News Archive
Tough five years ahead - new report
INDEPENDENT retailers have been told to prepare for a tough five years after a new report predicts footwear sales are expected to plummet by seven per cent.
The research, by Mintel, said the number of pairs bought annually in the UK is expected to drop to 216million pairs - with a definite shift away from cheaper, budget shoes.
A third of women questioned admitted they would pay more for quality shoes that will last - which researchers say should provide hope for the independents.
Researcher Katrin Magnussen said: 'I can't see an immediate demise of value shoes. The shoe wear market seems to be increasingly polarised; women are happy to pay extra for good quality shoes that last years, whilst at the same time they admit to being happy to buy value shoes that are discarded after each season."
INDEPENDENT retailers have been told to prepare for a tough five years after a new report predicts footwear sales are expected to plummet by seven per cent.
The research, by Mintel, said the number of pairs bought annually in the UK is expected to drop to 216million pairs - with a definite shift away from cheaper, budget shoes.
A third of women questioned admitted they would pay more for quality shoes that will last - which researchers say should provide hope for the independents.
Researcher Katrin Magnussen said: 'I can't see an immediate demise of value shoes. The shoe wear market seems to be increasingly polarised; women are happy to pay extra for good quality shoes that last years, whilst at the same time they admit to being happy to buy value shoes that are discarded after each season."
Luxury retailer in £95m buy-out
By Louise Cordell
LUXURY shoe retailer Kurt Geiger has changed hands in a £95m management buy-out, financed by Graphite Capital.
Kurt Geiger, which was voted 'Coolest Shoe Brand' by Vogue readers in 2007, sells its own brands, which include Kurt Geiger, KG and Carvela, as well as luxury ranges by designers such as Prada, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.
Retailers include top department stores including Harrods, Selfridges, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Liberty.
It also has 16 of its own stores, six airport outlets, international concessions in Printemps in France and La Rinascente in Italy and a range of licensing, wholesaling and franchising operations.
By Louise Cordell
LUXURY shoe retailer Kurt Geiger has changed hands in a £95m management buy-out, financed by Graphite Capital.
Kurt Geiger, which was voted 'Coolest Shoe Brand' by Vogue readers in 2007, sells its own brands, which include Kurt Geiger, KG and Carvela, as well as luxury ranges by designers such as Prada, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.
Retailers include top department stores including Harrods, Selfridges, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Liberty.
It also has 16 of its own stores, six airport outlets, international concessions in Printemps in France and La Rinascente in Italy and a range of licensing, wholesaling and franchising operations.
