Here's a great article about Spring 2008 shoe trends featured in
Footwear News.
Buyers Mixed on Spring ’08
By LINDSAY E. SAMMONJune 11, 2007
NEW YORK — Buyers attending last week’s three-day FFANY show reported varied reactions to spring ’08 trends — and some retailers are taking a more conservative approach to next season.
“We are cautious [about spring ’08] because [this year’s spring] sales have not been as strong as last year,” said Balram Jaggernauth, owner of Express Shoes in Wheaton, Md., which operates two stores and is opening a third. As a result, Jaggernauth said, he does not plan to buy as much as he did last spring. “Sales [this year] versus last year dropped so much, so that’s got you on edge. ... You don’t want to go out and buy a lot because you want to make sure you don’t have extra stock sitting there in the stock room.”
“In our seasonal business, we’re buying a lot tighter,” added Joe Wallace, VP of the women’s buying team at Payless ShoeSource.
Shanon Durney, manager and buyer of Robert’s Fine Shoes in Palm Desert, Calif., who was shopping for footwear delivery in mid-October, said she wasn’t necessarily cutting back, but had decided to stick with brands that consistently result in strong sell-throughs for her store, such as Stuart Weitzman. “I’m trying to be more cautious,” she said, “and staying with proven lines.”
Conversely, the lackluster spring ’07 season had not altered resort and spring ’08 buying plans for Nadine Levinson, of Nadine and David in New York. “You can’t hold back. You never know,” said Levinson. “I am always looking for something fabulous that someone is doing before anyone else [finds them].”
Marshall Green, owner of downtown Milwaukee haunt Red Heel, approached the show eager to buy, and by its second day, had already inked orders at Jeffrey Campbell and Naughty Monkey for women’s styles. Green said he was confident about business, noting that retailers can do well with smart marketing and a well-trained sales staff.
“People will always spend money,” Green said. “Whether they’re poor, middle-class or rich, it doesn’t matter. People will cut [back on spending] but not on shoes. Everybody needs them and wants to look good.”
Phil Wright, president of Vernon Powell Shoes, also had a confident outlook for next spring, considering the success he’s had with current spring merchandise.
“I’m upbeat,” Wright said. “Any independent retailer has to be an optimist. In our situation, we don’t try to drive the market. We schedule our product to come in as we anticipate consumer demand.”
On the trend front, retailers gave mixed reviews to the season’s new fashion direction. Buyers cited assorted styles (including ballet flats, jellies, square and rounded toes on fall and spring styles), perforated detailing and the varying heights of wedges and heels as options for customers.
“I think there is a lot of novelty in fabric, good mixing and matching of materials, and flats are still really big,” said Payless’ Wallace.
Jodi Farello, owner of Sole to Sole in Middletown, N.J., which sells women’s and children’s footwear, said she was pleasantly surprised about the product at the show. “When I was looking at the vendors that were going to be here, I was a little disappointed, but now that I’m here, I’m liking what I’m seeing,” said Farello, who was looking for back-to-school merchandise and women’s summer fill-ins.
Tommy Fahrner, men’s footwear merchandiser for Piperlime.com, was excited by the men’s trends at the show. “I’ve seen a lot of men’s patent,” said Fahrner. “It’s one of those things that you don’t take to right away, but now that I’m seeing it over and over, it could be strong.”
But other retailers weren’t as upbeat about the new trends.
Richard Kirschenbaum of The Shoe Box in Plainview, N.Y., was indeterminate about spring ’08 trends. “I have not seen enough. I can’t figure out the colors yet. I would like to see something fresh and new,” he said.
Sue Marfino, owner of ShoeFly in Buffalo, N.Y., who was looking for fall fill-ins and holiday styles, was also mildly disappointed with trends.
“There’s nothing with a ton of direction other than ballet flats, but I’m not sure how many people really need flats in fall,” said Marfino. “I don’t see any real innovation.” — With contributions from Meredith Derby, Barbara Schneider-Levy, Neil Weilheimer and Natalie Zmuda.
Andrea M. Pace proudly wears size 11 shoes. Get your Free Ultimate Shoe Guide Today at
Your Feet Make You Unique.Labels: Spring 2008
