NEWS


BFA News - Update from John Saunders, CEO, BFA


Retailers - Support your UK Footwear Trade Shows


“A trade fair (trade show, trade exhibition or expo) is an exhibition organized so that companies in a specific industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent market trends and opportunities”.


A well supported trade show


still provides the best vehicle for footwear brands, suppliers and retailers alike, to ensure they are able to present, prepare and plan their seasonal collections in a timely and considered manner.


Chatham announces William Fox-Pitt


as brand ambassador


British rider and eventing World No 1, William Fox-Pitt, signs as a brand ambassador for leading British footwear brand, Chatham. The official signing took place in May at Badminton Horse Trials, on Chatham Stand 17.


Bringing William Fox-Pitt on board further cements Chatham’s


commitment to the country market, as it continues to sponsor the Badminton Horse Trials, and to expand its country footwear collection.


The Chatham Country collection is designed to offer very British


style, for men and women, combined with traditional craftsmanship, quality, durability and performance.


‘Off course’, William Fox-Pitt is a big fan of Chatham, and as part


of his partnership with the brand will be relaxing in style and comfort as he wears some of this season’s styles from Chatham’s country and deck shoe ranges, including Buckingham and Deck G2.


Commenting on his role as Chatham brand ambassador, William


Fox-Pitt says, “I’m excited to be involved with Chatham, its country footwear is beautifully styled and incredibly comfortable, perfect for when I’m heading to events and when I’m at home.”


John Saunders Chief Executive of BF A


We all know what happens if we fail to prepare! Exhibitions give retailers a chance to compare well merchandised brands


and to confirm an understanding of trends, materials and colours all under one roof. Importantly, trade shows provide a chance to compare what’s on offer from your existing brands with potential new brands that could be the next big opportunity. Making your business stand out from the major competition has never been so important.


Footwear is still a very hands-on, tactile product – the different colours and


materials need to be seen and often need to be seen on the foot. The exhibition stand is usually the best place to get this level of service. Mistakes in buying are very costly – usually retailers do not have the benefit of returning them if they are not quite what was expected - unlike the consumer!


Exhibitions also offer a rare opportunity to meet with brand owners,


designers and directors - to discuss key business challenges with the people who make the final decisions. If used properly the exhibition stand can provide valuable neutral ground on which to discuss collections, plan promotions and agree a special deal that may not be on offer from your sales agent.


We are truly fortunate in the UK to still have some really professionally run and well edited footwear trade shows – MODA, PURE and Scoop to name but a few. Geographically they are all well placed too – with good access from all parts of the UK and Ireland to allow meetings to be completed in 1 or 2 days.


The shows are increasingly well supported by the leading UK and


international footwear brands and suppliers. However, the missing ingredient to make footwear shows a real success is often the retailers and the buyers. So my closing plea to the all retailers and buyers is to get out there and support your UK footwear trade shows – after all - and to paraphrase Joni Mitchell - you often do not know what you’ve got until its gone.


John Saunders Chief Executive


British Footwear Association. 4 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JUNE/JULY 2015 www.footweartoday.co.uk Philip Marsh, Managing Director of Chatham, says, “We’re


honoured to be associated with an athlete as high profile as William Fox-Pitt and are looking forward to working with him as we extend our country and equestrian reach across the UK.”


William Fox-Pitt adds to Chatham’s growing stable of


ambassadors, including young British sailing talent Sam Matson, British modern pentathlete Heather Fell and British powerboat champion Shelley Jory.


For more information, please visit: www.chatham.co.uk


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