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FEBRUARY 2010
Napapijri Footwear: new licensee from autumn/winter 2010
Hamm Market Solutions GmbH & Co. KG has acquired VF Int. Sagl as a licensee to market Napapijri brand women´s, men´s and kiddies´ footwear. With immediate effect, under the style Napapijri Footwear, Hamm takes over product development, production and marketing for the entire European area. The autumn/winter 2020 collection was presented for the first time at Premium in Berlin. Napapijri is a premium Italian brand in the sportswear segment. It originally comes from the outdoor apparel sector and is noted for the high authenticity of its products. The footwear collection is consistent with the umbrella brand?s philosophy and bears the stamp of Napapijri´s four key themes for the autumn/winter 2010 season: ?Air, Earth, Fire and Water?. It comprises casual leather boots, urban sneakers and outdoor boots totalling more than 80 different models. Authentic materials, leather and textile combinations plus washing effects and vintage-look finishes are used and underscore the character of Napapijri, inspired by originality, simplicity and a passion for travel. TheNapapijri footwear collection will first be sold by quality shoe stores in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries, then by authorized dealers and in Napapijri stores worldwide.
Modacalzado organizers optimistic
Despite the overlap of dates with the GDS in Dusseldorf, the organizers of the Spanish footwear and leather goods fair Modacalzado + Iberpiel are optimistic regarding their ability to attract the same number of exhibitors as for the previous event last September. From 11 to 13 March over 700 different brands are expected at the fair venue in Madrid.
Footwear from Baci & Abbracci
For the autumn/winter 2010/2011 season Baci & Abracci is to start retailing footwear made by shoe producer Uno. In the spring/summer season kiddies? shoes sourced from Imac will join the collection.
Micam alters autumn dates
The footwear fair in Milan has switched its dates from 15 to 18 September as originally planned, and instead will run from Sunday 19 September to Wednesday 22 September at the Milan show ground.
New branch forum for the leather and footwear industry in Pirmasens
With "Point of Shoes – International Fair for Fashion, Materials and Production" or "PoS" for short, the International Competence Center Pirmasens is creating a new branch forum for the leather and footwear industry. The event will make its debut on 14 and 15 April 2010 in Pirmasens. On display will be fashion materials and, less frequently, machinery too. In future the PoS will be staged twice yearly in the Pirmasens fair pavilions for one or at most two days each spring and autumn. Every two years the spring edition of Point of Shoes will be expanded by the addition of a machinery fair, the first being planned for spring 2011.
Lurchi makes a comeback
The Ara concern and the Wortmann group are intending jointly to resuscitate the Salamander brand. To that end they propose setting up a joint undertaking shared equally between the two companies to manufacture and market footwear from the Salamander brand portfolio, especially Salamander and Lurchi. This cooperative venture will not affect the Salamander group´s existing retail activities: these will continue to be run separately. Ara and Wortmann have been associated since 2000 via the a+w shoes (Jana) joint venture. Within the context of this cooperation women´s, men´s and kiddies´ footwear is to be marketed internationally. Lurchi kiddies´ footwear will mark the start of the brand relaunch in the coming autumn/winter 2010/2011 season. At intervals of one season each men´s footwear and a new women´s shoe collection will follow.
Lyle & Scott branching into footwear
For the spring/summer 2010 season Lyle & Scott is adding women´s and men´s footwear in three styles - boots, pumps and training shoes - to its Vintage collection.
Bags from Stuart Weitzman
Stuart Weizman is set to launch a collection of bags for the autumn/winter season 2010. The bags will be made by Mosaicon SpA, a subsidiary of Italian leather goods producer Antichi Pellettieri.
BBB fixes summer dates
Bread and Butter, the Berlin street wear fair, will again be staged this summer at the former Tempelhof airport from 7 to 9 July, one week later than last year.
Moda made in Italy – dates agreed
The Italian footwear producers´ association Anci has announced the dates for the next Moda made in Italy. It will run from 9 to 11 April at the MOC in Munich. Some 220 exhibitors are expected.
JANUARY 2010
BBB summer event arranged
The Berlin Bread & Butter streetwear fair will be held in the summer from 7 to 9 July, once again at the former Tempelhof airport.
Moda made in Italy - dates fixed
The Italian footwear producers´ association Anci has announced the dates for the next Moda made in Italy footwear fair. It is to run from 9 to 11 April at the MOC premises in Munich. Some 220 exhibitors are expected.
Astormüller Group still achieving growth
The Astormüller Group with its licensed brands Bugatti Shoes and Head Casual Footwear ended last year with a small sales increase following two successful years with growth of over 30% in each. The highlight for 2010 will be the Group?s venture into the female footwear segment with Bugatti Shoes Woman.
Lyle & Scott starting with footwear
For the spring/summer 2010 season Scottish label Lyle & Scott is proposing to add women´s and men´s footwear - a boot shoe, a pump (court shoe) and a training shoe - to its Vintage Collection.
Bags from Stuart Weitzman
American womens´ footwear brand Stuart Weizman is to launch a bag collection for the autumn/winter 2010 season. The bags will be produced by Mosaicon SpA, a subsidiary of Italian leather goods manufacturer Antichi Pellettieri.
DECEMBER 2009
New branch forum for the leather and footwear industry in Pirmasens
"Point of Shoes – International Fair for Fashion, Materials and Production" or "PoS" for short - is a new branch forum for the leather and footwear industry set up by the International Competence Center Pirmasens. The first event, displaying fashion materials and components, will be held on 14 and 15 April 2010 in Pirmasens. Machinery shows will be organized too, but at wider intervals. In future the PoS will run twice yearly in Pirmasens for one or at most two days in the municipal fair pavilions, once in spring and once in autumn.
New licensee for comma shoes
From the autumn/winter 2010 season onwards comma GmbH will be cooperating with Uli Hauer Pluslinks GmbH in producing and selling the comma shoes line. Shoe.com will in future concentrate on the highly successful s.Oliver Shoes licence.
Runners Point intends to open 40 stores
Running shoe specialist Runners Point is planning to inaugurate up to 40 new branches in the year ahead. Half of them will be own-managed, the balance franchises. At present Runners Point has just under 150 outlets and a payroll of 1400 employees. This year the firm is aiming to boost sales to about 135 million Euro.
1600 exhibitors at Micam
The Micam footwear fair organized by the Italian footwear producers´ association Anci will be staged at the Fiera Milano Rho venue in Milan from 2 to 5 March 2010. On a net exhibition space of 70 000 square metres close on 1600 brands, including 600 from abroad, will be displayed.
Garant seeks strategic partner for Pasito-Fricker AG
In support of its expansion plans, Garant Schuh & Mode AG, with some 60 specialized outlets in Switzerland, is seeking a strategic partner for its Swiss subsidiary Pasito-Fricker AG. Selling mainly footwear, Pasito-Fricker also offers luxury, fashion, family and bazaar grade apparel and accessories and sees appreciable potential for opening further outlets and achieving profitable growth in the German-speaking countries in the next few years.
Spanish debut for Deichmann
Next year Deichmann is to make a start in the Spanish market. The economic crisis in that country markedly simplifies expansion there. Currently Deichmann runs 3000 branches in 18 countries, and in 2010 plans to add a further 200 to 300.
1100 exhibitors at Expo Riva
Expo Riva Footwear will be inaugurating the new footwear season from 16 to 19 January 2010 in Riva del Garda. In the course of this 4-day event more than 1100 exhibitors, including some 60% from abroad, will showcase their creations on more than 32 000 square metres of net exhibition space.
A Helly Hansen first: lifestyle footwear
For spring 2010 Helly Hansen is introducing its first lifestyle footwear collection for men and women. Distribution in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium will be handled by USG Brands in Neuss. The collection comprises 15 styles of sneakers and boots.
NOVEMBER 2009
Anwr joins Swiss Shoe
Effective from 1 January 2010 the footwear activities of Swiss Shoe AG will be integrated into those of Sport 2000 Schweiz AG, which belongs to the anwr group. At one and the same time the footwear outlets will become members of anwr eG and partners of Sport 2000 Deutschland GmbH and so gain access to the anwr group´s entire spectrum of goods and services. Formed in 2005 from the Purchasing Association of Independent Footwear Dealers (EVUS), Swiss Shoe AG is one of the leading purchasing groups and service companies for independent footwear dealers in Switzerland. It has a membership of some 50 shoe shops.
New venture for K-Swiss: running shoes
For the spring/summer 2010 season American sports footwear producer K-Swiss is planning the first-time launch of a complete collection of running footwear for the German market. Previously the shoes were available only in USA, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
End of the line for the Pirmasens fair
The bankrupt Pirmasens Messegesellschaft MVP discontinued its business operations at the end of September and went into liquidation on 5 October. PLW – Leather & More, the specialist fair for shoe components, will nevertheless take place in spring 2010.
Rhode developing new winter footwear generation
Erich Rhode GmbH has successfully developed a special TPU sole unit which, in addition to the well-known favorable characteristics of TPU, combines low weight with good slipping resistance in both dry and wet conditions. A first patent application was submitted in readiness for the winter season 2010/2011 and the unit added to the Rhode collection. Tests by TÜV Rheinland showed the shock absorbing effect to equal that of an ultra-modern sports shoe, the company claims. Besides the prospective bonus of enhanced walking properties - including in bad weather - Rohde´s winter collection will be as much as 15 percent lighter than other brands.
The newly developed sole units are low-weight, non-slipping, resistant to hydrolysis, oil and chemicals, and have good tensile strength. They are therefore suitable for all kinds of high-specification footwear, including town shoes, casuals and especially winter boots. The combination of the latest generation of TPU materials with the special profiling of the soles achieves resistance to slipping closely approaching that of a rubber sole, the company promises.
Stuco takes over JMJ Jetter Schuh
On 1 August Stuco AG, with premises in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, took over the activities of bankrupted JMJ-Jetter Schuh GmbH & Co. KG, in Balingen-Engstatt. Stuco, which makes high-grade safety footwear, sees this take-over as a means to further strengthen its strategic position in Germany.
Sport 2000 launches new shoe store concept
The Sport 2000 group has opened a new store in Dresden for fashion-conscious, sports-enthusiast customers. The pilot store is focussed on life-style trends around the theme footwear. The first "S2 Street & Sport Shop" opened its doors on a 100-m2 site in the city´s just recently expanded Elbe Park. Besides a wide selection of currently fashionable footwear styles from leading manufacturers Adidas, Nike, Puma and Asics, the assortment will be joined by current trend brands according to market importance and season.
Timberland: first outlet store in Switzerland
Specialized footwear and outdoor apparel brand Timberland has opened its first outlet store in Switzerland in the Factory Outlet Center in Schönenwerd, close to the German frontier. From its roughly 150-m2 outlet site the US brand will in future be selling "outdoor-tested durable footwear, garments and accessories for women, men and children."
Stride Rite Corporation renamed
US footwear specialist Stride Rite Corporation has changed its name to Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group. With immediate effect this name is intended to stand for a wide range of outstanding sports and leisure footwear brands such as Keds, Sperry Top-Sider and Saucony. The kids´ footwear sector is consolidated under the name Stride Rite Children?s Group and among other brands includes Stride Rite, Robeez, Keds Kids, Saucony Kids and Sperry Top-Sider Kids. The aim is to further strengthen the firm?s brand positioning and market leadership, and take advantage of international growth opportunities. Moves affecting the European market have already been initiated.
HR Group awarded test seal for quality assurance
Following successful certification the HR Group, holding company of the footwear trading chain Reno, has received the "systematic quality assurance" test seal from the Hansecontrol testing institute in Hamburg. The seal is awarded to firms which comply with both the legal requirements and also with the specifications of their own quality policy, and allocate appropriate resources and processes for quality assurance. The HR Group was formed in 2005 by the merger of the two companies Hamm and Reno. The footwear trading chain Reno currently has 750 branches, of which about 100 operate on a franchise basis.
OCTOBER 2009
The Dusseldorf footwear fairs attract 28 500 visitors
The organizers of the Dusseldorf footwear fairs GDS and Global Shoes, which ran from 11 to 13 September, evinced satisfaction. Taken together the two fairs hosted a total of 1145 exhibitors from 42 countries. At the GDS there were 765 exhibitors. Global Shoes, with 380 exhibitors, had more than last time. The next GDS and Global Shoes fairs will take place from 12 till 14 March 2010.
Anwr will present Germany´s footwear index from 2010 onwards
With a new marketing concept anwr is set to impart fresh momentum to the footwear branch in 2010 and beyond. For the first time the index will include a bestseller list for the categories women´s, men´s and kids´ shoes. In each of these three categories the ten most frequently ordered styles will be presented. The campaign starts with the spring 2010 collection.
Joop shoe licence goes to Square Four
With effect from 1 September, Joop! GmbH has re-assigned its licences for leather shoes and accessories to private investors of the Square Four Investment Group in Frankfurt. In connection with this deal LAG GmbH has acquired the complete team of the former licensee EganaGoldpfeil which to date handled the accessories business for Joop. The Frankfurt investment group had earlier taken over the shoe producers Rohde and Sioux.
Reno awarded patent for kids´ shoe system
The German Patent and trademark Office in Munich has awarded Reno a patent for the 3E.kids´ shoe system, which was launched in 2007. As a first step Reno introduced its "Echtgrösse" (true size) concept in 2005, whereby the inside length of all kids´ is checked and the shoes are tagged with "Echtgrösse" labels. This was followed by the "Echtservice" (true service) scheme under which foot measuring devices were installed in all Reno branches. Finally, "Echtform" (true form) kids´ shoes were developed which allow not only for the size but also for the shape of a child´s foot.
s.Oliver Shoes pushes shop-in-shop concept
Following last year´s presentation of the new s.Oliver shop-in-shop concept, shoe.com, a member of the Wortmann Group, is continuing to expand. Currently there are 25 shop-in-shops, mainly in Germany, though shops have also been opened in neighboring countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria. The first Swiss shop opened in Zurich at the end of August.
Jello enters the Croatian market
The Jello Shoe Company, founded in 1989 as a subsidiary of Leder & Schuh International AG, has opened two stores in Croatia. It claims to already hold a leading market position in its specialist niche in Slovenia. Jello is therefore present in five European countries – besides Austria, also Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Germany.
Great Brands markets Gioseppo
Commercial agency Great Brands, Iphofen, is to represent the Gioseppo brand in Germany with immediate effect. Gioseppo S.L., headquartered in Elche, Spain, produces and markets young and fashion footwear under the Gioseppo and Gioseppo Kids labels. Complemented by accessories and jokey fashion items, the products are being backed up by lavish marketing launch at the POS.
Ara launches accessories range
Timed to coincide with the autumn/winter 2009 season, Ara Shoes AG is launching its own range of footbeds and foot measurement promotion. The company has awarded the licence to Schelchen GmbH and is thereby taking a further step towards customer service, brand reinforcement and customer retention.
The Ara collection in both women´s and men´s sizes will be presented for the first time at the GDS in September in Dusseldorf. Marketing starts in September 2009 in Germany, to be closely followed in major European countries. In the course of 2010 a total of 15 countries will take delivery of Ara accessories. Schelchen GmbH´s brand portfolio includes both Pedag International and Solos, in addition to the licensed Tamaris 4ever and various own brands.
ISC seminars : more in September
The International Shoe Competence Center Pirmasens GmbH (ISC Pirmasens) is a teaching and research center for the international leather and footwear industry and for the trade. Founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of the Testing and Research Institute Pirmasens (PFI), it was officially opened in June 2008. From September onwards a variety of seminars will again be on offer.
SEPTEMBER 2009
Nike and Adidas boycott Amazon leather
Sports goods manufacturers Nike and Adidas have announced that in future they will strictly avoid using leather from Amazon-area cattle in their products. Both companies have issued appropriate directives aimed, according to Nike, at "reducing the rate of deforestation attributable to grazing cattle herds". Nike said it would join a Greenpeace working group focussed on leather. This initiative is Nike´s response to criticism by Greenpeace. In early June the environmental organization published a report revealing the illegal production of cow-hide leather in the Amazon area for processing into footwear, among other items. Greenpeace claims Brazil´s cattle industry is responsible for 80% of the damage to the Amazon forest.
Adidas demands that its suppliers who buy cattle hides in Brazil take "effective measures" to protect the environment. Accordingly they may only purchase cattle from farms situated outside the Amazon forest besides conforming to the government´s rainforest protection regulations.
Galerie Lafayette opens the world?s largest footwear department
High-class department store Galerie Lafayette in Paris has opened the world?s biggest shoe department. On 3200 square meters of sales space France´s most renowned department store offers its mainly female customers 150 different footwear brands such as Giuseppe Zanotti, Nina Ricci or Michael Vivien. The official inauguration will take place in September.
Geox boosts sales
Footwear firm Geox, which is quoted on the Milan stock exchange, reports first half-year sales up 4 percent to 482.9 million Euro. Operating profit (Ebitda) increased slightly by 0.5 million Euro to 119.6 million Euro, while net profit fell from 78.6 to 64.6 million Euro. The firm´s main market, accounting for 36.2 percent of sales, is still Italy. The biggest export market is Germany. In the light of the sales orders placed in the first six months and of the encouraging start to the autumn/winter season, company founder Mario Moretti Polegato assumes sales in 2009 will reach the same level as in 2008.
Holster start-up in Germany
Australian footwear and accessories brand Holster intends to conquer the German market next year. The firm will start sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the 2010 summer collection, and is hoping to move on from its successes in England where in the last three years it claims to have gained more than 300 new customers. On offer are belts set with rock crystal and plastic sandals.
Navyboot : first shop in Germany
At the end of June Swiss footwear and bag brand Navyboot opened its first shop in Germany at Munich airport. Further openings are planned in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Berlin. A Navyboot Germany GmbH could materialize in the long term.
Shoe industry in figures
Volume 22 of this compilation for 2008/2009 - German title "Die Schuhwirtschaft in Zahlen" - has now appeared. On more than 100 full-page tables and diagrams it provides data on the German footwear industry, its development over the last ten years, details of imports (origin and prices, classified by shoe types) and exports (customer countries and prices), the market situation overall and for individual shoe types, plus prices and price indices for shoes. Also included are data on the footwear retail trade. The compilation costs 116.62 Euro and can be ordered from SchuMo GmbH in Offenbach, E-mail bund@hds-schuh.de, fax 069/812810.
Reno recycling system
Footwear chainstore operator Reno is seeking to draw attention to its concern for the environment with a recently introduced recycling system for old shoes. As of now, used shoes can be handed in at all Reno branches for recycling.
Columbia : first shop in Germany
American sportswear and footwear manufacturer Columbia Sportswear Company opened its first shop in Germany at the end of August. A 325 square meter store in Frankfurt´s MyZeil shopping center sells Columbia brand clothing and footwear besides those bearing the Sorel brand, which also belongs to the group.
Modacalzado reduces stand fees
Spanish footwear fair Modacalzado and the leather goods fair Iberpiel will take place from 24 to 26 September in Madrid. To stem the decline in exhibitor numbers that has marked the last few years both fairs have this year reduced by 20 percent the fees for stand space and arranged special rates at various Madrid hotels for exhibitors and visitors.
Adidas banking on second half-year
Adidas is feeling the weakening of consumption: in the second quarter Europe´s biggest sports goods producer earned markedly less than a year ago – but profit fell much less than expected. Operating results shrank 66 percent to 72 million Euro. Sales dipped 2.5 percent to 2.46 billion Euro. In both cases branch observers had forecast a more severe downturn. The bottom line for the group was a profit of nine million Euro, after 116 million Euro a year ago. In the second half-year the result will be significantly more encouraging than in the first, the group claimed. Adidas is hoping that the forthcoming world football championship in South Africa will provide the first positive stimulus.
Consumption downturn holds Puma back
Sports goods manufacturer Puma performed better in the second quarter than rival Adidas, but this is still no reason for the company to rejoice. Puma expects to really feel the downturn in the second half-year. In the last quarter currency-corrected sales were at last year?s level, 600 million Euro, although profit fell by close on 16 percent to 38.5 million Euro. But the subsidiary of the French luxury goods group PPR is still far from making a loss. "For the second half-year we assume we will make a clear profit", the head of Puma stated.
Germans bought fewer shoes in 2008
German citizens purchased fewer shoes last year : 4.48 pairs per head as against 4.66 in 2007. Sales by German manufacturers were down by 3.6 percent to 2.7 billion Euro. In the export sector, however, Germany´s footwear producers were markedly more successful : sales rose 10.9 percent to 156.4 million pairs. The number of factories increased to 56, and the workforce to 13 244, a rise of 3.8 percent.
Converse continues to grow
Since being taken over by sports goods group Nike in 2003, sneakers brand Converse has shown steady growth. In the financial year to 31 May the brand further increased sales by 12.6 percent to 915.5 million dollars. Back in 2002 sales brought in 205 million dollars.
JUNE 2009
Garant aiming for renewed growth
The Garant Group returned to growth in the financial year 2008. The number of specialist dealers rose by 26. Besides the one in Germany, the dealer organizations with the most members are those in Holland and France, followed by their counterparts in Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Poland. At the end of the last financial year 3 406 footwear, sports and leather goods dealers with a total of 5 100 outlets belonged to the Garant Group. Earnings reached 91.8 million Euro.
More than 1100 exhibitors at Expo Riva
More than 1100 exhibitors, including 740 from abroad, will be showcasing their new spring/summer 2010 and re-order collections from 6 to 9 June at the 72nd Expo Riva Fair on lake Garda. The fair premises in Riva del Garda provide a total exhibition area of over 32 000 square metres.
Leder & Schuh: sales up, profits down
In 2008 Leder & Schuh International AG (headquartered in Graz) earned 476 million Euro, an increase of 4.5 percent, with its brands Corti, Dominici, Humanic, Jello and Shoe4you. Operating results (Ebit), however, were down by five million Euro from 19.8 to 14.8 million Euro. In that year L&S entered the Rumanian and Swiss markets. At the date of the balance-sheet the Group was operating in nine countries (Austria, Germany, Poland, Rumania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary) via a network of 335 stores. For the first time more than half (52 percent) of the operating locations are outside Austria.
Iris acquires Jil Sander footwear licence
The footwear collection of fashion brand Jil Sander will in future be produced by Italian shoe manufacturer Iris. Both companies belong to the Gibò Group, the European branch of the Japanese fashion conglomerate Onward. The licence covers the worldwide rights to manufacture and market Jil Sander brand footwear for men and women, starting with the spring/summer 2010 collection.
John Baker starting in Germany
British footwear brand John Baker & Son is starting up in Germany, with a first shop in Cologne. With its roughly 100 square metres of floorspace the shop will sell welted shoes for women and men, besides accessories such as bags, belts and neckties. In the next four years 40 shops will be opened with franchise partners, mainly in big German cities.
Ferrari shoes for kids
Italian producer Mafrat will in future make and market Ferrari Junior brand shoes for kids. The company already produces Ferrari garments for kids.
Navyboot concentrates on footwear
Swiss fashion label Navyboot is concentrating once more on footwear and accessories. The sale of apparel will be discontinued. By focusing on essentials the new owner of Navyboot, Philippe Gaydoul, is preparing for expansion abroad. He bought the company with its 50 shops and sales worth more than 100 million Swiss francs last August and intends to make it a leading brand in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria and France. As a first step the number of shops is to be doubled. The first branches abroad are to be opened this year.
Marked sales boost for Nero Giardini
Italian footwear producer Nero Giardini increased sales last year by 20 percent to 185 million Euro. Currently the company has about 500 customers, runs 9 own-stores and 35 franchise shops. In the next six years it is hoped to increase the number of franchise shops to 300.
Square Four Investments takes over Sioux
Holding company Square Four Investments in Frankfurt, which a year ago became a co-investor in Rohde, is acquiring Sioux. Sioux was owned by the bankrupt company EganaGoldpfeil Accessories GmbH in Offenbach, which has 100 employees at its headquarters in Walheim and some 260 in its Portuguese subsidiary. The company turns out some 1.1 million pairs of shoes for men and women per year. Sales in 2008 totalled about 50 million Euro. Under the terms of the transaction Sioux will be retained as a complete entity. Square Four plans to keep Sioux and Rohde under separate management.
Geox boosts sales again
Footwear producer Geox, which is quoted on the Milan stock exchange, increased its sales in the first quarter 2009 by five percent to 384.2 million Euro. The operating results (Ebidta) were 124.9 million Euro, net profit at 72.4 million Euro was 9.6 percent down on last year. The group´s main market, accounting for 36 percent of sales, is still Italy. The biggest export market is Germany. Altogether the German-speaking area absorbs roughly one-fifth of total sales. At the end of March the number of Geox stores and shops worldwide was 953, 13 more than a year ago.
Wrangler starting with footwear
Jeans brand Wrangler will be introducing the first footwear collection of its own in readiness for the autumn/winter 2009/2010 season. All shoes will feature studs with an impressed "W". The typical Wrangler leather patch is affixed to the back of all shoes and boots. There are 26 styles for men and 5 for women. Each model will be available in different colours and materials.
MAY 2009
Shoes from Brunello Cucinelli
Italian fashion label Brunello Cucinelli is to enter the footwear market in autumn 2009, initially offering 13 styles for women and 10 for men. The core of the collection are boots and bootees.
Deichmann buys 13 Turbo Schuh branches
Austrian bank Bawag has sold 13 Turbo Schuh discount branches to Deichmann, nine of them in Austria and four in Slovenia. All will be run under the name Deichmann. The remaining 32 Turbo Schuh branches, most of them in Austria, are to be sold off by 2010. Following the sale of the discount branches the company will concentrate on the core business with Stiefelkönig stores and boutiques and its cooperative venture with Geox. Stiefelkönig is the master franchisee in Austria, Central Europe and southern Germany.
Deichmann expands in Great Britain
Deichmann is aiming for strong expansion in Great Britain with 10 openings planned for this year. To date the firm has 31 outlets, mainly in the country´s central and northern areas. In the long term Deichmann sees a potential of 400 stores.
Fashion Net Düsseldorf founded
The Düsseldorf fashion branch has set up "Fashion Net Düsseldorf e. V.", an association intended to strengthen the international competitiveness of Düsseldorf as a fashion center.
GDS announces dates for 2010
The Düsseldorf footwear fairs GDS and Global Shoes will be held from 12 to 14 March and from 10 to 12 September.
Leiser receives Micam Award
The Italian footwear manufacturers´ association Anci conferred the Micam Award on the Leiser Handelsgesellschaft mbH at the Footwear Fair in Milan. The award honours companies which attach importance to "Made in Italy" shoe fashion.
Exports up in 2008
German footwear exports to Russia totalled 5.1 million pairs in 2008, 11.1 percent higher than in the previous year.
I.L.M. Winter Styles 2009 in Offenbach
On 22 March the 130th International Leather Goods Fair I.L.M. Winter closed its doors. The 3-day event was gratifyingly positive and over-all exceeded the exhibitors´ expectations. 215 firms from 14 countries showcased their fashionable leather accessories for the coming autumn/winter season. For all segments on offer interest in the latest innovations was strong. The 2010 I.L.M. fairs will be held in spring from 19 to 21 March, and in autumn from 23 to 26 September.
APRIL 2009
Geox launches golf shoe collection
Italian footwear producer Geox has brought out its first collection for golfers. The shoes are made of full-grain leather which has been rendered water-repellent by a pretreatment in the course of tanning. The new Geox Net System patented sports footwear technology means that the wearer´s feet will stay clean and dry even under difficult playing conditions. The sole area consists largely of a mesh backed by the breathable, water-impermeable Geox membrane to prevent moisture or dirt particles from penetrating into the shoe interior.
Course on leather technology
Once again, from 20 to 24 April, the Lederinstitut Gerberschule (Leather Institute Tanning School) in Reutlingen is to run a course on leather technology aimed at processors, dealers and retail traders. The purpose is primarily to give new entrants a comprehensive overview of the basics of leather production and to familiarize them in detail with the properties and uses of the various types of leather. Since the institute has its own tannery equipped to modern standards, all phases of leather making can be demonstrated in actual production. Moving on from the fundamentals the assessment of all types of leather can be examined fully with reference to an extensive collection of samples. The course will close with a presentation of all modern methods of leather testing.
Euro Brand Management takes over Startas? marketing
Marketing agency Euro Brand Management is assuming sales responsibility in the German-speaking area for Croatian cult brand Startas. The brand?s sneakers were originally developed in 1976 for table-tennis players and manufactured by Borovo in Vukovar, Croatia. Following the outbreak of war in 1991 the shoe factory was severely damaged. Seventeen years later the brand celebrated its comeback with a new, contemporary redesign. The autumn/winter 2009/2010 collection launches three lines of footwear.
Rohde investor poised to buy up Sioux
Footwear producer Sioux will shortly be acquired by holding company Square Four Investments. Sioux is an independent firm and is not affected by the bankruptcy of the parent company EganaGoldpfeil.
Chiemsee planning Germany-wide chain of stores
By 2010 there are to be eight Chiemsee stores in Germany. The brand will also carry on selling its sports garments via specialized dealers as hitherto. The first Chiemsee store opened in March in Frankfurt, the second will be inaugurated in the autumn in Essen, and the third is already planned for Berlin.
New permanent exhibition: shoes of the world
The 15 000 items making up the footwear collection in the Shoe Section of the German Leather Museum (DLM) in Offenbach are currently being re-arranged. The department for overseas footwear will be the first to open, on March 29. New exhibits include a number of shoes, boots, slippers and sandals previously kept in storage. The concept includes the presentation of traditional shoemaking and selected items for daily or representational use such as garments and saddlery.
Gabor acquires Snipe brand rights
Gabor Shoes AG has acquired the worldwide rights to Spanish shoe brand Snipe. The Spanish market is excluded from the deal. The designer brand range comprises women?s and men?s shoes. The brand´s relaunch is planned for spring/autumn 2010, but sales to specialized dealers will start in August 2009. With Snipe, Gabor is looking to satisfy the growing consumer demand for authentic, environmentally natural products with a puristic collection statement. Snipe is a Spanish designer label characterized not least by a clear model statement. The brand philosophy will adhere to the label´s Spanish roots.
McLaren shoes now also in Germany
The Euro Brand Management marketing agency is adding the McLaren and McLaren Sport formula 1 footwear brands to its portfolio. Its market entry in the German-speaking countries will involve more than 100 models from the two lines. The luxury models are made of high quality leather and feature innovative shock-absorbing soles.
Running Order Show, round 2
The Running Order Show on 28 and 29 June in Munich will be two days shorter than in the debut year 2008. Stand space has been doubled from 12 to 24 square metres. The plan is to integrate all three halls of the Munich Order Center (MOC) to create a maximum of 56 stands. Over and above that many brands have a permanent showroom in the MOC, and can hence be incorporated into the event. The fair caters for all forms of running as a sport.
Hugo Boss: fashion and footwear for children
Fashion group Hugo Boss intends to bring its first children´s collection to market this year. The relevant license is to be awarded to French company C.W.F. Children´s Worldwide Fashion, which specializes in children´s wear. The range will also include shoes and accessories. The first Boss Kidswear collection will be unveiled in Florence in the summer.
Footwear technical college comes to ISC
The day before the GDS, the process of integrating the German Footwear Technical Institute (DSF) into the International Shoe Competence Center (ISC) started. The first day of tuition was 12 March. Students can now be well trained for entering the labor market in line with present-day industrial needs. At present there are 24 students at the college, divided into two classes, and they will complete their training as state-qualified footwear technicians specialized in either design technology or production engineering. An important point will be that the courses will in future also be available in English.
MARCH 2009
Runners Point seeks franchise partners
Sports footwear specialist Runners Point Warenhandelsgesellschaft mbH (Trading Company Ltd.) is set to embark on a franchising system. With 100 outlets of its own, the company is looking to acquire from 5 to 15 partners to begin with, but this number could rise to 200 – 300 in the long term. A shop-in-shop scheme will also be on offer to the specialist retail trade. Only Runners Point footwear will be available. In addition the company has scheduled a gradual expansion of its business abroad. For 2009 it plans to enlarge its leisure footwear sector in collaboration with its subsidiary Sidestep.
Tom Tailor awards new licence for kids´ shoes
Lifestyle company Tom Tailor has awarded a new licence for kids´ footwear. The licence was signed with Supremo Shoes & Boots Trading Company and will run initially for 5 years. The new kids´ collection will be launched in readiness for the autumn/winter 2009 season and was introduced to the trade for the first time at the Expo Riva footwear fair. An experienced kids´ footwear specialist, Supremo is one of the leading suppliers in the national and international specialist footwear trade, and will enable Tom Tailor to offer better quality kids´ footwear and an optimum price-performance ratio in future.
Bread & Butter back in Berlin
The Bread & Butter fashion fair is returning to Berlin, where it will occupy the closed-down Tempelhof Airport as new premises. Specialized in streetwear and younger fashion, the fair will be staged for the first time in the hangars from 1 to 3 July. A spokesman announced that the fair will be organized half-yearly, occupying an exhibition area of not less than 60 000 square meters. The show in Barcelona attracted 80 000 specialist visitors. For the Berlin event the spokesman expected even more and reckoned on hosting 800 to 900 exhibitors.
Visitor numbers slightly down for Expo Riva
For the Italian footwear fair in Riva del Garda, held from 17 to 20 January, visitor numbers were down by about two percent to 11 014, 58.7% of these coming from abroad. Despite that, buyers are optimistic as regards the new ordering round. A total of 1100 exhibitors showcased their collections for the upcoming autumn/winter season as well as their repeat order collections for spring/summer.
Intersport buys an interest in Sabu
Intersport Deutschland eG, the world´s largest association of independent sports goods dealers, and footwear group Sabu Schuh-Verbund eG have finalized a wide-ranging cooperation agreement. The agreement will strengthen the competitivity of both bodies´ members, who will continue to operate fully independently in their respective markets.
Good atmosphere at Ispo
Ispo, the world´s largest sports goods fair, was held for the 69th time from 1 to 4 February in Munich´s new exhibition premises. Despite a strike by the Munich Public Transport Company (MVG) in excess of 60 000 specialist visitors from more than 100 countries (2008 : 64 000 visitors) turned up to view the latest trends for the winter season 2009/2010, presented by 1950 exhibitors (2008: 2026) from 50 countries on the total 185 000 square meters of exhibition space available. Exhibitors and visitors were favorably impressed and fully satisfied by the fair.
Slight increase for Aeffe
The footwear and leather goods arm of Italian luxury goods group Aeffe increased its sales in 2008 by 1.2 percent to 75.4 million Euro. Group members are the brands Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Pollini and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Baldessarini starting with footwear
Baldessarini GmbH is to round off its line of fashion goods with a footwear collection to be produced and marketed in cooperation with the Inca/Mallorca-based Zimmermann Shoe Group. The collection will be officially unveiled at the GDS in Dusseldorf from 13 to 15 March.
Deichmann aims for growth despite the crisis
The Essen-based Deichmann Group continued to grow in 2008 and has announced it intends to adopt a proactive strategy in the current economic crisis. In the current year the group as a whole will be investing 165 million Euro, first and foremost in opening 284 new branches, the biggest expansion in the Group´s history to date. In 2008, for the first time, the group earned more than half (50.7%) of its turnover abroad. In Germany the group increased sales by 2.2 percent to 1.54 billion Euro. The number of branches rose from 52 to 1159 (including 83 Roland Schuhe, plus elf). Deichmann intends to achieve further expansion, primarily abroad. In 2008 the first stores were opened in Italy and Lithuania. For 2009 Bulgaria is on the expansion list, then the group as a whole will be operating in 19 countries. The next candidate is Spain in 2010. In the current year Deichmann will be opening a new logistics center in Slovakia. In 2009 Deichmann intends to carry on expanding, and in Germany is set to modernize 103 stores, open 55 new ones and relocate 20.
Fossil unveils first women´s footwear collection
At the GDS in Dusseldorf, accessories producer Fossil is for the first time presenting a footwear collection for women. Following the launch of a collection for men last autumn, the women´s line comes as a logical adjunct to the Fossil brand as a comprehensive lifestyle brand.
Wolverine earnings up
American footwear manufacturer Wolverine World Wide increased its sales in 2008 by 1.8 percent to 1.2 billion dollars. Members of the group include the brands Merrell, Cat Footwear, Sebago, Hush Puppies and Patagonia.
Further sales rise for Tod´s
Italian luxury footwear producer Tod´s increased its sales in 2008 by 7.7 percent to 707.5 million Euro in currency-adjusted terms. Strongest growth was posted by the Hogan brand, recording an increase of almost 40 million to 238.7 million Euro.
Timberland: sales down, profit up
In 2008 sales by The Timberland Company dropped 5 percent to 1.36 billion dollars. This was paralleled by a 7.5 percent profit hike to 43 million dollars.
Mican exhibitor numbers equal last year´s
A total of 1611 exhibitors, 572 of them from abroad (roughly 50 fewer than last year) will be presenting their collections at Micam from 4 to 7 March on 72 000 square meters of floorspace at the Rho exhibition center in Milan. Absentees this year are mainly a few smaller producers. The quality of the exhibitors has improved. Internationality has been accentuated and stricter criteria applied to exhibitor selection.
Anatomic & Co. launches women´s footwear
Brazilian men´s footwear producer Anatomic & Co. is also offering women´s footwear for the first time for the autumn/winter season 2009/2010. The collection is of the same high standard as the men´s and features the Anatomic Gel Technology. The collection will be presented at Micam in Milan and at GDS in Dusseldorf. Founded more than 2 decades ago, the brand made its European debut four years ago. Now it is present in over 60 countries.
FEBRUARY 2009
Emu to launch women´s wear
Australian footwear brand Emu intends to start with women´s wear made from Australian merino wool and sheepskin for the autumn/winter season. The product range will comprise coarse-count knitgoods, outerwear and accessories.
Groupe Royer takes over Charles Jourdan
French footwear firm Groupe Royer has bought up the bankrupt French shoe manufacturer Charles Jourdan for 2.4 million Euro. Groupe Royer acquires the marketing rights in France, seven stores and one factory, plus share options for Charles Jourdan Holding AG in Switzerland, owner of the international marketing rights. The first Charles Jourdan collection is to be available in time for the spring/summer 2010 season.
EganaGoldpfeil: Comtesse bag brand sold
Bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated regarding the assets of EganaGoldpfeil Accessories GmbH. The Comtesse business has been sold. The employees in Germany and Japan have been taken over by the new owner, thereby ensuring the long-term continuity of the Comtesse luxury brand in both countries.
Wortmann ups advertising budget
Against the general trend within the European markets, i.e. anticyclically, Detmold-based Wortmann Group is increasing this year´s advertising budget for its Tamaris brand by more than five million Euro. As a result, the Tamaris advertising budget is the biggest of all Germany´s footwear producers. Wortmann sees this increase as a further step towards a liftstyle brand. Besides further reinforcement of the German market, Wortmann intends investing especially in the international markets.
Skechers venturing into kiddies´ wear
American footwear manufacturer Skechers USA intends in future to clothe kiddies from head to foot. A contract to that effect has been finalized with the New York-based clothing consortium Adjmi Apparel Group. Under its terms the licensee will design and market Skechers brand fashion collections for boys and girls aged twelve months and upwards. These collections will hit the market for the first time in autumn 2009. According to Skechers the collections will be available from department stores, specialized dealers and on-line suppliers who also sell footwear from the Skecher Kids line.
Modacalzado brings dates forward
Spanish footwear and leather goods fair Modacalzado + Iberpiel has changed its dates and will now run three days earlier from 17 until 19 March. Because the fair takes place only two days after the GDS in Düsseldorf, the organizers are hoping for additional buyers from Asia and South America. A further innovation at the next fair will be the gathering together of all exhibition sections in four halls. A total of 500 firms from Spain and abroad are expected to display their products to 14 000 specialist visitors.
Ispo rescheduled for 2010
Following discussions with the exhibitors, Ispo Winter 2010 is to be staged from 7 till 10 February and thus one week later in the fair calendar. The Snow Sports Tradeshow sponsored by Snow Sports Industries America (SIA) will take place for the first time from 28 to 31 January 2010 in Denver.
I.L.M.: same participant numbers as last year
The new fashion in bags for autumn/winter 2009/2010 is the focus of the International Leather Goods Fair (I.L.M.) featuring Winter Styles to be staged in Offenbach from 20 until 22 March. Around 210 exhibitors from Germany and abroad will be represented at this season-opener for fashion leather accessories and bags. The fair program covers the latest fashion bag collections in addition to new trend collections of small leather goods, travel and leisure bags, items for business and school use, umbrellas, gloves, belts and miscellaneous fashion accessories.
Footwear from Kris van Assche
Belgian designer Kris van Assche, head designer for the Dior Homme brand, is bringing out his own footwear collection for the autumn/winter 2009/2010 season. The collection, to be produced by Italian manufacturer Manifattura Ferrarese, will total 30 men?s footwear styles to begin with.
Tom Tailor founds own footwear division
Hamburg fashion company Tom Tailor is expanding its product divisions by one for footwear, which will be run initially as an independent label within the firm. The launch is planned for the autumn/winter 2009/2010 season. To begin with there will be two collections per year for women and men. Later on further collections for young adults will be added to complement the young-fashion line Tom Tailor Denim Male and Female.
New name and dates for Polish footwear fair
This year BTS, the footwear, leather and leather goods fair organized in Poznan, has been renamed, rescheduled and reorganized. The new BTS will be divided into the segments Trend – displaying footwear, leather apparel and accessories - and Tech – focussed on leather, machinery and components. It will run this spring from 9 to 11 March (Monday to Wednesday).
JANUARY 2009
Holy Group takes over Joop!
The Holy Fashion Group has taken over the Joop! shares of Egana Goldpfeil Europe (Holdings). Egana Goldpfeil remains a partner for the realms of watches, jewellery, leather, accessories and shoes. The Holy Fashion Group who already owns the brands Strellson and Windsor will invest longterm. The German label was founded 1987.
New Sales-Manager for K-Swiss
John Nielsen is the new Country Sales Manager for K-Swiss. He is responsible for "Footwear" and "Apparel" in Germany and Austria. The 42year old Dane replaces Uwe Schäfer who joined MBT last summer. Nielsen´s last post was General Manager of the EMU Ridge Europe GmbH.
Art launches Online-Shop
The young spanish shoe brand "Art" has launched his own Online-Shop at the beginning of December. Customers now can order all models of the latest collection directly online (www.the-art-company.com).
Brooksfield with Shoes
The italian sportswear-label Brookfields has granted shoe producer Unique a licence which is valid for 5 years. The licence includes the production and distribution of men´s and children´s shoes. They will also launch leather accessories in the near future.
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