Best Selling Ladies Shoes By Percentage In Hobson Shoes Retail and The Topics Raised
Hmm what does this tell us. Well the pattern of purchase over the last two weeks has been very heavily influenced by weather. Hunter wellington boots come in at number 9 over all just from that period. From memory on the 1st of December that is all Bawtry sold. Gabor takes top spot as it should. So strong is the brand in the upper middle price segment that as you can see it nearly takes one third of all sales in Newark Chain. Key factor here for Gabor is fit, reliability, longevity, and some very fitflops on trend styles. The Ecco figures are distorted by two key style groups good flat long boots and fur lined snow boots. Of course all the snow boots have sold out. Lotus would normally occupy first place based on key price alone. Not sure here possibly a better on trend style range is needed. Rieker takes fourth place when only offered in two stores. Basically it has become the main stay brand in Newark Middle Gate. It would be wrong to see Rieker as a budget brand now. Certainly they are now placing their offering in the same segment as Josef Seibel and where Gabor used to sit. Better quality finish and attention to detail would strengthen the range. Number five Josef Seibel is based upon the sales of one boot Palmira. We ahve repeated again and again with confidence on this style. Pity that a couple of extra colours were not added and maybe a Gore Tex version. Both FitFlop and Van Dal appear lower than I estimated here. FitFlop suffered from poor fit on the Super Boot range. Tried and tested styles such as Muk Luk still did well. Van Dal has just simply failed to impress. Sales have come from tried and trusted stock such as Edith and Rochester. Answer get a new designer and build at a higher spec. I think that of all ranges Van Dal may look over priced due to quality in hand issues.
Boots have really proved the winner this season full stop. This has played into the hands of better quality suppliers reliant upon design and point of difference. The customer appears prepared to still pay a premium for the fitflop main boot purchase of the season. Stocks of entry level eastern made product has sold through at a poorer rate than more expensive high grade boots. Turn over has risen slightly with the exception of the last two weeks. This is then based on a higher unit price sale of long and ankle boots. Shoe sales for ladies are down compared to boots. Over all units sold are then also slightly down. Remnant stock value is lower than at the same point last year again under lined by sales of higher value boot stock. Shoes may prove easier to clear at a price later in the season than would be the case for high value boots.
Verdict A better season so far based on quality ladies boot sales. Poor weather may influence margin and end stock levels if spring does not come early.
Issues flipflop australia Arising From The Top Ten Table
I am left with a feeling of disappointment with so many brands. Not enough people in retail are happy to publish a top ten but if they did I do not think it would differ so much brand against brand. Many times I have written about the strict terms of trade and method of operation of German brands with previous noted exceptions. At least however the German brands in question are able to point out that there product sells. None of the lower margin short on terms US brands figure here. Certainly on sell out if they had done they could have made 9 or 10 based on stock level bought forward. I think that basically the supposed World brands from the US have yet to understand the brown shoe ladies market in the UK. Still they demand very difficult terms of trade (exclude Rockport here for the moment) which can not be off set by sales (Did you get that Bob). New sales people and staff will help here. If real success is desired in the UK brown shoe sector your terms need to be better than Gabor not worse. In fact final message match Gabor with dated delivery (early delivery dated forward) better or the same terms, credit limit, discount for nil return, margin, repeats and depth of range and you have a winner.