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Online retailers provide delivery options shoppers don’t want, research claims.
Retailers ‘miss the mark on expectations’ By Christina Eccles ONLINE retailers provide delivery options shoppers don’t want – and don’t offer the ones they do – according to new research from software company OrderDynamics and Opinion Matters. From next day delivery to in-store stock visibility, the research shows that retailers are disappointing consumers with a mismatch of the services they offer and the services customers expect. According to findings, more than half of online shoppers (54 per cent) want a named delivery date, but only 15 per cent of retailers currently offer it. By contrast, 61 per cent of retailers offer next day delivery (the second most common delivery option after standard delivery) but only 10 per cent of shoppers are willing to pay extra for the service, which on average costs £6. Instead, more consumers would prefer to see which nearest store has a product in stock (45 per cent), an option that only 11 per cent of retailers currently offer. Retailers have struck the balance in
one area however: 32 per cent of consumers reported they would use a click and collect service if it was available, and half of online retailers provide this facility. CMO of OrderDynamics Kevin Sterneckert said: “This study reinforces a point that I talk with retailers about every day: customers do not see channels. “They have one relationship with and one view of the retailer, and they want to hear you say ‘yes’ to their desires and to deliver that experience now. “Consumers are telling us that the industry is not yet living up to the promises we’re making. It will take a holistic view of data across the enterprise and across channels, and a fully integrated approach to retail to begin living up to customers’ demands. “This critical view of the “any channel” enterprise will make the difference between offering a service which is expensive to run and disappoints customers and a profitable experience that keeps customers coming back to you again and again.”
Ryan Gellert
Patagonia appoints general manager PATAGONIA has appointed Ryan Gellert as its new general manager in Europe, responsible for the company’s growing business across European markets, as well as the Middle East. He joins Patagonia from Black Diamond, Inc. where he spent 15 years in various roles, including brand president, VP of supply chain management and managing director of Black Diamond Asia. Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said: “We have a strong and dedicated team of people working in Europe and Ryan is a natural fit to move our business forward.”
Stars support charity wellies campaign
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STARS of TV and sport have got behind a charity campaign which encouraged people to wear their wellies to work. Harry Potter actor and Celebrity Squares host Warwick Davis and Strictly Come Dancing star Aliona Vilani were among the celebrities taking part in the event, which formed part of Farm Africa's larger Give Hunger The Boot campaign.
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schools, churches and community groups around the UK to get involved in fun welly-themed fundraising. Farm Africa's director of fundraising Pam Williams-Jones said: “We'd like to thank our celebrity supporters for
raising awareness of Give Hunger the Boot at Work and showing just how easy it is for companies and their employees to do something simple and fun but which has a big impact. The funds raised will help to support our life-changing work with farmers in eastern Africa, helping them to grow enough food to feed their families so that they don't have to face the daily struggle of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.”
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Ben’s designs are just the fit for River Island By Christina Eccles A FOOTWEAR design student from De Montfort University Leicester did such a good job during a work experience placement that his creations look set to take to the stands in high street giant River Island's shops next summer. The scouts are put through their polishing paces.
Cherry Blossom helps Scouts to shine on Remembrance Day CHERRY Blossom shoe care organised a Shining Parade for the 107th Derby Scouts (Aston, Weston and Shardlow) in preparation for several events the troop was attending to commemorate the First World War. Using polish and brushes donated by Cherry Blossom, local exServicemen Bob Read, Duncan Wallis and Adrian Hayward-Wills from the Aston and Weston branch of the Royal British Legion were invited to put the scouts through
their polishing paces. Scout leader Stuart Cooke said: “Bob, Duncan and Adrian were fantastic at instructing the Scouts on how to iron their uniforms and neckers properly, and, of course, they were experts in buffing shoes and boots to the highest shine.
Ben Donlan, who is in his final year studying DMU’s Footwear Design degree course, worked last summer on a placement at NorthStar in Wetherby, a company which has design contracts with various High Street chainstores. Ben said: “This is the first big thing for me with my designs and is very exciting. “I was given quite a lot of freedom and leeway at NorthStar. I did a bit of work on the original design and then added some more features – which they liked. “I added a mudguard and some
heatseals – mudguards are used to protect the forepart/toes of a shoe and are typically made out of easy to clean materials to aid in keeping the footwear looking in good condition – the heatseals are a rubbery design feature. “I generally use the computer to come up with my designs and then these are sent to the production centre in China where they make them up.” After seeing Ben’s designs, River Island got back to NorthStar wanting to buy four of the colour schemes which he had come up with. They are due to go on sale in its shops across the country in summer 2015. Ben so impressed at NorthStar during his summer work experience placement that they asked him to continue as a freelance design creator with them during the final year of his degree course at DMU.
“But it was particularly great to hear how these ex-Servicemen encouraged our Scouts to aim to look their best whilst remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice during wartime.”
Voting begins for awards THERE has been an unprecedented response to the 2015 Footwear Industry Awards, according to organisers, with over 2,000 nominations submitted.
winners. The voting stage will produce five finalists in each category, with the winners being those who have attracted the most votes overall.
The team have processed the entries and the voting form has now gone live at www.footwearindustry awards.com where the industry has been urged to vote to decide the
Awards will be handed out at the gala awards night on February 15 2015 at the National Motorcycle Museum, after the first day of the Moda Footwear Show.
International footwear brand Rocket Dog has appointed Wayne Cupid as key account manager for the UK. Wayne joins the team with a wealth of experience behind him following his position as key account manager at Wolverine, as well as gaining experience through brands including Timberland, Quiksilver and Rip Curl. He will work alongside Nicola Fearn to manage all UK key accounts for Rocket Dog and will report to UK sales manager Dave O’Malley. Wayne said: “I’m really excited about working with the team and with the Rocket Dog brand. They have some big plans and I look forward to contributing to their success.”
Scholl hosts pedicure beach SCHOLL built a pop up pedicure beach at Westfield London (White City) to mark the launch of its Velvet Smooth foot care range. Affordable luxury footwear brand, Moda in Pelle made its catwalk debut during London Fashion Week, alongside established designer PPQ. The capsule collection of high shine, snakeskin leather heels and sandals with bold, reflective embellishments, in a number of fresh and futuristic shades, were designed exclusively to complement PPQ’s Space Safari show on the opening day. The styles form part of Moda in Pelle’s SS15 collection and are available online.
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The event was designed to demonstrate how easy it is to get ‘beach-ready’ feet when using the Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi – an electronic foot file – whilst at the same time giving shoppers the opportunity to put their feet up and relax in the custom-made tropical
surroundings. As part of the event, a beach area was built within the atrium space of the popular shopping centre, providing a tranquil retreat for busy shoppers wishing to treat their feet. As the official ‘feet’ of Scholl, Abbey Clancy opened the beach and was snapped enjoying a pedicure, where she was swiftly followed by hundreds of other beachgoers. news
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Moda is set to welcome more than 1,450 brands across the show.
Brands show positive commitment to Moda THE next edition of Moda will take place at the NEC Birmingham from February 15 – 17 2015 and is set to welcome more than 1,450 brands across the show. Brands showing an early commitment to the event include Dr. Martens, Birkenstock, Mel by Melissa and Fly London. They will also join some of the UK’s leading home-grown labels, with Barkers Shoes from Northampton and Van Dal from Norwich signalling a strong contingent of UK manufactured brands.
A key selection of women’s footwear brands exhibiting include Rocket Dog, Moda in Pelle, Babycham, Dolcis, Ravel and Gardiner Bros, which is set to bring Riva Shoes and The Flexx. After its popular debut in August, Mini Moda is back, showcasing the top children’s footwear labels from across the globe in one stand-out area within the show. Popular brands in this section will include Lelli Kelly, Froddo, Bambi, Pepino, Pediped and Agatha Ruiz De La Prada. Mini Moda offers a new destination for buyers and brands
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Moda will feature a strong contingent of UK manufactured brands.
from the UK and beyond, offering a prime buying opportunity for both specialist kids’ retailers and those looking to extend their footwear offer. Event director Sean O’Connor said: “I’m delighted with the positive uptake from big names and new brands alike, it is a very promising start to the season. “We have a diverse selection of brands exhibiting which is always encouraging to see, we are committed to expanding our offer and enriching the trade show experience for our visitors.”
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Out on a Limb cover story
Editor’s comment
Christina Eccles Editor
Looking to the future
AS the festive season arrives, this issue we’re all about looking to the future...
What will be the biggest trends to watch out for in 2015? Who will be delivering the hottest designs seen in store and online? And what are the all important dates to get into your new diaries? Here at Out On A Limb, we are aiming to answer all of these questions. Our annual buyers’ guide, The One should provide a one stop shop for planning your year ahead, while in the magazine we take an early look at the upcoming shows, as well as rounding up the latest news and innovations in business and technology. We’d also love to hear your predictions, whether you’re approaching 2015 as a retailer or a supplier.
Footwear inspired by the free spirit and rebel for an authentic look ... OOAL wanted to know more about this iconic footwear brand HarleyDavidson, so we spoke to the European Sales Manager Hayley Sunshine and asked her some questions about the brand.
CAN you tell us more about the brand? Harley-Davidson Footwear captures the spirit of independence and adventure rumbling at the heart of the Harley-Davidson legend. The Harley-Davidson brand was established in 1903 when friends in a shed in the middle of America, in Milwaukee, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson experimented with an internal combustion engine and attached it to a bike. The outcome was the death of a burnt out shed and the birth of a motorcycle phenomenon. Inspired by the free spirit and rebel, the footwear is dominated by details such as buckles, harness features and H-D Hardware, as well as luxurious high quality leathers that give the footwear an authentic legendary look and feel.
Send your thoughts to our editorial team at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk and you could appear in the next issue.
Who is your typical customer?
Also with the party season now in full swing, we’d like to see how you’re capitalising on a busy shopping period in your store. Send us pictures of your Christmas window displays and how you’ve brought some festive magic into your shops and we’ll include a round up of the best in the magazine.
Harley-Davidson Footwear embodies the spirit of the open road, as well as the men and women who proudly wear the name. The typical consumer is authentic, open minded and self-expressive.
TOUGH. LOYAL. FEARLESS.
What are your most popular
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designs?
LEGENDARY LOOK. AUTHENTIC FEEL. The lifestyle collection for both men and women is based on everyday wearability making a confident statement and staying true to the brand. The most popular designs for men are the harness styled boots, such as Josh and El Paso. The style originated as footwear for motorcycle enthusiasts; designed to protect the rider’s feet from the heat of the exhaust. However, over time they’ve evolved and now are a fashion statement.
consumers. The brand has grown significantly in the past year and existing stocking retailers are benefiting from the profit and marketing opportunities.
To support our customers, stocking retailers will be trained on the brand and products and also provided marketing collateral and assets to help you sell to the consumer. We also have a brand new global POS roll out that they can be part of to showcase the brand in-store. Anything to watch out for in the coming seasons you can tell us about?
For women, the key designs radiate biker chick, styles such as Savannah and again harness style boots with metal detailing such as Abbie and Kellyn. The collection for women also follows the same theme with luxury leathers and durable branded outsoles. The designs make an impression with the first step. Anything but ordinary, the footwear makes the wearer stand out from the crowd. All styles are inspired by riding culture, the collection pays homage to the iconic style and design that the footwear is recognised for and in turn maintains that classic Harley edge.
The brand will be opening a selective number of retailers in 2015 that you can be part of!
Why are you a good fit for independent retailers – and how do you support them to sell your products?
If you are interested in hearing about the fantastic opportunities with Harley-Davidson Footwear please contact Hayley Sunshine, European sales manager on:
Independent retailers have the opportunity to stock a brand that is in demand at retail and online from
For 2015, H-D Footwear is introducing a collection of legendary fashion styles that blend classic silhouettes with unmistakable iconic Harley-Davidson DNA. Classic motorcycle boot styles with modern touches that are musthaves for tastemakers and H-D fans alike. What should retailers do if they are interested in stocking your products?
Email: hayley.sunshine@wwwinc.com Call: 0207 8600396
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GDS – the signpost for the seasons DESIGNERS, manufacturers and suppliers will join forces to reach out to retailers and present their collections on a worldwide stage at the forthcoming GDS trade show in Düsseldorf.
are providing a platform to decide style directions for the worldwide footwear and accessories trade.
The transition of the event into three distinct themed ‘style worlds’ has also proved popular.
According to organisers, the twiceyearly event, which in 2015 will take place on February 4 – 6 and July 29 – 31, is gaining the title of the global destination for trendsetting in shoes and accessories.
Iva Suchankova, international sales manager at TLG Brands, representatives of Fiorelli, said: “Trade exhibitions are a key element of our marketing and sales effort worldwide and selecting the events that deliver the appropriate enquiry and order intake is a major exercise for us.
The High Street allows show visitors to experience the collections that cover the entire spectrum from modern and sporty to traditional and wellness-oriented. This area also includes separate areas for kids’ collections and accessories, as well as the performance area for outdoor shoes.
With retailers seeking insight and inspiration to identify forthcoming trends, GDS and tagit!, the private label show which runs concurrently,
“Our attendance at the GDS shows is consistently justified by the footfall and the business we write on stand.”
Pop Up retailers have become familiar, particularly in “hip” urban locations and are defined by their strong brands with unmistakable
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it’s showtime
profiles that set the trends and present products in new ways. Premium brands are presented in a cleaner, designer-led environment in the Studio themed zone where a love of detail and handicraft prevails, as well as a commitment to the finest materials and premium workmanship. Managing director of Steptronic David Corben added: “GDS is very important for my Steptronic brand because we see so many retailers from The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, and we don't always see them at Micam, Milan.”
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Record rebook figures and new signings for Pure London 2015 PURE London has secured a vote of confidence from brands ahead of the February 2015 show, with record rebook figures met with a record number of new exhibitor signings. The news follows the show’s successful SS15 edition, which took place in August and welcomed 800 brands across fashion, footwear and accessories to London Olympia. Since then, organisers have experienced their fastest and most successful rebook, with over 375 brands already confirmed for next year’s show, up 54 per cent from last season. JUST Consultancies brought ICHI and Waven to the show for the first time in August, and will return next season with two additional brands, Mi Pac and AKA. Managing director at the agency Juls Dawson said: “We had a great show
(last season), with a wide variety of customers visiting our stand, from new accounts to existing, to some we hadn’t seen for ages. “We wrote approximately 60 orders at the show and had over 200 follow ups across the brands. Having done five shows across Europe in the preceding two months, this was by far our most successful show.” Footwear brand GEOX doubled their stand size for the August show and will also return in February. Sales manager James Mountfield added: “Pure London is a good show to give us access to a more directional client base; it keeps a really tight collection and a good portfolio of brands which is very important.” Also returning to the show will be brands including Cocorose London, Birkenstock and Almost Famous,
Pure London takes place from February 8-10 2015 at London Olympia.
alongside 75 key new brands already confirmed – a record number for this stage in the season. Among that line-up is Lola Rose,
Noa Noa and Dina Shaker. The next edition of Pure London will be taking place from February 8-10 2015 at London Olympia.
ISPO – the ultimate platform for sports business to connect NOW far more than a trade show, ISPO is a brand that represents the ultimate platform for sports business to connect.
A host of industry favourites have applied to exhibit at the A/W15 edition of Bubble London, which will take place on February 1 and 2 2015, at Islington’s Business Design Centre. With exhibitor applications now open, numerous big names have already signed up to appear at the next instalment of the show, where they will unveil the very latest in children’s clothing, footwear, accessories, gifts and interiors products. The show’s ever-growing A/W15 line-up features returning Bubble success-stories, Mayoral, Rachel Riley and Molo Kids. They will be joined by Aden + Anais, organic childrenswear brand, Frugi, and dress specialist, Poppy. Bubble’s event director Lindsay Hoyes said: “This is a great start to the Autumn/ Winter edition, and is a reflection of the growing optimism within the sector for both brands and retailers.”
For sports buying, networking, distribution opportunities and sheer business inspiration, ISPO brings together sports brands and business professionals from around the globe. In 2014, this unrivalled commercial energy can be shared first hand in Munich, home to the world’s most successful and dynamic sports trade event. The power of the ISPO brand is now the driving force behind an all-year programme of activities and portfolio of services, which are accessible internationally. ISPO MUNICH takes place later in 2015, from February 5 – 8, uniting all aspects of sports business and revealing trends that provide inspiration for forward thinking. There are UK brands strongly represented throughout all 16 halls of the show, from creative newcomers to big brand names. A strong outdoor presence in Hall B6 is seen with the UK Outdoor Village and The FSPA will be hosting their outstanding core sports area again in hall B4, where their group will showcase the best of new and traditional British sports brands. Growing year on year, 2014 saw
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2,565 exhibitors from 51 countries at ISPO MUNICH and 2015 is set to increase yet again. Over 60,000 visitors attended in 2013 from more than 100 countries, with a steadily growing number of UK professionals among them. Everything from performance sports to sport style, action sports, sourcing and other traditional sports markets are set to be under the spotlight when the show opens its doors. Register and buy your ticket online before January 11 and you can benefit from nearly 50 per cent discount compared to buying tickets at the show. Visit http://bit.ly/1bj04 for more details. features
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Winners are unveiled at Autumn Fair Beauty and functionality combine for new range A BRITISH brand which combines the beauty of a designer handbag with the functionality of a rucksack has launched a new e-commerce site, making the products available to buy worldwide. Created for women on the move, Luxac aims to minimise the strain of carrying heavy items whilst also looking sleek. Creator Louise Bangay said: “I wanted to make a beautiful handbag, something women can rely on – practical, fun and made
exquisitely well. “I was told I couldn't use a handbag due to a back condition and rucksacks are ugly. I was sick of bags with black linings – what a missed opportunity for a bit of a treat, a bit of a surprise. “I wanted to design something witty and attractive, with colourful and interesting linings; a hidden gem inside a smart bag. I couldn't find what I needed for my own personal use so I designed one and Luxac was born.”
THE winners of the fourth BTAA Fashion Accessory Of The Year Awards have been unveiled at the recent Autumn Fair.
An audience of over 250 people were present, representing shortlisted entrants, suppliers,retailers and trade press working within the industry. For the first time, all shortlisted entrants’ products were exhibited on the awards stand next to the catwalk,giving the companies great exposure for the duration of the show. The winners included: Luggage and Travel:
Highly Commended: Artsac by Smith and Canova; Winner: Cazsbi Bee Soft Trolley Case by Picture Case. Fashion Handbags:
Highly Commended: Into The woods Tote by Holly & Ruby; Winner: Kylie Clutch By Steven Harkin Design. Fashion Jewellery:
Highly Commended: The Passion Poppy By Rodney Holman; Winner: Time Collection By 1 of 1. The awards were hosted by BTAA chief executive Paul Yates and presented by chairman Jacquie Sandison. Milliner to the stars Alexandra Harper Millinery has created a new range inspired by Disney character Tinker Bell. The five one-off creations encapsulate the character’s unique and quirky personality and follows on from Alexandra's first capsule collection for Disney, which was inspired by Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. She said: “Working with Disney is an amazing opportunity. I've always been drawn to hats and to the fantasticalness of Disney. To be able to combine the two is pure magic.”
Actress Mila lends her support to campaign Poppy charm raises £2,500 for charity
SUPPLIER of responsibly sourced gemstones, Gemfields, has announced a collaboration with activist designer, Mary Fisher on the Gemfields 100 Good Deeds Bracelet.
A BRIGHTON based jeweller has raised over £2,500 for the Royal British Legion by designing an exclusive silver poppy charm
Actress Mila Kunis, the face of Gemfields’ advertising campaign, has lent her support by appearing in a special video to raise awareness for the project. Featuring 100 ethically mined Gemfields Zambian amethyst beads, the bracelet symbolises a commitment to perform good deeds and bring about positive change in the world. Mary said: “The motivation behind the 100 Good Deeds collection is to inspire simple acts of kindness around the world. “Each bracelet is a reminder to spread positive change through action and fulfill our mission to Do Good, One Deed, One Bead, One
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Scarlett Jewellery is donating £15 from the sale of each product to support ex-service men and women.
Mary Fisher with ambassador Mila Kunis.
Act of Kindness at a Time.” Proceeds from sales of the bracelets will be donated to the Abataka Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides economic and educational opportunities otherwise unavailable to women and girls across the globe.
The Sussex based jeweller has a long-standing commitment to The Royal British Legion and were one of the first jewellers to work with them, starting in 2005. Managing director of Scarlett Jewellery Marc Rickard said: “Scarlett Jewellery is delighted to have raised £2,500 for this fantastic cause but we know we can raise more. “With the generous support of the public and Christmas on its way we hope to hit the £3,000 mark.”
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Busy period for Early Days EARLY Days, the longest established baby shoe manufacturer in the UK, is enjoying its busiest trading period in many years. The new range of leather pram shoes, launched at Bubble in January 2013, has been a huge success, with the Leicester based company struggling to cope with demand. Their usual two to three week lead time has been extended to 12 weeks and the company is trying desperately to recruit more skilled staff though, frustratingly, this is proving to be very difficult due to the changing structure of the UK skill base. The company has started
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kool for kids
outsourcing some operations to local companies, this is proving to be very successful and they are planning to extend this to other operations moving into 2015. Early Days are pleased to report the huge growth in business has not just come from the UK market as their exports have grown significantly and they now export over 40 per cent of the shoes they produce. In over 60 years trading, the company’s exports have constantly been around 20 per cent so this is fantastic news, especially in view of somewhat turbulent trading conditions during 2014. Early Days will be exhibiting at Bubble, February 1-2 2015.
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POD back to school 2015 DUE to the current economic climate and pressure on retail prices, we have introduced our new Grip range for boys and girls from UK size eight to three for back to school 2015.
Our current BTS on Stag and Terrain ranges have been enhanced with several new styles Scarpa, Stratos and Taurus which has been developed based on customer feedback.
The new ranges although geared to more competitive retail prices still include full leather uppers with hardwearing soles in order to withstand the wear and tear of school shoes.
The ranges will still include our formal shoes from the County range which offers sizes from boys 32 up to extra-large size 52 to cater for young to the older, more mature students.
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Bobux, creators of baby, toddler and pre-school shoes designed to mimic the freedom of going barefoot, is set to introduce something new to the market with the launch of The X Range. Designed by edgy footwear designer, Sean Maisano, who has created for the likes of Adidas and Prada, design is very much at the core of the collection. The X Range is packed with innovation and with a street style so effortlessly cool, the collection is certain to be hot property amongst mini and mummy fashionistas. And whilst trend setting mums won’t be able to resist the originality of The X Range, they can do so with the safe knowledge that, just like all Bobux’s shoes, the range supports the natural development of children’s feet so they are free to grow and develop healthy feet for life.
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Gorgeous shoes, slippers and booties for little feet DAISY Roots UK Ltd is the UK’s leading manufacturer of soft leather shoes for babies, toddlers and young children. Our collection is designed and handmade in Northamptonshire using chrome free leather. Our range includes gorgeous designs for little boys and girls and is available in sizes to suit newborns to children of up to four years old. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary during 2015 and our shoes remain as popular as ever. We have recently seen an increase in demand for our larger sizes, due to the increasing popularity of wooden, tile and laminate flooring. Daisy Roots shoes have an elasticated ankle that help them to stay on and the non-slip suede sole means that no matter what age the child, their toes are protected.
is free with 50 or more pairs. The trade price for a pair of shoes in our standard Daisy Roots range is £9 with a recommended retail of £19.
A pair of Daisy Roots shoes makes the perfect gift and impulse buy, and our designs are also available in an elegant gift box.
For more information on all of our products please call 01604 880066, email sales@daisyroots.com or log onto www.daisyroots.com.
To help your customers browse through our range we have two display stands available: Our counter top display stand is free with orders over 24 pairs, whilst the floor stand
Alternatively visit our stands at Spring Fair, Moda-UK, Harrogate Home and Gift, Autumn Fair, Kind Und Jugend and Top Drawer Autumn.
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Range features nine styles for girls and five for boys THE Superfit Back to School range for the UK and Ireland features nine styles for girls and five styles for boys. The collection is produced in Both Black Nappa and Patent uppers in sizes 25 to 42. Some styles are also combined with GORE-TEX to provide a guaranteed waterproof and
kool for kids – back to school
breathable product perfect for the rigours of a school day. There is also an indoor Plimsoll in Black available in sizes 23-38 and an outdoor white unisex sport shoe available in sizes 25-41. Delivery available from June A and also from instock all year round. We will be at MODA on Stand R29.
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Luxury children’s footwear brand Young Soles is creating a real sense of nostalgia with its old school British designs. OOAL reporter Olivia Taylor spoke to founder Louise Shill to discover the story so far...
Lack of ‘simple yet cool’ designs the inspiration for kids’ range WITH designs including the classic monkey boot, T-bar and brogue, the brand has a classic ‘Great British seaside’ feel. Since its launch over a year ago, the shoes have made their way into the pages of Vanity Fair, with Louise explaining to Out On A Limb that her inspiration comes from a lack of “simple yet cool” designs on the market. She said: “In my opinion, the kids’ shoe industry is still catching up with the rest of the fashion world. “While there is a wealth of sensible school shoes, sneakers and sparkles out there, I wanted to be able to buy simple yet cool looking shoes for my own child. “I’m approached by people when I’m out and about with my daughter, her Young Soles shoes attract attention from people of all ages. Passers by stop me and ask where her shoes are from, and comment on how cool she looks and how her shoes have bought back a sense of nostalgia for them.”
With new styles every season, Louise is always on the lookout for vintage shoe ideas, hunting for inspiration in music, childhood memories and old style movements in order to create contemporary shoes with British heritage patterns. She added: “I’m constantly researching vintage styles and on the look out for new and interesting ideas, that part of the process never stops.” The shoes are typically stocked in children’s boutiques and online and with a high demand for Young Sole shoes, Louise now is looking to increase the size range to up size UK five (38). She added “The reaction we’ve had so far for me has been totally unexpected. It’s fantastic to know that other people share my sense of nostalgia and passion for British heritage styling. “I’d love to expand the range into other areas in the future but for now we are concentrating on feedback from our customers.”
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Van Dal and The Florida Group – over 100 years of shoemaking tradition VAN Dal is part of The Florida Group, a family company whose origins can be traced back to the early 1900s. Founded by Adelman Goodman, the group originally made shoes in London but in 1936, along with his two sons, he moved to Norwich to open a shoe factory. When they arrived in the city it was already a growing centre for ladies and children’s shoemaking in the UK. By the mid 1960s, there were 26 shoe factories employing 12,000 people, with over 7m pairs produced each year. The company quickly established its position locally and became an active part of a shoe association featuring names such as Edwards and Holmes, Norvic, Sextons, Bally and Start Rite. The Florida Group, and the Van Dal brand, is now unfortunately the last remaining. In fact, the company is now the last remaining traditional ladies shoe maker left in the UK. This is in stark contrast to the production of men’s
footwear in Northampton where many brands still operate. First launched in 1946, the Van Dal brand has long been known for quality, stylish and wider fitting shoes. A pragmatic approach of combining overseas sourcing and home production has seen the company prosper and with a growing number of styles still made in their Norwich factory, the tradition of ladies shoemaking remains strong. Today the brand continues to build on its heritage of producing smart and stylish shoes but with changing footwear tastes has also evolved to offer more casual lines.
With supple leather and flexible rubber outsole, the ready-to-wear Roadrash collection almost belies its tough name. While a cushion flex insole does provide all day comfort, the moto inspired designs and antiqued metal hardware defiantly raise a fist to the biker within. Available in women’s 10” and 16” moto boots and men’s men’s 8” lacer and 11” harness.
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Iconic footwear
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Brand combines fashion and technology By Olivia Taylor
air bubbles buried into the insole.
They’re a classic style.”
INNOVATIVE footwear brand Caprice has revealed why combining fashion with the latest technology has made its products more appealing to style conscious wearers.
The insole also acts as a layer that protects the foot, allowing moisture to concentrate in the air bubbles, and then pass through the chambers, enabling walkers to enjoy a comfortable temperature.
Also popular with buyers is the brand’s bespoke ‘onAIR Antishokk’ technology – a heel air suspension chamber/cylinder system that cushions every shock; reducing impact on the wearer’s spine and joints.
The brand, originally known for its comfort footwear, uses two in one insole technology within its shoes, allowing wearers to enjoy a higher level of comfort, with better climate control and cushioning due to 300
Stephen Joseph from Caprice explained: “Why should comfort shoes be reserved for older people? We’re getting grandmas and their granddaughters buying our shoes.
Stephen added: “Once people try our shoes on they generally buy them, because of the comfort.
“Why should women who go out in high heels be crippled?” The collections are only available to buy from licensed retailers as the brand is a firm believer in supporting shops. Stephen added: “If someone sees one of our adverts and calls us asking for this shoe in a size six, we will direct them to their local retailer.”
Offering the best advice to diabetics By Laura West, secretary, The Society of Shoe Fitters HOT topics in NHS circles are obesity and diabetes – both affect feet big time. For those who have some medical knowledge, often one follows the other. It costs in excess of £90,000 to treat a patient with diabetes. Bear in mind there are more than 3,000,000 people in the UK with diabetes – that is a hefty amount of NHS budget. It’s not just handing out insulin and advice… so many other problems become more acute for a diabetic, for example, there is a much greater chance of having a heart attack, going blind or having an amputation due to pressure sores and gangrene. The condition needs tremendous care and consideration. Preventative medicine – education, is the best way of helping people to combat obesity and diabetes related problems but sadly people only take notice when it affects them – often too late. So what has this got to do with the shoe trade? More than 90 per cent of shoe shops would have no idea
how to advise and serve a diabetic.
understand why.
Feet and eyes are the two most vulnerable parts of a diabetic physique and they need far greater care and expertise. Fortunately there are some people in the footwear industry that are more enlightened – Society of Shoe Fitter members.
Because the industry is not regulated, quality shoe shops with trained professionals are not respected, or given any formal recognition for their knowledge and care. A huge number of ‘proper’ shoe shops have closed over the past five years, unable to compete with high street fashion stores selling cheaply made fashion footwear which have travelled half way around the globe to end up in landfill a matter of weeks or months later – hardly a green credential and harmful in more ways than one. The internet and people ‘self fitting’ their online purchase is the nail in the coffin for many and adds to the NHS bill.
SSF members have qualified over a five or 10 month course to know nearly everything there is to know about fitting a shoe professionally, taking into account a person’s gait and their physical health – including offering best advice to diabetics. Most people are scared of going blind so will find an optician – a regulated health professional. But what about feet and footwear – the only item of clothing that can seriously damage long term health? Three successive governments have ignored the importance of footwear on general health. People buy unfitted rubbish footwear and not realise the difference between a good shoe and a bad shoe – or care less until it is too late and they have a problem. The public expect anyone wielding a fitting gauge (which very few do in
Laura West
an adult shoe shop) to be qualified to fit… but are they? Is there any legal obligation to know about feet and footwear to sell shoes? No, there is only a moral obligation, so it is hardly surprising that the knock-on effect has led to there being more than 23,000 podiatrists in the UK – it’s not rocket science to
One Step Ahead
The Society of Shoe Fitters is literally fighting to educate the public and those in power to make changes before it is too late. For 55 years the SSF has helped both the public and footwear industry unassisted financially. The society is proactive and reacting to the changes – but cannot do it alone, and would welcome support from everyone. November/December 2014
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Ready to launch SS15, the new MBT UK team has arrived MBT the physiological footwear brand will soon unveil their new SS15 collection when they launch in early 2015.
A modern, refreshing palette of colours on new and existing products with the MBT patented technology is sure to excite loyal and attract new fans. Furthermore, the UK MBT business has been very busy re-establishing its position in the UK market. The team – including VP (Europe) Tony Arquimbau and HOS Paul Buckingham began working from a
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new office based in Camberley Surrey in July this year.
Paul said: “The office location gives us good access to London, airports and major road links, enabling travel to our customers in the UK, we are pleased to have a new showroom and warehouse on site with which to manage stock as well as customer meetings.” In a strategic move to further grow and strengthen the brand in the UK and Eire market the team have just launched a new e-commerce site. Paul added: “The site has been built
with our global IT team, and can be accessed either from our MBT.COM/UK page or directly at https://shop.mbt.com/uk
“It is a sleek, easy to use site, currently featuring our FW14 collection and soon to launch SS15. We are confident the new online shop will be a success providing an easy purchase option for the many UK consumers. “E-commerce is a key element of our global strategy and is extremely important for the UK market, we offer free next day shipping to UK and the site will also help us to
One Step Ahead
understand our market better as we review our sales and feedback.” The team are also currently on the lookout for locations to begin a roll out of new MBT concept stores in the UK. Tony added: “We are excited to be able to offer our loyal fans the new MBT shopping experience in the UK. “We are hoping to announce a location for the new shop very soon.” For sales enquiries contact Laura Green on +44 (0) 1276 64443.
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One Step Ahead
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Technology in footwear – where is the revolution? By Jack Brown, footwear consultant ADVANCES in technology continue to race ahead. Mobile phones are getting smarter, car dashboards are looking more like the cockpit of a Boeing 737 and at the time of writing we are just about to land a probe on a moving comet 300m miles away! Advances in technology are all around us, from fridges who tell us when to order more milk and car sensors helping us to park to voice activated lighting. The speed of new innovations in all walks of life is phenomenal, but not in finished footwear. Admittedly shoe manufacturing has eventually crept into the 21st century with very high-tech machinery and some materials are lighter, more durable, more flexible and more colourful than before. But if we listed “advances in technology” on finished
footwear we would struggle to create a strong innovative list. Flashing lights on heels; wheels on soles; anti-bacterial linings; posture enhancing foot beds; novelty ears that spring up during walking; trackers in shoes to help locate the kids and maybe one or two more. But where is the real revolution in technology on finished footwear? Where is the mind-blowing, innovative thinking that can put footwear on the map and make it the number one consumer purchase of the year. What about shoes with radios or TVs embedded? Shoes that can monitor blood pressure or blood circulation or other medical conditions? Shoes that can charge your mobile phone or massage the foot whilst walking? Shoes that can be 100 per cent recycled? Where are the technical innovators of the shoe world?
There are many design-led competitions, designer shoes, design-bias magazines and design degrees. Where is the support from the industry for technical innovation? How many companies have a research and development department? Place a 1990 mobile phone or car next to a 2014 mobile phone and car and see the difference. Can the same be said for footwear? Will the 2020 shoe be virtually the same shoe as the 1990 shoe, except it is now in zebra print? The challenge to the industry is to innovate, revolutionise, think out-of-the-box and bring the humble shoe into the 21st century with new ideas, advanced technology, surreal application and mind-blowing creativity. Why not have a brainstorming
Jack Brown
meeting with your staff and pool ideas. Who knows, that one idea which is cast wildly into the melting pot may become the number one best seller for years to come.
Moda in Pelle enhances its online and in-store customer experience FOOTWEAR brand Moda in Pelle has invested in a unique stock control and POS system and website in order to enhance its online and instore customer experience. The new system, called Hydra, allows customers to have a more interactive, personal experience at the same time as enabling the brand to have better control of stock. Chief executive at Moda in Pelle David Inglis said: “Hydra was initially created as a bespoke replacement for traditional warehouse data collection scanners, however we quickly realised its capabilities were way beyond that. It could be put on any Windows mobile or android device with no need for any changes, so we started to develop it further to enable use at store level.” Following the introduction of a POS option, Moda in Pelle has now rolled the system and devices out across all its UK stores. This allows customers to interact with staff on a more personal level as it removes the need to go behind a cash desk to use an old style desktop POS system, heightening the in-store experience.
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The second stage of the growth is the investment in a new mobilefriendly website, packed with features including integration with the business’ existing internal systems. David added: “Multi-channel is the key focus for the business over the coming years – we want to give our customers the ability to shop for the brand in any way that suits them. “We already had an exceptionally capable back end IT system, and teamed with the new Magento website and Hydra system it lays strong foundations for some very exciting developments for the business and our customers.”
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Managing your business to get the most from shows By Ian Tomlinson, Cybertill VISITING trade shows need not mean hassle and precious time away from your shop. With the right tools you can reorder products when meeting existing suppliers, add new suppliers and products to your store’s stock control or EPoS system and check on your store’s performance all whilst visiting a trade show. How? Armed with a cloud based point of sale system, it is like carrying your business in your back pocket. Imagine this scenario at a trade show. You get there early to bag a good parking spot and grab a coffee and get your bearings. Armed with a show guide and floor plan, you circle all the current suppliers you want to see, whilst also making a note of any new ones you want to talk to. Before visiting your suppliers you’ll want to know your figures. With a cloud based EPoS system
Business + Technology
you log on to your tablet and run some reports against each supplier.
After checking you explain you stopped selling it because they increased their prices.
You review category sales reports and use that to negotiate with them on better pricing.
You agree a price and relist it on your website. In the afternoon you start talking to new potential suppliers. You agree to buy some stock lines from three of them.
Before you log off you then check that your staff have clocked into work and see how sales are going, both in-store and online.
However in two of the meetings the suppliers aren’t sure if you will meet the sales quantity to get their lowest price.
You send a quick message, through your PoS system, to the staff, about a delivery you are expecting. After positive meetings with suppliers that morning, you have some lunch. You begin to raise the purchase orders in your PoS system. After importing the product file from your first supplier, you simply need to order the right quantity of stock. You also check your sales at the shop, you notice that your sales manager has made a great sale 10 minutes ago.
Ian Tomlinson
You quickly call the store, congratulate the manager, as they tell you the details of the sale. Just after lunch you bump into the sales director from an old supplier. After you catch up, they explain they have some over-stock on a line you used to sell.
You grab your tablet and run a report showing them your sales over the last twelve months on rival product lines. Impressed with the data and professionalism they offer you their lowest price. Just before leaving you log on and see the store has hit target today. You also notice the product you earlier agreed to take from your old supplier has sold 12 units online. All in all it has been a good day.
November/December 2014
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DIARYdates Expo Riva Schuh International Shoe Fair January 10 -13 2015
Top Drawer London Spring/Summer January 11 -13 2015
Bread & Butter 2015 January 19 - 21 2015
ISPO February 05 - 08 2015
Spring Fair February 01 - 05 2015
London Edge February 01 - 03 2015
Pure February 08 - 10 2015
Contacts 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 hotline) Email: circulation@scriptmedia.co.uk
RETAIL SOLUTIONS
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