Follow us

Menu
PARTNER WITH USFREE NEWSLETTER
VISIT TheIndustry.beauty

New footwear trade show SOLE FASHION to launch in 2020

Tom Bottomley
27 August 2019

A brand new UK footwear trade show called SOLE FASHION will launch at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 16 and 17 February 2020.

Leading brands such as Rieker, Remonte, Josef Seibel, Rohde, Romika, Tizian, Ara, Hush Puppies, HB Shoes, Lurchi by Salamander, plus represented brands including Rocket Dog and Crocs, are all backing the move.

The show is being organised by former Moda event director, Penny Robinson. She said: “Recent seasons have seen brands from all sectors of the fashion industry leaving the UK trade show format for one reason or another. Some leave to try alternative routes to market, but many still clearly value the opportunity to exhibit their full collections each season and have perhaps just been looking for a fresh approach.

“I feel the timing of SOLE FASHION is right, resulting in attracting brands recently absent from the trade show scene. From the brands committed so far, there does seem an eagerness to collaborate in order to create an event that addresses the current needs of the industry.”

Robinson believes that the cost-effective and clear pricing of stands will make the new show more accessible, attracting new and lapsed UK trade show exhibitors. It will be strongly focused on delivering the key retailers from the UK and Irish market.

Chris Gorrod, UK managing director of Brevitt Rieker Ltd, commented: “Businesses are always looking for alternative routes to market in these challenging trading conditions. However, nothing can replace an industry gathering each season where we can meet our customers and present our latest products to new and existing retailers.

“I am genuinely excited to be supporting SOLE FASHION with the Rieker and Remonte brands. I feel it addresses the current needs of the industry from both a supplier and retailer perspective, and a prestigious venue like the Ricoh Arena will provide an impressive new backdrop for our industry event.”

Josef Seibel UK managing director, Martin Ingram, added: “SOLE FASHION offers a great opportunity to refresh the industry's trade event and to create some excitement within the sector.

“The proposition of a new venue, a focused two-day format and most importantly, a viable return on investment, makes the event very interesting for us. We are delighted to be returning to the UK trade show format with Josef Seibel showing alongside Romika and Tizian.”

The Ericsson Hall at Ricoh Arena allows footwear brands to show all together in one space, whilst other areas within the complex give scope for expansion to accommodate apparel and accessories collections. The second edition of the new show will take place on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 August, 2020.

The news comes shortly after it was revealed that fashion and footwear trade exhibition Moda is relaunching its show at the NEC in Birmingham in February 2020, with a proposed improved show format and new shell scheme.

Free NewsletterVISIT TheIndustry.beauty
cross