NEWS She currently supplies Start-rite shoes, Kickers, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada,
Garvalin and Biomechanics. She also has a range of soft leather pram shoes for the non walkers. Karen explains: “Despite having received training in children’s shoe fitting
many years ago, this was for just one brand and I didn’t want to set up a business supplying children’s shoes if I didn’t know how to fit different brands correctly. I know the differences in shoe manufacture and wanted to have a wider knowledge of shoe fitting.” So, she researched shoe fitting training courses and stumbled upon the
SSF and having had some communication with Laura West, who was quick to respond, knowledgeable and helpful, she booked straight onto the 5 month intensive course. “I wanted to train with SSF because it's recognised by families living here and the opportunities they offer for training are 1st class. The SSF’s course itself has been created really well. It offers all the information you need yet encourages you to research around the subject too to increase your knowledge. The information makes for easy reading and engaging, as text can quite often be a challenge to remain interested in.” What Karen liked most about the SSF course is that the tutors are
allocated to students depending on their requirements, business and interest - and Laura West, had picked up on her preference, without her realising it: “My tutor, Maureen Unsworth, being the expert in children’s shoe fitting,
was brilliant in every way, always there for help should I need it and a font of useful information. I know there are other tutors that specialise in other areas of shoe fitting and foot health, which I’m sure are also brilliant, it was just a nice touch to work with a tutor who specialises in the area of my particular interest.”
She also enjoyed the workshops, held at the Society of Chiropodists &
Podiatrists in London and the D.B. Footwear factory in Rushden, Northamptonshire : “There was lots of information packed into these days, but so very useful, I don’t know how anyone would not be interested to attend, as the hints and tips that you glean from the tutors onsite, as well as my peers was priceless! No matter how many manuals and websites you read there is no substitute.” Karen concludes: “Without the SSF course I would still be limited to one
brand and one thought process of fitting. Now, I know about many different shoe gauges, I also know that the gauge is just a guide and nothing can be substituted for a trained shoe fitter actually fitting the shoes to the specific feet and treating every fitting as individual. I’ve absorbed so much information about the shoe manufacturer process, and also all the handy hints and tips given by the tutors at the workshops on the shoe retail industry as a whole. “I would certainly recommend the SSF course to others,” she says. The full course that Karen took cost £550 (no VAT as the Society of Shoe Fitters is a 'not-for-profit' organization). All tuition, workshops, course materials and lunches at workshops are included. A £50 goodwill discount is offered for multiple bookings, existing member’s shops and members of IFRA.
Further information: SSF Secretary, Laura West, Tel: +44 (0)1953-851171
www.shoefitters-uk.org
Expo Riva Schuh India: the second edition closes with 3,795 visitors (up 16.2%)
The second edition of Expo Riva Schuh India closes with success: 3,795
dealers (up 16.2% over the first edition of July 2011) toured the footwear, bags, gloves, belts, and leather accessories of 168 Indian and international exhibitors, 5-7 July 2012 at the Pragati Maidan exhibition centre in New Delhi.
“The new date, which was moved up to early July for this edition, has “We are very pleased with this result, which rewards our efforts and that
of our Indian and Italian partners,” says Riva del Garda Fierecongressi President, Roberto Pellegrini. ”We have created a unique economic and entrepreneurial event, a truly international show entirely dedicated to finished products in the footwear and leather goods sectors, the first of its kind in India.”
Business, services, and new contacts: these are the keywords of an event which asserted itself immediately and which has now further consolidated its role as a leader in forging contacts and accessing business opportunities on the Indian market. Not just a fair, the event also provides services and development opportunities through technical seminars and tours of local shopping malls and companies aimed at offering a complete business platform to get to know and penetrate the Indian market.
Expo Riva Schuh India is organised by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi
through the Indian company, Italian Exposition Private Limited, which was established in July 2011 and is headquartered in New Delhi. This second edition showcases production from leading Asian countries (China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) as well as the offerings of select Italian and European brands, with representatives from Italy, the UK, and Austria.
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • AUGUST 2012
meant a stronger showing of Indian buyers,” adds Carla Costa, Head of the Fair Area of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “This is a factor which greatly contributed to the increase in the number of fair visitors. Many exhibitors have also pointed out a trend - also emerging among Indian retailers - of using the event to preview collections before the season starts. Yet one more affirmation that moving up the fair date was the right decision.”
There was a strong presence of international buyers interested in good
quality Asian products at the right price point. Among the leading areas of origin of buyers, noteworthy are Central and South America, with major retail chains in Peru, Chile, and other Central American countries; there was also a significant presence of buyers from European and international chains like André, Bata, Galeries Lafayette, Inditex Group, Landmark Group, & Park Lane Shoes.
The presence of retailers as well as distributors from different parts of
India represented a strategic advantage for Indian exhibitors at Expo Riva Schuh India; it also demonstrates how the event provides a unique meeting point for the widest possible cross-section of industry dealers.
The next edition of the Expo Riva Schuh India, 4-6 July 2013 in New Delhi.
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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