Comfort-Driven Casuals Dominate Sales at High-End Women’s Retailers – Footwear News

What’s selling in the women’s fashion market this week? Here, four key retailers weigh in on winning brands and top trends and talk about what’s not moving.

Coclico: “There’s an interesting craftsman aesthetic to the Spanish brand that our [shopper] identifies with. It resonates with my out-of-town consumers since It’s a brand they don’t see everywhere. There’s a good comfort level and they’re well made.”

Dolce Vita: “We have a younger college student that gravitates to the brand. The more casual styling is right on trend. The wedges have been a big hit for us.”

On Running: “The aesthetic draws the eye. We don’t have a lot of competition from athletic vendors or running stores here, so when tourists are looking for something to walk around in, they go straight to the [brand]. We sell more than 200 pairs a month.”

Top Trends: “The espadrille business was particularly strong this year, the strongest I’ve seen in a long time.  For espadrilles, it was Castaner’s collaboration with Missoni that was well received. And, any kind of flat was good.”

Hot Take: “The sneaker business continues to drive just about everything. We’re doing well with P448. It’s from Italy and a competitor to Golden Goose, but at a better price point. I’m seeing interest in trainers that are fashion-oriented, such as a new fashion sneaker from Tretorn with a slimmer profile.“

Officine Creative: “Style, price and fit. We do well with both boots and sandals.“

Fauzian Jeunesse: “They’re mostly short boots, some with a little bit of a heel.”

Mara Bini: “Moccasins with leather soles or versions that half leather and rubber. They’re done in crocodile prints and smooth leathers, and some we designed ourselves.”

Top Trends: “We sell boots year-round, both shoe boots and above-the-ankle styles. I also believe in platforms. And, we’re selling tennis shoes that are [unique] such as Puma’s collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld.”

Not Selling: “Heels are dead, particularly skinny stilettos.”

Hot Take: “I’ve never seen retail so brutal, but we’re doing pretty well since I moved away from [popular] brands. I was one of the first to bring in Prada, Dolce, Valentino, Balenciaga, among others. I was also one of the first to drop them in 2008 after the crash. I saw the handwriting on the wall of over-distribution and these brands not allowing me to sell online. Also, the quality dropped and the prices went crazy. You used to be able to get them for $395, now they’re $700 or $800.”

C by Cholé: “It’s No. 1 for comfort. They have wedges and summer shoes with support that are not too flat. “

Marc Fisher: “There’s a lot of variations of low wedges, along with everyday walking shoes that are especially [popular] in New York.”

Top Trends: “Wedges and slides. People are looking for comfort.”

Not Selling: “Stilettos. We’re in the New York, which has a lot to do with it.”

Hot Take: “More wedges and comfortable slides. Something they can wear for every day.”

Birkenstock: “It’s across the board from young girls to women in their ’80s. I can’t keep them in stock — both the Arizona and Giza.”

Giove: “It’s a sneaker brand we bring in out of Italy, similar to Golden Goose but at $200 to $250. All of the Italian sneakers we bring in exclusively sell well.”

Ilse Jacobsen: “It’s all word-of-mouth. The Tulip slip-on casual is out of control. It’s comfortable and water-resistant.”

Top Trends: “Consumers are looking for comfort. Right now, it’s summer and people are going on vacation to Europe. They need a comfortable shoe to walk around that will go from afternoon to night.”

Not Selling: “This time of year, dress shoes and loafers.”

Hot Take: “If a style fits and is comfortable, customers come back and buy it in three other colors.”

The Best RunningShoes for Women

Source: Footwearnews.com

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