NEWS
Tie-Tight Laces becomes exclusive distributor of Cherry Blossom premium range to the shoe repair trade
Cherry Blossom UK has signed an
agreement with Tie-Tight Laces, the well established distributor of a wide range of shoe care products and accessories to the shoe repair and shoe retail trade, giving them exclusivity for their comprehensive new Cherry Blossom Premium range. With over 30 years experience of supplying this sector of the trade and an enormous, loyal, customer base, it is a joint venture the two companies are relishing. Both companies share similar business philosophies. “We have always tried to offer a comprehensive range of high quality products sourced from UK manufacturers”, says Jeannette Phillpotts, Managing Director of Tie-Tight Laces. “Cherry Blossom is an iconic
brand and is now the only UK manufacturer of these types of shoe care products. We have worked with them to produce a fantastic range of products under the Cherry Blossom Premium label that will be attractive and relevant to our customers. This will provide them with extra regular turnover at excellent profit margins”. “All the shoe care items –
renovating and wax tin polishes, dubbin and regimental gloss polishes, renovating creams, scuff cover and sports whiteners with excellent coverage, a neutral leather cream, easy applicators and aerosol cleaners, protectors, leather stretch and a deodorant spray,
together with a suede and nubuck cleaning block, complete this extensive range – will be manufactured at the Cherry Blossom factory in Alfreton in Derbyshire. This means that our customers can benefit from ordering products when they need them, without having to order vast quantities, taking advantage of prompt delivery times and improving their stock control and cash flow”. “The Cherry Blossom Premium
range on offer is extensive – 26 different colours in renovating creams and 11 colours in renovating tin polish alone – and will enable our customers to select a product range calculated to appeal to the needs and tastes of their own particular clientele”. “Customers can also be provided
with attractive, modular merchandising units for both product and point-of-sale material tailored to the space available in store to capture attention and generate sales”, concludes Jeannette. Dave Watkins, Sales Director of
Cherry Blossom, comments: “This range has been designed
specifically and exclusively for the shoe repair sector of the trade. Cherry Blossom has seen sales increase by double digit volumes and the shoe repair trade is now in a position to benefit from the general public’s renewed interest in shoe care”.
The BFA announces industry-led Technical Training Course The British Footwear Association has recently announced the launch of
the BFA Foundation Course in Footwear Technology, an industry led initiative aimed at raising the profile and competencies of technical trainees. The programme commenced in August, and already a number of leading
employers have nominated trainees to participate in the 12-month course. Those who complete the course receive the BFA accredited Certificate.
Richard Kottler Chief Executive of the BFA commented “It is generally acknowledged that technical staff constitute the biggest skills shortage in the industry. Following consultation with the industry and with training organisations, the BFA decided that the only sure way to meet this crisis in competency was to introduce a course that would become the industry standard.”
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • SEPTEMBER 2010 Over 25 key footwear companies met under the chairmanship of the
BFA and hosted by SATRA. The result is an agreed syllabus for technical trainees and the selection of accredited training providers to manage the modules that companies may not have the resources to do themselves. Kottler went on to say “What makes this course unique is that it has been
put together by the industry itself, with input from training providers - and not the other way round. This has harnessed an incredible amount of enthusiasm from within the trade.” The BFA Foundation Course is targeted to the supply side of the industry
and to selected retailers looking to raise the skill levels of their buying and merchandising staff.
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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