The top players in the footwear sector were recognised in a stunning awards ceremony last night at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Read on to find out who picked up an award…
The 19th February marked the sixth anniversary of annual awards programme the Footwear Industry Awards. Designed to recognise the top footwear brands, retailers and individuals of the past 12 months, the awards are a stunning awards event attended by hundreds of key members of the footwear trade.
After the conclusion of a dynamic first day at the Moda Footwear show, brand teams and retailers got suited and booted and headed over to the National Conference Centre, just five minutes down the road, for a well deserved celebration. After enjoying a glamorous cocktail reception, sponsored by Cherry Blossom, guests proceeded into the ballroom for the first of the awards presentation. The Footwear Industry Award brand categories recognise footwear brands which have shown creativity, innovation and general excellence over the past 12 months. Guests then enjoyed a sumptuous three course dinner, with the retailer and individual awards following after the meal. The Footwear Industry Awards retailer categories are designed to recognise excellence in both independent and multiple footwear retailers.
The winners for 2017 are…
Men’s Footwear Brand of the Year
Highly Commended: Rieker
Winner: Anatomic
Ladies’ Footwear Brand of the Year
Highly Commended: Skechers
Winner: Rieker – Winner
Children’s Footwear Brand of the Year
Highly Commended: Clarks
Winner: Ricosta
Outdoor Footwear Brand of the Year
Winner: Cotswold
Joint Highly Commended: Legero
Joint Highly Commended: Waldlaufer
–
Comfort/Wellness Footwear Brand of the Year
Winner: DB Shoes
Highly Commended: Skechers
Fashion Footwear Brand of the Year
Highly Commended: Gabor
Winner: Lunar
–
Shoe Care & Accessories Brand of the Year
Winner: Cherry Blossom
Highly Commended: Euroleather
–
Men’s Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Winner: North Shoes
Highly Commended: Robin Elt Shoes
Ladies’ Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Winner: Robin Elt Shoes
Highly Commended: Soles With Heart
–
Children’s Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Highly Commended: Donaghys Shoes
Winner: Soles With Heart
Fashion Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Highly Commended: Tower London Shoes
Winner: Jakes
Outdoor Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Highly Commended: Robert Carder
Winner: Whalley Warm & Dry
–
New Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year
Winner: Inn Shoes – Belfast
Highly Commended: Zap & Toes
–
Independent Family Footwear Retailer of the Year
Highly Commended: Johnsons Shoes/Bowleys Fine Shoes
Winner: WJ French & Sons – Southampton
–
Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year
Winner: Charles Clinkard
Highly Commended: Robin Elt Shoes
–
SSF Student Shoe Fitter of the Year
Winner: Ryan Clements of North Shoes
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Platinum Shoe Award
Winner: Kevin Sumner – Rieker
Leader In Customer Service
Highly Commended: Anatomic
Winner: Karen Carton – Bobux
Best Use of Technology/e-tailer of the Year
Highly Commended: Gardiners
Winner: Pediped
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Footwear Designer of the Year
Winner: Jenevieve Froncek – pediped
Highly Commended: Mark Flenley – Gardiners
Footwear Brand of the Year
Highly Commended: Rieker
Winner: Skechers
–
Personality of the Year
Winner: Glenn Coleman – Start-rite
Shop Front of the Year
Highly Commended: Walters Shoes
Winner: Stomp Footwear in Narborough
The 2017 image gallery will be available shortly. If you require any hi res images of the night, please contact Bryony at bandrews@datateam.co.uk
After the awards presentations, a game of charity ‘Black and Gold’ was enjoyed by all, with the lucky winners receiving Gold Tickets to Club Wembley and a 4-ball at the Forest of Arden Hotel. An impressive £1300 was raised by attendees in aid of the two nominated charities of the Footwear Industry Awards, Myeloma UK and Footwear Friends.
Cheryl Taylor, editor of Footwear Today magazine, said: “I was delighted to see the numbers of retailers who attended the awards, both established businesses and start ups. A key function of the Footwear Industry Awards is to recognise independent footwear retailers and the fantastic job they do.”
Divisional manager Carl Hearnden added: “A highly coveted Footwear Industry Award is a real quality mark for retailers and brands alike, telling customers that they offer unrivalled products and service. Congratulations to all the highly commended and winners for 2017!”
Journal manager Sue Wiseman said: “We would like to thank all our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to run this awards programme to reward the hard work and innovation of the trade. I would also like to personally thank everyone who engaged with the awards and came along last night. The Footwear Industry Awards are run for the industry, by the industry, and we appreciate all the support shown.”
Datateam Business Media is delighted to announce that the 2018 Footwear Industry Awards will return to the National Conference Centre next February. See you there!