Nashville-based Genesco Inc. is watching to see if its success at teen-focused Journeys shoe stores will carry over to a spin-off store that targets a slightly older customer, women in their 20s to mid-30s looking for trendy shoes and willing to pay a little higher price than at Journeys.

The concept, called Shi by Journeys, opened on the second floor of the Cool Springs mall last November. It's the only Shi outlet open for business so far, although more are probably on the way.

Its launch puts Genesco alongside other companies experimenting with a slightly older demographic than the retail world's much-loved American teenager. American Eagle Outfitters Inc., for instance, plans a new chain targeting the 25- to 40-year-old crowd with denim, casual clothes and sportswear.

Abercrombie & Fitch is testing a new concept called Ruehl for 22- to 30-year-old shoppers. Gap Inc. plans to open more than 30 Forth & Towne stores by 2007, focusing on the 35-and-up female customer.

Genesco executives are trying to keep the loyalty of the suburban teen Journeys customer as she grows up. Raised on casual clothiers such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Buckle, she gets a little older and is "forced into a department store," said James Estepa, Genesco's senior vice president of retail.

The brands at Shi are similar to those at Journeys — Puma, Converse and Diesel.

Part of Journeys' success has been correctly predicting the popularity of fashionable athletic shoes. A pair of pink Pumas with a gold stripe is more about the look than about a track meet.

But the Shi customer has presumably matured beyond skateboard shoes, which are nowhere to be seen in the new store.

Shoe Shortages

Shoe prices may rocket and there could be shortages in the shops by next autumn say top retailers such as Tesco and Marks & Spencer. Last summer the High Street was plunged into a ‘bra wars' crisis when trade limits were slapped on imports of lingerie and jumpers. Now similar uncertainty over footwear could spread similar chaos.

Lobbying by southern European countries against imports of shoes from China and Vietnam has led the European Union to consider an anti – dumping tax to penalise exporters who sell goods cheaper abroad than in their home markets. Kevin Hawkins, director general of the BRC, said “Valuable lessons should have been learned from the textile dispute in the summer. The industry would be better served by promoting free access to all markets and not seeking to build higher barriers. If duties are imposed on products, consumers will pick up the bill.” China and Vietnam account for 43 per cent of Britain's £5.5bn footwear market.

"Reebopper" Shoe

As part of Reebok's "I Am What I Am Campaign", this Reebok Reebopper attempts to cash in on 80s mania and that edgy sensibility the artist was known for. Scott Kobayashi - whose cool new blog Kobayashi5.com is on my daily hitlist - is of the mind that Reebok flubbed because these days, a sneaker's street cred is derived from the street/graffiti scene - not from chi chi fine art. True, the man's dead which always helps matters when it comes to cultural appropriation & success in the marketplace, but I agree with Scott that having a "living legend" from the graffiti scene - such as Zephyr or Doze Green - would have made more sense. RBKCustom.com via Kobayashi5.com

- Lesley Scott

Jimmy Choo forges ahead

The luxury shoe and accessories emporium founded by Tamara Mellon is forging ahead at a fast pace. After originally having focused on growth within the UK and the US, it is finally turning its attention to Continental Europe, where Jimmy Choo has opened a boutique in Paris.

Chief executive Robert Bensoussan told WWD that the company is planning brand diversification. A lingerie collection is in the planning, as well as beauty products and eyewear, which are being considered “midterm” development projects.
“(Jimmy Choo) is perceived not as a shoe brand, but more like a sexy brand,” said Bensoussan. “It's our moment. We're on a roll. We still have a long way to grow.”

With the opening of the Paris boutique, on the exclusive Avenue Montaigne, the total number of freestanding Jimmy Choo stores amounts to 31. The new boutique is the smallest of the chain and is expected to generate €2 million (£1.37 million) in sales in the first year. “If this works, very quickly we will open a second and possibly a third store in Paris,” said Bensoussan.

Presently, the firm wholesales to a small amount of French stores. Bensoussan expects that the boutique will mainly attract international clients.
The very first sales point in Continental Europe was a boutique in Milan, which opened a year and a half ago. Last week the firm opened a store in Madrid. Jimmy Choo looks set to achieve its target of 50 stores by 2008. Bensoussan also indicated that major distribution deals are in the pipeline for Japan and India.

Stores will open in Washington DC and Bangkok before the end of the year. Next year there will be store openings in San Francisco, Boston, Hawaii, Qatar, Jakarta, Abu Dhabi, Las Vegas and Dubai.

Since being purchased by private equity firm Hicks Muse a year ago, Jimmy Choo is set to realise a sales increase of 35 percent and a 50 percent growth in operating profits in 2005, said Bensoussan. Total sales for the year are expected to reach £50 million. Handbags, which were introduced in 2003, account for more than 15 percent of sales.

www.jimmychoo.com
23 November 2005

Australian Shoe Fair

Australian Shoe Fair is Australia’s newest independent trade fair for the footwear industry. The inaugural fair in February 2006 will be held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour and will boast over 100 Exhibitors and anticipates attendance by more than 2000 footwear retailers. The Australian Shoe Fair will will also be held in Melbourne in August. The Australian Shoe Fair will become an annual event and was developed as a result of demand from suppliers and industry stakeholders for a high quality, industry operated and truly independent footwear fair for the Australian market. The Australian Shoe Fair is strictly a trade only event and is not open to the public. The event enjoys the support of Major Media Partner Footwear News Australia as well as the major retail buying groups.

Australian shoe fair from : Friday 17 February 2006 10am-5pm, Saturday 18 February 2006 10am-5pm , Sunday 19 February 2006 10am-4pm at Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

For further information contact the Organiser Australian Exhibitions & Conferences Pty Ltd
Tel + 613 9654 7773
Email shoe@aec.net.au

China:Oct 23-25, 2006 Shanghai shoe show

Messe Dusseldorf China Ltd and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd to launch 2006 Shanghai China Shoes, China Shoetec at Shanghai Exhibition Centre from October 23-25, 2006. It will focus emphasizes both domestic and foreign market, and focus on middle-to

-high end products and trendy branded shoes. The newly Shanghai show continues to receive overwhelming response from both trade associations and renowned overseas brand names. Hong Kong Footwear Association and Taiwan Footwear Manufacturers Association have confirmed to organize their pavilions. Portugal Pavilion, which was the first time to join Dongguan China Shoes.
China Shoetec in April 2005 has also expressed great interest at the show. Besides, Betta (Hong Kong), Hugo Score (Hong Kong) and Pura Lopez (Spain) also confirm to participate. To tide in with the classic style of Shanghai Exhibition Centre, specialized halls will be set up. Middle-to-high end fashion, trendy and brand shoes will be showcased in "Modern Hall". Fashion show will be held concurrently. "International Basic Hall" will display various types of shoes and "Trend Walk" will be held there with 3 sessions: "China Fashion" to demonstrate Chinese folk tradition from the three-cun golden lotus shoes (tiny shoes for bound feet), craft shoes, folk custom shoes to today's fashion shoes; "World Fashion" to showcase world's top design footwear including the latest shoe design displayed in GDS; "Design World" to display distinctive and extraordinary shoe design from winner products of Hong Kong Footwear Design Competition and products from Hong Kong Shoes and Bags Designers' Association. The organizers appoint Shanghai International Merchandising Center Company Ltd (IMC) as one of the official supporters on business matching. IMC is an international sourcing promotion organization approved by Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Its development target is to consummate services functions, create excellent environment, build centralized domino effect and dedicate to the construction of Shanghai International Merchandising. Moreover, the organizers will conduct the market survey and study in major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen etc) and invite buyers from department stores, shopping centers, chain shops and agents to sourcing in the show. To tie in with the good response of exhibitors, the organizers, Messe Dusseldorf China Ltd. and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd also activate the campaign of buyers' promotion (including on-line free registration and special hotel room rate etc) to attend the 2006 Shanghai China Shoes. China Shoetec. The show will occupy the exhibition area of 15,000 sqm with over 300 exhibitors and is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors.