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indiE WatcH tHE big numbErComparative four-week periods (2012 v 2013) for the UK independent retail sector

AVERAGE MONTHLY TAkiNGs

-5.92%

AVERAGE NuMbER Of uNiTs sOLd

-11.66%

Data for July 29 to August 25, 2013, compared with the same period in 2012. Data provided by Top to Toe, fashion industry stock management and EPoS specialists (Top to Toe: 0845 130 3535)

PROfiT MARGiN

+2.71%90%sell-through of the Vans Authentic shoe at Skintrade on the Isle of Wight

16 Drapers / September 14 2013

Contemporary footwear What’s selling now?Nahid Asam, buyer, Gossip in King’s Lynn, Norfolk“Converse is always bringing out new styles. It is doing a sandal style called All Star Gladiator at £40, which is selling well. The brand is also doing a wedge style lace-up (All Star Hi-ness at £60), which is a strong seller. Henri Lloyd is doing a line of both canvas (£45) and leather boat shoes (£85) that are doing well. However, the canvas is more popular because people are still very price conscious.”

Melissa Needham, owner, Black Truffle in London“Esska is selling well, with the India in electric blue (£75) selling out at full price. I think the brand will be a strong seller this autumn. The shoes are comfortable and the new colours and finishes are great. Clarks Originals has a style named Serin Wedge (£79) that has also sold very well.”

Paul Tallett, owner, Cayman Reef in Coalville, Leicestershire“Boxfresh Switch in the high-top is clean but still detailed, not too busy. Boxfresh has a broad appeal, because the quality is bang on and we get a repeat customer season after season. K-Swiss is going through a resurgence. It used to oversaturate the market, but now lads are coming back because it isn’t everywhere.”

Malcolm Evans, manager, Signature in Aberdeen“Oliver Sweeney is selling well. It’s the quality of the product; we have a lot of repeat customers and once they are in a pair they tend to buy another. Hugo Boss also does well. It is such a commercial product. Its shoes are comfortable and again, we have repeat customers who like the quality and style.”

Alfie Hope, director, Jazz Clothing in Grimsby, South Humberside “The Vans Era (£49 to £65) and the Vans Authentic (£49) have been hugely popular. The Converse All Star Ox Low (£45) has been selling really well in the white. Converse high-tops (£50) were selling well over summer. The Toms Classic styles (£35) are still ticking over. There was a massive boom a couple of years ago and they are still selling well but are slowly tapering off.”

Sarah Holmes, co-owner, Skintrade in Newport, Isle of Wight“It’s all about the Vans Authentic (£47). Converse always sells well, especially the classics: the All Star Ox Low in white are the strong sellers (£45). We sold through our last delivery in 48 hours. The Nike SB Blazer (£75) is also selling well.”

Asif Patel, buyer, Dr. Kruger in Preston, Lancashire“Best-sellers have been the Adidas Gazelle OG trainer (£65), the Vanenburg trainer from Cruyff (£100) and the Converse All Star Ox Low. The Ox Low has been selling very strongly as a result of the warm weather.”

Jonny George, buyer/manager, Elements in Norwich“Jeffery-West is doing particularly well. The brand’s range of suede loafers has sold well over the hot summer. It’s on trend and it’s a good quality shoe at a good price. Paolo Vandini also sells well because it’s at a really good price point and very much on trend. It is our bread and butter shoe brand.”

Toms Classic

Oliver sweeney

Nike sb blazer

Esska india

k-swiss