NEWS There are strong fears that many workers will leave the shoe factories
after the Chinese New Year – even some who have yet to be paid – and that it may take up to two months for their employers to find their replacements. In the outdoor shoe segment, some production came back to Europe last
year. Grisport and Mondeox, two Italian firms that get their uppers made in Romania, reported sales increases of 25 and 30%, respectively. They were partly aided by the heavy snowfalls throughout most of Europe in the last few months and by the fact that they could respond quickly to reorders. Managers of both companies expect further increases in 2011, but not in the same magnitude. In fact, numerous European brands are keeping their prices unchanged,
in an apparent bid to win market share. We have heard this from major brands such as Aigle, El Naturalista, Lumberjack and Puma. Bloch, the Australian brand of ballet shoes and ballerinas, indicated that it may even lower its prices, as it is contemplating moving the production from Thailand to China. A European importer of Dupe, the Brazilian brand of sandals, said it is charging lower prices because it is selling higher volumes.
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Ben Sherman appoint new representative in the UK and Eire
Ben Sherman Footwear license
holders, Hudson Shoe Company are pleased to announce that they have appointed Blue Sky Moda Sport Ltd to represent the brand in the UK and Eire selling to independent retailers starting January 1st 2011. Blue Sky Moda Sport Director, David Smith, comments: “We are really
Booming Expo Riva Schuh will now move into India
The economic recovery in many countries and shortages of merchandise
in the stores last autumn from factories in the Far East apparently combined to produce a 9.2% increase to 12,628 in the number of registered visitors at the big international Expo Riva Schuh show for the mainstream market in Riva del Garda, Italy, last Jan 15-18. The business climate was very positive at the fair, which hosted a total of
1,187 exhibitors – 69% from 38 countries outside Italy. The fair was fully booked with 31,635 sq. metres rented out. The Italian organisers, Riva del Garda Fierecongressi announced that the long-awaiting Expo Schuh India fair will take placed in Delhi this year on July 28-30. On the other hand, its former fair in the Middle East has been placed on standby. Targeting the booming domestic Indian market, which is said to be
growing by 18% a year, the new initiative in India was going to kick-start last July. However, it was suspended because the Italian organisers could not find a satisfactory agreement with their prospective Indian partners – partly because they wanted majority control and because they wanted to turn the show into a marketing exercise. For next July’s event, Riva del Garda is partnering with CRS Global, an
Indian company with excellent connections at the political and business level in the country. The initiative has received the blessing of India’s Council of Leather Exports, which has 2,400 members. Riva del Garda also announced that the Expo Riva Schuh show next June
will have a dedicated Indian pavilion, like the existing ones for China and Brazil. It was normal, considering that India is the world’s third- largest shoe producer, and that 110 Indian companies exhibit at the Italian fair regularly. Contrary to a report at the end of the last issue of Shoe Intelligence, the
autumn version of Modacalzado+Iberpiel will be help on Sept. 11-13, a little later than the Sept. 1-3 previously planned. The organisers said it was because they wanted it to fall between the big shows in Dusseldorf (Sept 7-9) and Milan (Sept 18-21), so that professionals from other continents could schedule Madrid into their travel plans. The next edition of the show is still scheduled for the recently changed dates of March 13-15 Correction Shoe Intelligence News, February:Daniel Footwear,
The British shoe retailer, has bought Rojo shoes, expanding its chain to a total of 25 stores.
www.shoeintelligence.com 6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY •MARCH 2011
looking forward to working with the Ben Sherman Footwear team led by Paul Humphrey. The market positioning of the brand is vital to its success and the new developments initiated for 2011 in terms of styling quality and pricing infrastructure is exciting. Our sales team have real belief that our targeted list of independent retailer’s will buy into the product first and foremost and of course everyone recognises that Ben Sherman is a genuine consumer brand with worldwide awareness – the perfect combination for success.” The Ben Sherman Footwear collection features semi formal and casual
styles, with their Gentleman’s club and Weekender ranges retailing from £45 up to £100.
All change for Jacobson footwear in Ireland
Jacobson Footwear has appointed footwear agency L 4 Leather as its
representative in Ireland. The change in representation comes following Kevin Cooke’s retirement from the footwear industry where he leaves a 50 year legacy. L 4 Leather is well respected in the footwear sector, holding a stable of
established brands. The agency, headed by John McHugh, will be represented by Damien Mahon who will carry Jacobson’s instock branded range which includes Odeon, Trueform, Manfield, Dunlop, Lonsdale and new high fashion brand Glitterati. Commenting on the changes, Tim Couchman, Jacobson Group sales
director said, “Not many people can say they’ve had as many years service in the footwear industry as Kevin. He’s been a loyal and valued member of the team and we wish him well in his retirement, many in the footwear industry will miss him greatly. Looking ahead, we’re delighted to have joined forces with L 4 Leather; their established position in the Irish footwear market will be of great benefit to Jacobson Footwear’s portfolio.”
For further information please contact:
Jacobson Group, Amy Young,
ayoung@jacobsongroup.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1706 212512
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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