More than 9,000 people attended the fair, the 101st edition, marking significant growth compared to both January 2024 and last year’s June edition.

Buyers, whose voices met those of 1,300 exhibitors, brands and companies representing 40 countries, including the world’s major producers (80 per cent international, 20 per cent Italian), spread across a total exhibition area of 50,000sqm across 11 fully occupied halls.

The Gardabags area dedicated to bags, luggage and accessories was hosted by 47 companies from Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey.

“Over the past few days, we have seen a widespread and overall sense of satisfaction,” said Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “In particular, I think it is important to highlight the increase in visitors from Latin America and Europe, and especially the significant return of buyers from Germany and Italy, up from June 2023.”

Attendees spoke not only of the new collections for the upcoming SS25 season, but also echoed throughout the 19 events that animated the four-day fair. All aimed at offering a complete overview of the footwear, bags and fashion accessories market: from the analysis of consumer trends to the showcasing of several exhibitors’ models, carefully selected for the Highlights Area; from the in-depth analysis of markets in different countries through the Market Focuses to the celebration of the event’s 50th anniversary with the highly successful Summer Celebration Nights.

Organisers shared some of the voices recounting an event that solidifies its status as a global hub for the mass-produced footwear and accessories market…

“I never thought I would find such a varied range of collections and suppliers from literally all over the world. This was my first time at Riva del Garda, but I will do everything I can to return.” Viona Maulidia – Matahari (Indonesia).

“Transparency is a stylistic detail that will undoubtedly shift from the catwalks to next seasons’ best-sellers, from ballerinas to boots.” MariaCristina Rossi – Arsutoria (Italy).

“Following the huge success of e-commerce during the pandemic, the situation has now stabilised, but we are at the fair looking for new partners and suppliers able to stimulate the market with fashionable and well-priced offerings.” Beate Anna Rehm – La Colibrì (Germany).

GianPaola Pedretti, Exhibition Manager, concluded: “This year of record growth, in which we also celebrated 50 years of business and 100 editions, motivates us to further pursue internationalisation, ensuring the best possible matching of supply and demand.”

The next edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags takes place on 11 to 14 January 2025.

View the latest edition of Footwear Today here – or on your mobile device

Editor’s Comment: Power to the people!

Welcome to the June edition of Footwear Today, where this month we’ve got a really thought-provoking piece from the BFA (page 8) about the skills shortage in this industry and the struggle to attract young people into the profession…

A new trailblazer group is reviving a new manufacturer apprenticeship scheme to not only make it more relevant to the needs of today’s industry, but also universally applicable to all kinds of UK footwear businesses.

And it would seem this couldn’t come at a better time. Our sector faces an increasing challenge to attract young, skilled professionals who will revitalise the manufacturing workforce and bring fresh ideas and practices to develop this historic trade and take it forward for the future.

At the end of last year, the British Footwear Development Trust (BFDT) introduced a new grant programme designed to support individuals and businesses to reach their full potential within the UK footwear market. It aims to enhance skillsets, ignite creativity and fuel growth across the sector.

Competition is fierce nowadays from right across the world, but the UK can maintain its position as long as we are open to change.

And that applies on the retail side as well. Footwear retailers that have a passion for training and staff development will excel during challenging times. Consumers expect to be engaged by sales staff who know how to handle all kinds of purchase queries and customer needs. Without effective staff training, who’s to blame if a customer walks out empty-handed?

The responsibility as the employer is to equip your staff to be the best they can be. At the end of the day, these people could be ones taking your business forward in the years to come.

Jack Cheeseman – Editor – Footwear Today

jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk

Tel: 01622 699120

www.footweartoday.co.uk

Twitter: @FootwearToday  –  Instagram: @footweartodaymag

View the latest edition of Footwear Today here – or on your mobile device

Editor’s Comment: The great outdoors

There’s no denying that the sun brings people out. Admittedly, that is hard to imagine right now with this seemingly endless Winter/Spring period we’re having!

But eventually the weather will cheer up and fashions will change as people spend more time out and about enjoying the Summer sun. So what better time for footwear retailers to entice customers instore to browse the latest collections of sandals, flip flops, wedges and other seasonal attire.

This month’s Editor’s Choice feature may help – the theme is comfort, and we’re bringing you a huge selection of men’s and ladies’ styles all centred around comfortable footbeds, light and soft materials, slip-on features and foot support. And there are some bright Summer designs in there too!

It’s that time of year when people are planning holidays and minibreaks and many will be thinking ahead to their outfit choices, so your customers need a reason to pay you a visit – they need a temping reminder to consider upgrading their wardrobe ready for the season ahead.

Your shop windows will be the biggest draw for those walking past, but what about reaching people via digital platforms? Consumers view multiple digital touch points and are influenced by so much information online these days, so how can you ensure you are putting your best digital foot forward?

In this issue Emma Louise Smith looks at what digital marketing tools, insights and resources will best help you monitor your digital campaign/content effectiveness to help improve customer retention, and to also entice new customers to shop.

I hope you enjoy reading this latest edition. Don’t forget you can always send me your news, my details are below.

Jack Cheeseman – Editor – Footwear Today

jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk

Tel: 01622 699120

www.footweartoday.co.uk

Twitter: @FootwearToday  –  Instagram: @footweartodaymag

Footwear Today Live returned to the National Conference Centre (NCC) in Birmingham on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 February with hundreds of brands coming together to network and liaise with footwear retailers from all across the UK.

If you missed highlights from the show back in February, why not catch up on the Footwear Today Instagram or Twitter/X page!

The show has grown rapidly since its first edition in September 2022, and it now occupies nearly the whole of the NCC – taking over nine event rooms across two levels, whereas at the first show it was just one room!

Footwear Today Live welcomed more than 130 different brands for this February 2024 edition, including Art, Bugatti, Chatham, Dasco, Fidelio, Elle Sport, Geox, Healthy Back Bag, Joya, Levi’s, Mustang, Osprey London, Ravel, Rieker, Scholl, Skechers, Wrangler, XTI and many, many more.

It really is the perfect mix of both brands and retailers under one roof – providing not just plenty of networking opportunities but an all-new buying location in a manageable and friendly environment.

What the retailers said…

Amanda Fowler, of Buckle & Bows in Lincolnshire, said Footwear Today Live is a one-stop-shop to visit all your favourite brands under one roof…

“The layout of the show is great; it’s easy to navigate and well laid out so every brand is visible and not missed,” she said. “The number of brands showing has increased, meaning you get a great variety of footwear on show. I visited Piccolino, Marco Tozzi, Jana, Caprice, Legero and XTI to name a few and also placed orders with a couple of new brands, which is great.”

Meanwhile, Shirley Allum from Shirley Allum Fashions & Lingerie in Dorset, added: “It is always an absolute dream to go to the Footwear Today Live show and to find all the good brands under one roof on one weekend. On my first visit to the show I found Pikolinos, which has grown from strength to strength with us, and not forgetting Birkenstock, Toni Pons, Fly, Geox, Strive and many more.

“I hope to see you all there again in the Summer!”

Natalie Taylor, of Runway Boutique in Somerset, said visiting Footwear Today Live is “the perfect tie-in” with Spring and Autumn Fair, plus the free drinks and lunch are “a lovely bonus”!

“We look forward to visiting the show as it’s a very friendly, well laid out show,” she said. “We always visit our normal brands, Heavenly Feet, Jana, S.Oliver, Laura Vita and BBS, but we also like to try to find new suppliers and have picked several up in the past.”

What the brands said…

“It’s always a good sign when the two days pass by in a flash,” commented Russell Galliven from Galliven Agencies. “It was another well organised show and with a great turnout from existing and potential new customers. I felt that buyers generally appreciate the central location and accessibility, as well as lay out of the show, and not to mention the excellent free lunch!

“It will be interesting to see how the earlier and revised dates will impact the August show. Pikolinos will definitely be in attendance and I’m already looking forward to it!”

Andrew Paget, of Brocton Footwear, added: “We had a good show. We saw plenty of businesses – some existing customers and many new faces, several of which opened accounts with us and placed orders. The Birmingham Footwear Today show gains in strength and importance each time!”

Elsewhere, Helen Fraser from West Midland Shoe Company was a first-time exhibitor at the February show – “for us it was a great success”, she said.

“We opened new business and also saw existing customers. We felt it was a great way to launch our new collections and a very positive start to the season. Plus, we found the venue has a lovely feel to it.”

Footwear Today Live returns to the NCC Birmingham on 12-13 August 2024. To find out more information about the show and to register, click here.

Partner of the show: The British Footwear Association

The British Footwear Association (BFA) has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Reece-Raybould, has left the organisation.

She joined in 2019 and helped to significantly grow the membership during her tenure. In a statement issued by the BFA this week, it said that Ms Reece-Raybould had been instrumental in raising the profile of the footwear industry at government level, and supporting partners through the challenges of recent years presented by Brexit and the COVID pandemic.

Before starting at the BFA, she previously worked at the Company of Master Jewellers since 2010.

Ms Reece-Raybould said: “We’ve undertaken an incredible journey together as a sector and I want to express my appreciation for the friendships and connections forged during my time at the BFA.”

Adding to that, Chair of the BFA, Jane Wilson, said: “On behalf of all our members and partners I would like to thank Lucy for her work with the BFA. She leaves it in a strong position with an engaged membership and active schedule of events. I’m sure they will join me in wishing Lucy every success in the future.”

The BFA has an exciting year planned in 2024 with a programme of webinars, events and the much-anticipated Sustainability Summit on 17 April.

Ms Wilson and the BFA Board will oversee the CEO responsibilities on an interim basis while the search for a replacement takes place.

To quote Cathy Sparks, VP of Nike: “Retail is not dead. Boring retail is dead.” Physical retail is still very much alive and kicking, and those stores that have created an exciting and welcoming experience for their customers are reaping the benefits. With transaction-focussed retail on the way out and heavy selling becoming less and less effective – what can retailers do to continue to encourage footfall?

1: Craft experiences that excite and delight customers!

• Apple launched Augmented Reality (AR) technology to showcase its products in lockdown. ‘AR Quick Look’ for new iPhone or iMac models allows you to see what they look like in your space or in your hand.
• BMW uses experiences to allow car shoppers to go into showrooms and customise cars with different colours or styles using their tablets or phones. It also provides Virtual Reality (VR) goggles in its showrooms so customers know what it’s like to experience driving the cars!
• IKEA launched The Place App in 2017, where the use of Augmented Reality (AR) allows shoppers to place furniture items into their homes, so they can visualise exactly how the item will look in their setting.

2: Engage with your audiences at a local level:

Whether you’re positioning your business within your local community to showcase your commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals and/or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) goals, getting involved at a local level will keep you in the forefront of your customers’ minds.

• Sponsor local events;
• Be a member of the town council and/or local networking groups. This will keep you fully up to date with local news and developments and increase your visibility;
• Invest in younger generations. It could be a local sports team, or you could offer an apprenticeship;
• Invite locals to an ‘exclusive’ open day, and/or host an event in collaboration with another local business.

3: Experiential marketing is the new buzzword:

Modern consumers desire more from their instore shopping experience. Your goal should be to make them feel connected and part of a community – alongside providing a product and service that is both valuable and memorable.

• Invite them to ‘exclusive’ new product launches;
• Host showcase events for new product lines or collections so customers can get up close to the latest trends;
• Host reward based events that cater for the tastes of your top customers;
• What other businesses out there are a perfect fit for your brand? And what can you do in tandem to raise awareness of your products and services?

4: Onboarding new customers:

Once you’ve rung the purchase through the cash register, what happens next? You don’t want to just wave them out the door never to see them again!

• Set up reminders about followup footwear collections to tempt them back in store;
• Send invitations to engage on social media;
• Add the customer into a sales funnel that tracks their journey, continuing to add value to them as a consumer;
• Invite them to ‘exclusive’ post purchase events.

5: Your people are your biggest brand advocates – and assets:

We all know the story of the goose and the golden egg – however, in any retail environment your people are your biggest assets. It is your personal responsibility to nurture them, develop their skill set, and reward them accordingly.

• Investing in your staff to keep them up to date with sales techniques and business procedures will keep them inspired, and enable them to provide exceptional customer service.
• People that feel valued in their position in a retail business will be your biggest brand advocate – and will organically bring not just theirs, but their friends’ and families’ to business to you.

Final thoughts:

Think: omni-channel, omni-channel, omni-channel – in fact let it be your new mantra! Every digital touch-point provides another route into your physical store location/s.

Put in place a corporate mission that is more imaginative than just profits – and remember minor adjustments to your strategy don’t increase footfall… major innovations do. Ask yourself if you want to be an innovator or early adopter in your industry, or will you forever be chasing the competition?

In 20 years’ time, as a society, do we want to look back and wish that we had saved our high streets and not missed our window of opportunity? During the pandemic, one of the key changes in the retail sector was that consumers went back to shopping locally due to travel restrictions and, in doing so, rediscovered their local shopping areas.

Recent sales and footfall data shows that consumers are enjoying shopping in physical stores as online spending has fallen, especially when compared to 2020-2021. Many consumers are also seeking a sustainable way to shop at local independent retailers, second hand stores and charity shops.

We take a broad interpretation of ‘local’ to reflect diversity of cities and locations – local may mean your high street, main street, city centre or indeed the local parade of shops on your urbanisation. Birmingham itself has a thriving independent retail sector and there is even a campaign called Independents Day UK (in July) that aims to support and promote independent retail.

Thinking collectively and working together

How do we ensure continued success for our high streets? In order for our local shopping areas to survive we are going to need to think collectively and work together as consumers, retailers, local councils and national governments – it may also mean different solutions for different areas.

Some ideas that we can consider are firstly, empty shops do not look welcoming in any area – so what could we have instead? Discounts and support for start-ups would attract innovators and entrepreneurs to the local area. The vast majority of our biggest brands started small many years ago, but where is the next M&S, Tesco or Superdry? Support for small businesses would attract new consumers and make empty spaces look vibrant.

Secondly, it is not just about retail. Local areas are about communities and allowing people to meet up and socialise – a mix of services, cafes and community spaces to allow people to gather. We often talk about Third Places or places where people can gather and hang out and become and home-away-from-home – where there may be a retail element, eating/drinking options and expand this to include community spaces such as exhibitions by local artists etc. By creating an experience – consumers are more likely to visit the venue.

Being ‘Instagramable’ is key

Thirdly, how to attract young consumers? Newport has tried to bring in younger consumers by offering a mixed-use space and Europe’s biggest indoor market regeneration with a mix of street food, independent retail and workspaces. Being ‘Instagramable’ is a key trend right now and ensuring that the local retail and service offerings are thinking about social media opportunities then consumers will be keen to try and share on social media. We should be mindful, amid the cost-of-living crisis, of how people can still visit the local area but that venues are not expensive. Again, we return to the theme of mixed-use spaces – for example, allowing local community groups to take over spaces.

Lastly, as consumers work more from home, national retailers that would usually be in city centres are considering opening outlets in local areas. For example, John Lewis is considering opening “shops-in-shops” or mini John Lewis’ in Waitrose. Well-known brand names will attract consumers to a local area and offer a convenient shopping experience.

In years to come, many of us will fondly remember the high streets of decades past with their vibrant supportive communities, and in times of crisis we need our communities. We owe it to ourselves as consumers, our communities, society and our future to fall back in love and stay in love with our local high street.

If you’re on Instagram, why not follow Footwear Today for the latest news and updates?! Find us @footweartodaymag

This is according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which showed that sales “partially” recovered from a revised fall of 1.1 per cent in July.

Warmer weather in August encouraged shoppers back on to the high street, meaning that online shopping dwindled. Non-store retailers reported a 1.3 per cent fall in sales volumes following a 1.9 per cent rise in July – again, thanks to poor weather.

However, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, pointed out that white goods and other big-ticket items continued to take a hit as households spent more cautiously.

Senior ONS Statistician, Heather Bovill, said: “Retail recovered a little from the large fall seen in July, driven by a partial bounce back in food and a strong month for clothing, though sales overall remain subdued.

“These were partially offset by internet sales, which dropped slightly as some people returned to shopping in person following a very wet July. Fuel sales also fell, with increased prices hitting demand.”

Earlier today (Friday), market research firm GfK said its measure of consumer confidence was the highest since January last year.

Overall, the value of spending continues to climb above pre-pandemic levels, while volumes have fallen, as consumers are spending more money for fewer items in their baskets.

Compared with data from February 2020, total retail sales were 17.3 per cent higher in value terms but volumes were 1.5 per cent lower, the ONS reported.

Ms Dickinson added: “Returning consumer confidence helped retail sales regain lost ground after a challenging July. The next few months are vital for retailers as they gear up for the all-important Christmas trading.”

Footwear Today Live returned to the National Conference Centre (NCC) in Birmingham last week.

The two-day show welcomed over 300 footwear retailers from all across the UK for yet another successful buying event for the upcoming SS24 season.

There were 136 brands on display with all their latest trends, materials and designs. This indicates the impressive growth of Footwear Today Live, as the event occupied nearly the whole of the NCC, taking over nine rooms across two levels, whereas this time last year it was just one room!

As the publisher of Footwear Today magazine, the leading title for the footwear industry, the show is the perfect opportunity for independent and multiple footwear retailers to meet with their favourite brands, see new ranges for upcoming seasons, and hopefully make new contacts for the future. It really is the perfect mix of both brands and retailers under one roof – providing not just plenty of networking opportunities but an all-new buying location in a manageable and friendly environment.

The event also included a complimentary lunch, plus refreshments, for all visitors and exhibitors, which went down very well on both days, and was no doubt part of the appeal to pay a visit!

Charlotte Steadman, Event Manager for Footwear Today Live, said: “I am so pleased that the show was another huge success! We had many more visitors than our previous editions, thanks in part to the increased size of the show with more brands in attendance than before.

“We’ve already had some fantastic feedback on this September edition, with a lot of comments about the convenience of the venue, and the fact that the event is growing so fast with such a huge variety of brands on display.

“I’m excited to now start making plans for when the show returns in February! And I’m pleased to report that quite a few brands have already signed up to exhibit again, so I hope to see you all back at the show next year!”

If you’d like to find out more about Footwear Today Live or to book your brand space for the February show, contact Charlotte on csteadman@datateam.co.uk or visit the event website.

Partner of the show:

View the latest edition of Footwear Today here – or on your mobile device

On with the show!

Welcome to the latest edition of Footwear Today! A special bumper issue that includes your show guide for the upcoming Footwear Today Live show! It’s got information about all the exhibiting brands and floorplans to highlight where they’re all located.

The venue for the event on 3 and 4 September is back at the National Conference Centre (NCC) in Birmingham, but such is the growth of the show since the February edition, it now occupies nine rooms across two levels with over 130 brands in attendance!

And to think that this time last year we were only just launching Footwear Today Live and there were only around 31 brands exhibiting! This just shows the appetite within the industry for a whole new kind of buying show – one where independent and multiple footwear retailers can really get up close and personal with their favourite brands in a more intimate atmosphere. Footwear Today Live offers plenty of networking opportunities so attendees can catch up with industry friends, but also make new contacts for new future opportunities. There’s such a friendly and inviting atmosphere around the show that creates a more relaxed way to do business.

So I ask you, if you haven’t already registered to attend the show next month, then what are you waiting for? There’s more information and the all-important registration link here: www.footwearstockrooms.co.uk.

Also in this issue, we’ve got a special interview marking the 25th anniversary of El Naturalista and I chat to Partner and Design and Innovation Director, Patxi Sota, about the company’s early days, his own origins in philosophy and politics and how creativity and technology are charting a new future for the brand.

There are also features with Jana, Tamaris and Marco Tozzi where they talk about their plans for the 2024 Spring/Summer season and the collections we’ll see with exciting new materials and colours, plus new technologies for added comfort.

Jack Cheeseman – Editor – Footwear Today

jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk

Tel: 01622 699120

www.footweartoday.co.uk

Twitter: @FootwearToday

Instagram: @footweartodaymag