FROM THE EDITOR
Make it a December to remember!
So that’s nearly it for another year! The countdown to Christmas is on! High streets are busier than ever as consumers rush around buying last-minute gifts and new party outfits. Yet there’s been a lot of speculation over the past few weeks and months about how the retail sector will actually fare this festive season…
Sales growth remained sluggish in November despite Black Friday deals, as shoppers continued to rein in spending on non- essential items, said the British Retail Consortium. This added to the warning we also saw from fashion retailer Quiz about concerns over discretionary spending up to and over Christmas. Experts suggest that retailers are facing headwinds in 2024 and that the Government risks driving up the cost of doing business on the high street, which would likely be passed on to consumers in the form of higher shelf prices. As a result, only those retailers at the very top of their game will retain or grow share of the consumer wallet. With so much going on right now, companies might need to redefine their appeal to stay relevant to a shifting consumer appetite. So why not go bonkers this Christmas?! Throw up some lights and decorations, do fancy dress, offer fun free gifts to your customers, host some special festive instore events for your local community, get some mulled wine on the go, blast out some Christmas music on a big speaker… Make it a December to remember! After all, the rule book sort of goes out the window at this time of year!
Whatever you do and however you spend it, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year in 2024! Catch you on the other side!
Jack Cheeseman Editor Footwear Today
jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk • +44 (0)1622 699120
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EDITOR: Jack Cheeseman
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Footwear Today: ISSN: 1475-8601
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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2023
4 FOOTWEAR NEWS 8 BFA NEWS 10 ADVERTORIAL: MEPHISTO 12 BRAND INTERVIEW: PIKOLINOS 16 BRAND INTERVIEW: GEOX 20 EDITOR’S CHOICE: LADIES’ TRAINERS & CASUAL SHOES 24 EDITOR’S CHOICE: MEN’S TRAINERS & CASUAL SHOES 26 EDITOR’S CHOICE: CHILDREN’S TRAINERS & CASUAL SHOES 28 INDEPENDENT FOOTWEAR RETAILER OF THE MONTH 32 SHOPFLOOR: PEAK SEASON 34 SHOPFLOOR: SHAPING ONLINE RETAIL CULTURE 36 BEST SELLERS 38 FASHION LAW
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