Contact: Rob Sewell NEWS


Great Potential in Small Feet


If something is still in its infancy, then this is generally a sign that something is not yet fully developed. However, this time, the opposite is the case because shoe.com GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of the Wortmann Group in Detmold, sees immense growth potential, particularly in the children’s collection.


In January at the Expo Riva, visitors saw


a new-direction junior collection which received a great deal of recognition and consistently positive feedback. Work has subsequently been continued on the models for the Spring/Summer season 2021 and the result is a focused collection with outsoles, innovative material inserts and newly defined size ranges.


For example, many styles now start at


size 28 – styles which were previously only available from sizes 30 or 33. “For the new season, we have also added infants’ shoes to our range. We are offering retailers a total of four styles which will be available from size 20. The demand for shoes for the very young is great and we have now been able to close that gap in our collection”, said Heiko Hüdepohl, Managing Director of shoe.com.


For children, the focus is very clearly on


the theme of sportiness. Sneakers of all kinds define the image of the collection. The common denominator is a clean look which is peppered with practical details, such as Velcro fasteners or elastic laces.


On hot summer days, footbed-sandals


and hiking sandals should not be overlooked. For the girls, many models feature glitter, oily mirror material and playful applications. For the boys, the focus is on neon accents or the camouflage look.


The Wortmann Group, Detmold, is one of


the largest shoe production and distribution companies in Europe and is market leader for fashionable women shoes. The collections are available in over 70 countries and in more than 15,000 shoe stores worldwide.


6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • SEPTEMBER 2020


Family business Meeks Shoes re-opens in Stockport following surge of online sales during lockdown


Tel: 07774722757


Family-run footwear retailer Meeks Shoes has re- opened its Stockport store after receiving support from Barclays through the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). A plan is now in place to open the business’ four other stores over the next fortnight, ensuring the safety of staff and customers is prioritised.


The loan, worth £150,000, has been used to


cover rent, staff salaries and pay suppliers, as well as helping to support updates to the company’s website following a 200% increase in online sales during lockdown. The Stockport store gives customers an outlet to try on summer footwear before buying, as well as provide parents with the opportunity to browse the back-to-school range. Meeks Shoes is ensuring all staff wear the appropriate PPE, and that door staff, zoning and walkway systems mean social distancing will be safely managed.


Edward Meeks established Meeks Shoes in 1901


in Ashton-Under-Lyne and the business has remained in the family for four generations, with Edward’s great-grandson John now the owner and overseeing a total of five stores across Lancashire and Cheshire.


John Meeks, owner of Meeks Shoes, said: “We


are a family business and have been serving our community for almost 120 years. Our CBIL allowed us to focus on the future, helping us with our rent payments, as well as pay suppliers and staff. Even before the pandemic the retail industry had been grappling with rising rents and increased online competition. So, we’ve also used the lockdown period as an opportunity to update our website and our online takings there have trebled during this time, which has helped while our physical stores have been closed.


“We are now fully stocked and have all of the


latest ranges on display in the summer footwear and back-to-school sections of the shop. While Stockport is the first to open doors post- lockdown, we’re looking forward to welcoming customers in four other high street locations over the next few weeks.


“While we expect the next 12 months to be tough,


we’ve adjusted to all the social distancing measures necessary so stores remain safe for customers”.


(Read more about Meeks Shoes in Independent Footwear Retailer Of The Month on pages…of this issue).


www.footweartoday.co.uk


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