PREVIEW: LONDON SHOE SHOW I
t’s all change for the next edition of the London Shoe Show on 10-11 September 2023 – still celebrating 25 years of the exhibition. It is relocating to the ILEC Conference Centre at the ibis London Earls Court.
“This amazing exhibition space allows us the opportunity to accommodate so many of the exhibitors we have had to turn down for the last Shows,” the organisers said, “and it is also much more of an exhibition space rather than an hotel suite. “The Copthorne Tara Hotel Kensington has been wonderful for 25 years, during which time the Show grew to 15 times its original size! However, we are now simply too big for that venue and we are really pleased to say that we have so many more brands wanting to be part of the London Shoe Show!”
The Show will continue to be a relaxed and intimate buying environment, and organisers report that they will continue to keep the costs manageable, fair and equitable for all exhibitors.
“The sun may be taking a while to arrive here in the UK, but we believe we have a true Summer feel in our collections and we have found that is certainly what has sold for occasion wear this year.
“The show is a total sell-out for exhibitors and most of our buyers have said that Micam in Milan is simply too late to order, therefore we expect the London Shoe Show to be the closing event for buying this year!”
New venue
The new venue at the ibis London Earls Court allows much greater space for working both on the stands and in the break-out areas. The hours of the show are suited to the buyers with no restrictions on when exhibitors and their buyers can visit each other.
Organisers added: “The industry is challenging but there continues to be amazing opportunities for the right brands, in the right stores of course. No one attending the London Shoe Show is buying in a herd mentality from algorithms – this show is about product, individuality and differentiation.
“The UK has become “magnolia” – shades of cream blending into each other – and consumers buy from
WHO
DOESN’T LOVE
COLOUR?
The theme of the next London Shoe Show is colour! And organisers tell Footwear Today that it’s all change for the September edition; it’s relocating to the ILEC Conference Centre at the ibis London Earls Court this September
inspiration and desire, and the London Shoe Show is all about inspiring collections that create desire.” On that note, HB Shoes has just launched its latest collections in Dublin and then in Belfast; and show organisers said it is clear the buyers want to differentiate their offerings from the multiple mainstreams – and the London Shoe Show does precisely that, the said. At the previous edition of the show back in February, premium European footwear brands showcased together affording the opportunity to differentiate the specialist retailer’s fashion offering. In addition, more price sensitive product allows mainstream retailers to offer value product from the world’s largest manufacturers. And there’s plans for more of the same this September.
The Children’s area was new in February, which allowed specialist children’s retailers the opportunity to buy differentiated, good margin shoes. Meanwhile, the increase in fashion awareness in comfort shoes has not been missed by the exhibition’s manufacturers; whilst trainers continue to be an essential part of the mix, more dress and fashion footwear is being demanded on the high street. And this was reflected at the Show.
The London Shoe Show returns on 10-11 September 2023 at a brand new venue – the ILEC Conference Centre at the ibis London Earls Court!
24 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • AUGUST 2023
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