NEWS 25th Anniversary Of Marlow’s Fire Since 1985, the leading family-owned UK Distributors (Footwear) Limited -


formerly Marlows - has literally “risen from the ashes” - the entire stock and warehouse being totally destroyed, only the offices surviving. Within a matter of days stock levels were being replenished, and within ten days a new warehouse purchased. Over the following years the company maintained a steady growth, and


between 1990 and 1993 the warehouse was completely rebuilt and added to in 2009, meaning the building now has a square footage in excess of 160,000 feet over two levels, employing 70-80 staff (the warehouse destroyed in the fire being 37,000 sq feet). Today, the company is at the forefront of the footwear distribution


industry, consisting of a unique "weekly stock replenishment system", servicing both independent footwear retailers and corporate bodies throughout the UK, Europe and Middle East. In the last 15 years UKD has won numerous IFRA (Independent Footwear Retailer’s Association) awards relating to service and customer relations. Brands such as Grafters, Dr Martens, Timberland, Dunlop, Mod Comfy and Roamers being a main contributory factor to the company’s success, in


The Off-Price Show returns to Olympia After a season away from London, when the organisers of the Off-Price


Show launched the show in Warsaw, Poland, the market is gearing up for another exciting edition of the show in Olympia, London – on the 14th and 15th March 2010. The unique Off-Price Show has been established for 10 years in London and specialises in offering trade fashion buyers the best possible deals in footwear, clothing and accessories. What the show presents is either current season or past season, over-makes, clearance parcels and even cancelled orders - all at the lowest possible prices. Top names in both general fashion footwear such as Kidderminster Footwear, Wilfords and Kenyon’s mix with sports and casual footwear import specialists offering leading brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok to name a few. Also available at the last event were exciting top designer names such as Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, Chloe, Fendi, Prada. The Off-Price Show always offers unusual and exciting ranges, new and different each season. Suppliers trade in both small and large volumes, giving all types of


buyers, from small independent stores to large multiples, excellent opportunities to snap up deals not available anywhere else.


For further details and to obtain your free entry pass visit www.offpriceshow.co.uk


conjunction, of course, with the magnificent efforts of management and staff, past and present (the current Chairman – Derek Marlow – having been Managing Director at the time of the fire). To this day, the company – originally founded by Derek Marlow’s


grandfather in 1921 – continues to be family orientated, with Derek Marlow’s two sons and daughter playing significant roles within the company.


VAT windfall on gifts & samples Companies who use promotional samples to sell their products could be


in line for a VAT windfall after a European Court of Justice judgement on the UK’s rules on VAT for samples. Sian Beusch, Technical Associate Director, Baker Tilly, explains the


background to the case and implications for businesses. “Businesses who use promotional samples as sales tools across the music, drinks and retail industries have been given an early Christmas present thanks to the ECJ judgement.” “The ECJ has delivered its final judgement concerning whether the UK’s rules on the VAT treatment of gifts and samples is compatible with EU law. In short, the Court found that the UK VAT rules for gifts are largely compatible, whereas the rules for samples are not. “Under the UK rules, where a number of identical samples are given to the same person only the first sample is free from VAT. However, the ECJ found that all samples should be VAT-free provided the sample is a specimen of a product which is intended to promote sales and which allows the characteristics and qualities of that product to be assessed, without resulting in final consumption. “In light of this judgement the opportunity to recover VAT paid to HMRC


on samples over the last four years has been confirmed, and taxpayers distributing large volumes of samples should begin preparation of their claims immediately, if they have not already done so.”


Scotland’s Hottest New Shoe Design Talent


to stock The Rock Shop at The Eden Rock Hotel in the Caribbean island of St Barths. Emily Lamb said: “I’m thrilled to sign up my


Scotland’s hottest new shoe design talent, 23


year old Glaswegian Emily Lamb, may have only just formed her own company with the assistance of The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, but already she’s taken a significant stride to success with the launch of her spring/summer 2011 collection and the landing of a lucrative contract


8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010


first stockist – and a little surprised that my shoes will be available in the Caribbean before my native Glasgow! I got in touch with The Rock Shop when I saw that they were great with taking on new designers. We met up in London a week after my samples were ready and she ordered four different styles. It was so exciting for me!” Emily Lamb shoes are handmade in the UK by


craftsmen with many years of shoe making experience. The leather is from Venice. Her spring/summer 2011 collection comprises 11


styles featuring a colour palette extending from nude, emerald, red, dark brown and silver to pink. With her materials ranging from suede, patent and nappa, the collection offers a choice of both high (4.5”) and mid (2.5”) heel heights with each shoe having its own original feature, whether toe shape, pattern or stitching. Emily studied at Cordwainers with London


College of Fashion and, on graduation, went on to work for Emmy custom-made shoes before returning home to Glasgow to launch her first solo collection, Spring/Summer 2011.


Contact Emily Lamb on tel 07929 515729 www.footweartoday.co.uk


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