REVIEW
GEOX Mendi
The Kensington Shoe Event A/W 2010/11 - March 21-23
Best show for medium to high grade footwear
T
he Kensington Shoe Event closed its doors on March 23 on yet another successful show. Popular with footwear and fashion buyers, the three- day Event has become a premier show for medium-to-high quality footwear, but it still remains deliciously compact and customer-friendly. The KSE never fails to impress, with its fabulous ranges and
comfortable hotel setting, situated in the heart of prime central London. The timing of the Event, just after the major shows, allows buyers, namely boutique and independents, to have a clear mind on what to buy in a relaxed and informal environment. Given its sumptuous sofas and complimentary tea, coffee and pastries, it is little wonder that visitors keep coming back for more! The blend of ranges on offer was improved again at the March
Event with the introduction of GEOX, Pura Lopez, Fluchos and Divina, amongst others. Making its debut at The KSE this season, GEOX reported a hugely successful show for its Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collections. I met up with Ermes Stefanutto, Managing Director of GEOX UK & Ireland, and his team at the Event last month. Stefanutto commented: “We are extremely happy with the
attendance to the show and to the Geox stand. With it being our first appearance at The Kensington Event, we were delighted with the quality of the show and pleased that the show targeted the premium and higher end of the market which fits the Geox consumer. We were impressed with the positive reaction to the collection in particular the court shoe, wedge and boot styles. We also liked the upmarket location, in central London.” KSE was again very good for Caprice.
Footwear agent Stephen Joseph told Footwear Today: “We launched collection II and many of the customers who had ordered collection I came to look and order collection II. Mini wedge courts in 7 colours all soft leathers with "superflexible" "walking on air" was a huge success, as was the CapriTex collection.”
Peter Kaiser
March. Although this is a small show, we find that the buyers attending are there to place orders, not just look around as is often the case at other shows earlier in the season.” Howard Jones of Johnson Shoes Agencies, added: “This is only
our third showing at KSE but we had a much improved visitor flow and were able to talk to many more potential customers and open
some excellent new accounts UK footwear and fashion retailers attending KSE who are having to face rising prices due to the value of the pound, and are reluctant to pass on price increases to UK consumers, continue to put their trust in Peter Kaiser, the leading German brand. Rolf Buhr, Peter Kaiser’s UK Sales Executive told Footwear Today: “We have been writing orders throughout the three day show. Sunday was quiet but
Monday and Tuesday have been excellent for Peter Kaiser.” Martin Ward, exhibitor and co-organiser comments: “Retailers are very
focussed on getting exactly the right products and the correct balance of prices. The importance of the Sunday at the Show has somewhat diminished as customers take longer to decide on their purchases. Many exhibitors did lots of good business on the Tuesday!! My customers are now very used to the comfortable environment of The Kensington Shoe Event but it was pleasing to hear so many positive
comments from new visitors. “ Renato de Angelis, organiser and exhibitor, concluded: “Although this time there was a slightly lower attendance than expected, reflecting a trend
“We were delighted with the quality of the show and pleased that the show targeted the premium and higher end of the market.” Ermes Stefanutto, Managing Director of Geox UK & Ireland
Mark Watts of K Shoes also reported brisk trade: “The show was excellent
for us. We arrange everything there by appointment, which makes it much easier for our customers and ourselves. We wrote a record number of orders at the show, due partly to the fact that several retailers didn't go to Milan this time so came to KSE instead. We will be up by about 30% on pairage on a like for like basis against last year, which continues the trend of the previous fairs. “The fair is well established now and is the most important, from an
ordering point of view, in our season. Buyers love the relaxed atmosphere, the chance to exchange news and views with other retailers, and the opportunity to see a good cross section of medium to upper quality fashion footwear. It really is the best footwear show in the UK for retailers in this sector - it isn't the most glamorous, but certainly the best in terms of the merchandise on show.
I can only see it getting ever more popular with professional buyers. ” Footwear agent Peter Pearce was also very pleased with the quantity of
orders he took at the show: “Existing customers were generally placing bigger orders than last March and we took a lot of orders from customer who had not previously bought our winter collection, so overall we were well up on last
20 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• APRIL 2010
across the fairs of Europe, we once again had a good show. Most of the exhibitors seemed to be pleased with the results; all visitors were here to do business. With all the first rate footwear on show, at various price levels and looks, the customers were spoilt for choice, especially with regard to boots. Surprisingly the last day, Tuesday, which is normally the ”not so good day”, was much better than the usual in terms of orders being placed.” “From a personal perspective Nero Giardini and Pons Quintana,
two of my ranges, did well, especially Nero Giardini who performed exceptionally well throughout the range which includes quality boots, shoes and sporty yet elegant trainers. The unmistakable stylish and trendy look of this ladies and men’s brand, which is entirely made in Italy thus guaranteeing design and quality of the product, is well received by customers.
The brand is very successful in Italy, Spain and Belgium. It is only the 2nd
winter season in the UK, but from the number of emails I receive from the end consumers asking where they can buy Nero Giardini footwear I am predicting that it will have a bright future also over here. “
“The Kensington Shoe Event remains the best show in the sector of
medium to high grade footwear and has become more popular than ever. It offers a good cross section of the industry from Europe, is situated in a premium, central and easily accessible location and attracts not only shoe and fashion retailers but also department stores. On the whole I am pleased of the way that the KSE has developed and expanded in the last 10 years and succeeded where other shows have come and gone.”
The next Kensington Shoe Event will be held on
renatodeangelis@aol.com
Nero Giardini
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40