FROM THE EDITOR Ready and raring to go?
Welcome to the first edition of Footwear Today for 2026! A month into the new year already – where did that time go? I hope you all managed to have a restful and enjoyable Christmas period and you’re ready and raring to go as we kick-start the new show season!
We are just days away from Footwear
Today Live, which returns to the NCC in Birmingham on 1-2 February. We’ve got hundreds of leading footwear, fashion and accessories brands all showcasing their latest collections and they’ll be ready for you to put your orders in for the year ahead. It’s important to make the most of your visit. Every year so many of you turn up with pre-booked meetings and your action plans of who you want to see, and that’s the most efficient way to spend your time so you can maximise the opportunity to see all your favourite brands! And for this February edition we’re giving you extra browsing time, as the show opens at 8.30am on both days. Make sure you check out the show preview in this issue on pages 12-13 and pick up a show guide when you arrive. Also in this issue we are continuing to explore the Barefoot concept. It has simply exploded across the footwear industry and consumers are realising the comfort and health benefits that Barefoot-style shoes can offer. Of course, footwear retailers are a crucial part of the exploration process and need to offer customers the chance to look, touch and try on because that’s the best way they can learn about and experience this fascinating style of shoe!
Have a read of the article with Rob Sewell on page 26 to find out more about El Naturalista’s growing collection of Barefoot styles. And also in this issue we’ve got Peter Kaiser, Chatham, Golden Concept, Relife, and Pikolinos, as well as a look at more general footwear trends for 2026 and beyond.
Jack Cheeseman Editor, Footwear Today
jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk • 01622 699120
www.footweartoday.co.uk • Instagram: @footweartodaymag
EDITOR: Jack Cheeseman
jcheeseman@datateam.co.uk • 01622 699120
FASHION LAWYER: Stephen Sidkin
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PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Paul Ryder
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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2026
4 FOOTWEAR NEWS 8 BFA NEWS 10 REVIEW: EXPO RIVA SCHUH & GARDABAGS 12 PREVIEW: FOOTWEAR TODAY LIVE 14 PREVIEW: HARROGATE FASHION WEEK 16 PREVIEW: MICAM 20 BRAND FEATURE: PETER KAISER 22 BRAND FEATURE: CHATHAM 24 BRAND FEATURE: GOLDEN CONCEPT 26 BRAND FEATURE: EL NATURALISTA 28 BRAND FEATURE: RELIFE 30 BRAND FEATURE: PIKOLINOS 32 EDITOR’S CHOICE: LADIES’ CASUAL TRAINERS 38 EDITOR’S CHOICE: MEN’S CASUAL TRAINERS 42 EDITOR’S CHOICE: KIDS’ CASUAL TRAINERS 44 LUXURY FOOTWEAR IN 2026 46 FASHION LAW 48 SHOPFLOOR: FIRST IMPRESSIONS 50 SHOPFLOOR: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN RETAIL
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Footwear Today: ISSN: 1475-8601
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FEBRUARY 2026 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • 3
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