots shoes attractively in store we have two display stands available. The compact counter or table top display stand is free with orders of 24 or more pairs whilst our slim line floor stand is free with orders of 50 or more pairs. To help with merchandising we also offer free point of sale materials.

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business + technology

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An EPoS system is more than just stock control MANY assume that all an electronic point of sale (EPoS) system does is process till transactions and help manage stock control.

For many retailers just having accurate stock control is a huge boon. But investing in an EPoS system and simply using it just for managing stock is akin to buying a house and living and using a single room.

An EPoS system can help footwear retailers in a huge number of ways, some of which are listed below.

Unfortunately there isn’t room for all uses, but some may still surprise you.

Staff management – Some EPoS systems, like Cybertill, come with clocking in and out facilities so retailers can accurately manage their payroll. They also come with secure log in for each user so retailers can track each person’s activity and sales. Retailers can set visible sales targets on the till, so when each staff member logs in they can see their performance against their set target.

SDEA reveals new identity THE Shop and Display Equipment Association has unveiled its new brand identity.

Changes include a new logo to reflect the importance of using colour and vibrancy in successful retailing.

SDEA director Lawrence Cutler said: “The association is essentially a portal through which buyers and suppliers make contact and do business. Our decision to commission a new identity was not taken lightly, given that the old logo had served us well over many years.

business + technology

“However, there has been a growing feeling among the association’s members that we should spearhead the next phase of our growth strategy by reflecting the fact that display is a colourful and vibrant element of successful retailing – certainly in the way it is practised by SDEA member companies.

Hotter launches MPLS network across stores Page 33 32

July/August 2014

increase basket size, repeat shopper frequency and of course the bottom line. Loyalty programmes that can be configured as straightforward points schemes, discount or reward based and retailers can offer it instore and online. Retailers can set innovative promotions with endless permutations. They can manage these promotions in-store and online through the EPoS system, they can also have different promotions in store to online.

By Ian Tomlinson, chief executive of Cybertill

“The new logo achieves that objective and my colleagues and I are looking forward to implementing it across the very wide range of marketing and communications resources for which we are responsible.”

Communication tool – If a retailer is away from the store but they want to get in touch with the staff they can send instant messages or emails via the EPoS system.

Ian Tomlinson

Reduce fraud – EPoS systems also offer simple solutions to help combat in-store fraud. For example using barcodes, on every product, instead of pricing labels, helps combat ticket swapping in-store and ensures the correct price is charged for every product. They can also help prevent in-house fraud by staff.

Loyalty and promotions – Effective retail loyalty programmes are a proven solution to help retailers

Manage and control an ecommerce site – Some EPoS systems can help manage stock and information on their ecommerce site as well as instore. So retailers only need to update a product once and this is reflected in their shop and website.

Oh, and of course an EPoS system can be used for stock control. Many retailers that start using a good EPoS system will see a reduction in their stock holding, typically around 20 per cent, which is great news for your cash flow.

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Eco-friendly brand unveils sizing app ECO-friendly footwear brand Po-Zu has launched a new shoe sizing app.

The app, developed by What’sMySize in conjunction with Po-Zu, enables customers to check they are ordering the right size of shoes, simply by entering two measurements.

This means greater convenience for the customer as they can ensure they are ordering the right size of shoe first time, minimising the need for returns – and contributing to lower carbon emissions as a result of fewer deliveries.

The app recommends the best size

for your feet in your chosen style, based on foot length and joint measurements, while a video on the Po-Zu website gives step-by-step instructions on how to correctly measure your feet.

Founder of Po-Zu Sven Segal said: “We were delighted when we met Anne Currie, founder of What’sMySize, at an event, and she agreed to look into developing a shoe-sizing version of the app with us. We always want to do all we can to make our customer’s feet as comfortable as possible and to reduce our environmental impact, so we are proud to be the first to launch What’sMySize for shoes.”

Jacobson Group has appointed Victoria Dunlop to spearhead changes to the company’s London office. Victoria has a wealth of experience in the footwear industry, having spent 13 years with Li and Fung where she was category manager and prior to that working with Pentland Brands and River Island. Group sales director Tim Couchman said: “Victoria’s appointment together with this investment gives us the perfect platform to progress our fashion business with a dedicated team of professionals, enabling us to provide a comprehensive service from design through to delivery to customers in this fast and demanding sector.”

Business + Technology

Hotter has improved communication with a MPLS network from Vodat International across its stores and concessions.

Hotter launches MPLS network across stores HOTTER Shoes has taken steps to improve communications across its retail estate by launching a MPLS network from Vodat International across its stores and concessions.

The network will speed up the transfer of data between stores and head office, with Vodat also supplying a Wi-Fi network which will allow customers access to browse the website when in-store.

Head of IT at Hotter Shoes David Ainsworth said: “Previously, it could take up to four days to resolve

network failures.

“Managing our network in-house placed great demand upon the IT team’s resources and was no longer sustainable for our evolving business model.

“Since migrating across to the Vodat network, any issues are dealt with within a matter of hours.

“Hotter is a multi-channel retailer and we need a comprehensive view of the customer at all times, so a secure network capable of managing all our business data was essential.”

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DIARY dates Contacts

GDS:

Moda:

July 30 - August 1, Düsseldorf

August 10 - 12, NEC Birmingham

Tara Copthorne Shoe Event:

Pure London:

Autumn Fair:

September 21 - 23, Tara Copthorne Hotel, London

August 3 - 5, London Olympia

September 7 - 9, NEC Birmingham

TRAINING

Sales Tony Barry – Sales & Marketing Director (tb@scriptmedia.co.uk) Beverley Green – Group Sales Manager (bg@scriptmedia.co.uk) Avertising Contacts Tel: 01226 734333 Fax: 01226 734477

Editorial Judith Halkerston – Group Editor Nicola Hyde – Editor Christina Eccles – Reporter Dominic Musgrave – Reporter Editorial Contacts Tel: 01226 734694 Email: nh@scriptmedia.co.uk

Design & Production Stewart Holt – Studio Manager (sth@scriptmedia.co.uk) Laura Blackburn – Graphic Designer (lb@scriptmedia.co.uk)

Circulation 01226 734695 (24 hour line) Email: circulation@scriptmedia.co.uk

To advertise in Out on a Limb magazine please contact Bev Green on 01226 734 288

RETAIL SOLUTIONS

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