Unichel is 90 years old!
One of the largest and oldest shoe enterprises in Russia, the Unichel Chelyabinsk factory, celebrates its 2022th anniversary in December 90.
Over its almost century-old history, the enterprise has turned from a repair and sewing workshop into a powerful shoe holding, uniting three shoe factories - in Chelyabinsk, Orenburg and Zlatoust. In fact, today it is a specialized cluster for the development of shoe models and the production of components and auxiliary materials for its tailoring, including its own production of soles, lasts, cutters and parts. Other shoe companies in the country purchase these components for the production of shoes from third-party suppliers.
Every year about 3 million pairs of high quality shoes leave the Unichel conveyors. More than 10% of all leather shoes currently produced in the country are made by Unichel.
Today the Unichel factory is the most technically equipped shoe company in Russia. Over the past five years alone, investments in the renewal of the equipment fleet amounted to more than 500 million rubles. The only Italian program for 3D shoe modeling in the Russian Federation was purchased. This is an innovative project that allows you to create a complete shoe production cycle, including three-dimensional modeling of lasts, soles, shoe models and software control using digital technologies based on parameters created in the modeling program.
"Unichel" - from the English unated (association) and chel - Chelyabinsk. Part of the name of the native city is represented by 630 stores operating in more than 250 cities of Russia and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the rating of shoe sellers published by MarketMedia and RBC, Unichel is one of the top three shoe retailers in terms of the number of retail stores. In addition, the brand has gone online, thanks to electronic trading platforms, Chelyabinsk shoes are now bought not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Germany, Poland, the USA and Estonia.
In Russia, the factory's products are in demand not only among private buyers, but also by corporate customers. Contracts for the supply of footwear for employees of enterprises were concluded by Unichel with airlines, airports and the Supreme Court of Russia.
One of the country's leading light industry enterprises continues to receive recognition both in the professional and social spheres. Over the past five years, the factory has been awarded a special Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of quality, the "Recognition" award for contribution to the development of industrial production and the title of "Best Employer" according to the results of the "Changing the World" social achievement competition. And Unichel products became the owner of the Russian Quality Mark for a line of children's shoes and entered the TOP-10 ideal women's shoes according to Roskachestvo.
One of the largest and oldest shoe enterprises in Russia - the Chelyabinsk factory "Unichel" in December 2022 celebrates its 90th anniversary ...
Editorial Office Shoes Report
Unichel foresees the wishes of customers
Unichel shoe factory is the first Russian shoe manufacturer to use the latest technology to investigate the level of customer interest in models that are just about to be born. Based on measurements obtained using special ...
08.08.2019 8199
Rieker and Remonte with new collections - at Euro Shoes
Rieker is well-known and beloved in Russia. Each pair of Rieker shoes is designed with the anatomy of the foot in mind, using Rieker's signature Antistress technology to create maximum comfort…
19.02.2026 4906
Chinese brands and factories at Euro Shoes
The Russian economy's pivot toward Asia and the active development of the footwear industry and the technological base for producing a wide variety of footwear in China are opening up new prospects for cooperation with Chinese…
17.02.2026 5077
The home collection from Australian brand EMU Australia at Euro Shoes
SOHO Fashion invites you to discover the new Fall/Winter 26 collection of Australian footwear brand EMU Australia at the Euro Shoes premiere collection international exhibition in…
16.02.2026 4921
Tamaris SS26 Collection
In its Spring-Summer 2026 collection, Tamaris combines tradition, innovation, and the latest fashion trends.
09.02.2026 7582
The 37th Euro Shoes Premiere Collection exhibition concluded successfully in Moscow.
From March 4th to 7th, the International Euro Shoes Premiere Collection exhibition took place at the WTC Congress Center in Moscow. It is a specialized B2B event for footwear industry and fashion retail professionals and the key industry event of the new purchasing season and selection development for fashion retailers. Approximately 100 companies and brands participated in the exhibition, presenting their Fall/Winter 2026/27 footwear, bag, and accessory collections to professional visitors.
Needs Identification Techniques That Really Work in Shoe Stores
"How can I help you?" is the most common, yet least effective, question in shoe retail. Customers rarely articulate their needs clearly. Some are shy, while others don't fully understand what they're looking for. Therefore, a salesperson's job isn't simply to suggest styles; they need to be able to identify the customer's true desires. In this article, SR expert Maria Gerasimenko and I explore five techniques that will help your staff better hear, see, and understand your customers, and therefore sell more and better.
Revisiting classic standards of retail lighting through the lens of modern technology
Just yesterday, the principle governing retail lighting was: the brighter the light, the brighter the store, the more customers and sales. Today, this principle has lost its relevance. It has been replaced by a trend toward a well-thought-out concept, intelligently applied lighting, and carefully selected lighting fixtures. Anastasia Efremova, SR's expert in retail lighting and lighting designer at Tochka Opory, discusses current lighting principles in fashion and footwear retail, and how light helps interact with merchandise, space, and customer emotions. She will help you understand the fundamental principles of lighting through the lens of new retail space requirements.
Spring/Summer 2026: Five Trends for Athletic Shoes
In a highly competitive environment, especially in the dynamic digital environment, fashion trends are changing rapidly. We're highlighting five trends from international trend bureau Future Snoops that address local market demands.
Where can you find reliable shoe manufacturing in Russia today?
The market is changing, but the key question for buyers and brands remains: where can you find real Russian manufacturing that you can work with directly—without complicated processes, surprises, and wasted time? On February 12, 2026, this question will be answered not with presentations, but with practice: the Izmailovo Hotel, Beta Building, will host the 2nd All-Russian Technology Industry Conference "Footwear Manufacturing in Russia"—a meeting of footwear manufacturers and those who order, sell, and develop their brands.
Tamaris SS26 Collection
In its Spring-Summer 2026 collection, Tamaris combines tradition, innovation, and the latest fashion trends.
MARCO TOZZI announced the launch of the new MT Sport collection.
German footwear brand MARCO TOZZI has announced the launch of its new men's footwear collection, MT Sport. MT Sport is a new collection of men's footwear in a sporty, casual style. It will be available in partner stores this spring.
Euro Shoes opens a new season for buyers and brands
In the first days of spring, from March 4–7, the international footwear and accessories exhibition Euro Shoes Premiere Collection in Moscow will once again gather buyers and other industry professionals to discover the collections of global footwear brands for the upcoming Fall-Winter 26–27 season.
Chinese brands and factories at Euro Shoes
The Russian economy's pivot toward Asia and the active development of the footwear industry and the technological base for producing a wide range of footwear in China are opening up new prospects for cooperation with Chinese partners.
The home collection from Australian brand EMU Australia at Euro Shoes
SOHO Fashion invites you to discover the new Fall/Winter 26 collection of Australian footwear brand EMU Australia at the Euro Shoes Premiere Collection international exhibition in Moscow.
Rieker and Remonte with new collections - at Euro Shoes
Rieker is well-known and beloved in Russia. Each pair of Rieker shoes is designed with the anatomy of the foot in mind, using Rieker's signature Antistress technology to ensure maximum comfort.
Just a month until the Euro Shoes exhibition in Moscow!
We are counting down the days for the main international exhibition of footwear and accessories Euro Shoes Premiere Collection in Moscow! The exhibition will be held from August 27 to 30 at a new premium venue – the capital's congress center WTC on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment.
Salvatore Ferragamo's Shoes Inspire Pastry Chefs
Italian confectioners have created cakes that are exact copies of six legendary pairs of shoes from the archives of the Italian "Shoemaker to the Stars" maestro Salvatore Ferragamo. They were presented in the 10_11 restaurant of the Milan hotel Portrait Milano, which is part of the hotel management company owned by the Ferragamo family.
Main trend themes for footwear and bags collections for the fall-winter 2025/26 season
Whatever aesthetics your collection adheres to - craft heritage, elegant minimalism inspired by traditions or, conversely, futuristic forms - if your customer strives to be fashionable and you need to regularly update your assortment with current trendy novelties, pay attention to the design trends, models and details of women's shoes and bags in the fall-winter 2025/26 season described in this article. To prepare it, the author used materials from the international trend bureau Fashion Snoops, which is a source of commercial forecasts for the seasons ahead, and current trend analytics of key events in the fashion industry around the world: industry exhibitions, shows, shows.
The Battle for the Sports Shoe Market
Fashion market experts and economic analysts predict a decline in sales of Nike and Adidas. The leadership positions of the unsinkable sports giants may be seriously shaken in the coming years, as they are being pushed out by young, bold and active competitors – challenger brands. Why is this happening, and what are the main reasons for such changes? Daniya Tkacheva, a fashion market expert and practitioner with 20 years of experience in sales management, and 13 years of experience in the Nike Russia team and fashion retail, shares her view on the situation on the market in the sportswear and footwear segment.
Micam and Livetrend presented a selection of footwear trends for the spring-summer 2026 season
The Italian international footwear fair Micam presents the "Spring-Summer 2026 Trend Guide", developed in collaboration with Livetrend. The guide is based on the analysis of social networks, online marketplaces and fashion shows, as well as new technologies such as artificial intelligence and Big Data.
How Pareto's Law Works in a Shoe Retail Store
Analysis of the company's performance is an important quality of a manager. Many indicators in the retail business are subject to analysis, primarily - sales planning and inventory balances, KPI performance by employees, the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, the number of sellers, their work schedules and many other factors that affect the final result of the store. In this material, SR expert on increasing sales in shoe retail Evgeny Danchev, using the Pareto principle, understands the reasons why revenue and volumes of goods sold are distributed very unevenly between weekdays and weekends. The author is confident that the Pareto principle is indispensable in the systemic analysis of sales management efficiency and sales results. But it is important to apply it correctly and interpret its meaning.
Clarks: 200 years of quality, style and innovation
In 2025, the legendary British brand Clarks celebrates its 200th anniversary – an impressive milestone that demonstrates its enduring relevance, impeccable quality and global appeal.recognition of the brand. Since its foundation in 1825, the company has not only created shoes, but also set the standards for comfort and style, remaining a symbol of British craftsmanship and innovation.
PETER KAISER - the best brand of 2025!
"CAPRICE Schuhproduktion GmbH has received a certificate for awarding PETER KAISER the title of "Top Brand 2025".
Turn to Asia. Features of shoe production at a factory in China
Finding a partner factory for shoe production is not an easy process. Today, many Russian brands sew their collections in factories in China. The concept of the women's shoe brand N.early N.aked, founded in 2019, was based on the idea of producing shoes suitable for dancing, with a perfect fit. Initially, the shoes were sewn in Europe, but in 2022, shoe production was moved to China.
How to Compete with Marketplaces in 2025
The shoe business is a complex process due to the many related micro-strategies used to extract profit. It is necessary to determine how much goods to purchase, what trade margin to set, and approve the norm of balances at the end of the season. In addition, it is necessary to draw up a sales plan and decide on marketing campaigns that take into account seasonal demand and the competitive environment, set up a personnel motivation system and correctly set control points.
Shoe educational program: what shoe soles are made of
“What is the difference between TEP and EVA? What does tunit promise me? Is PVC glue? What is the sole of these shoes made of? ”- the modern buyer wants to know everything. In order not to smash his face in front of him and be able to explain whether such a sole suits him in soles, carefully read this article. In it, process engineer Igor Okorokov tells what materials the soles of shoes are made of and what makes each of them so good.
How to set prices that will earn
Some businessmen still confuse the concept of margin with the concept of trade margins and set prices for their goods, guided solely by the example of competitors. No wonder they go broke! Analyst at the Academy of Retail Technologies Maxim Gorshkov gives several tips and formulas with which you can set not only ruinous, but also profitable prices.
Sales of shoes and accessories: effective techniques for business rhetoric
Which speech modules are effective in communicating with potential and current customers of shoe stores, and which are not, Anna Bocharova, a business consultant, knows.
We form the salary of sellers: expert advice
“How do you charge your consultants for personal or general sales?” Is one of the most popular questions causing a lot of controversy and gossip on the online forums of retail business owners. Indeed, how to properly form the earnings of sellers? But what about bonuses, where to get a sales plan from, do employees allow them to buy goods at discounted stores? In search of truth, the Shoes Report turned to a dozen shoe retailers, but no company wanted to disclose its motivation system - the process of its development was too complicated and individual. Then we asked four business consultants, and finally became convinced that the topic of seller motivation is very complex, because even our experts could not come to a common opinion.
The whole truth about Bayer. Who is he and how to become one?
Bayer is no longer a new, but still a popular and sought-after profession. It’s fashionable to be a buyer. Buyers are at the origins of the emergence and development of trends. If the designer offers his vision of fashion in the season, then the buyer selects the most interesting commercial ideas. It is on buyers that the policy of sales of stores and what, in the end, the buyer will wear depends on. This profession is surrounded by a magical fleur, often associated with a lack of understanding of what exactly is the work of a buyer.
Technology Selling Issues
There is nothing worse than meeting the buyer with the words “Hello, can I help you with something?”, Because the seller works in the store just to help. Criticizing this well-established pattern of communication with the buyer, Andrei Chirkarev, business coach for effective sales and the founder of the New Economy project, shares the technology of truly selling issues with readers of Shoes Report.
Fur, and not only: types of lining
In the production of winter footwear, various materials are used that are designed to retain heat and meet the requirements of consumers: natural sheepleather, artificial fur, artificial fur from natural wool and others. All types of lining fur have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider the properties of each of them.
The best models of Czech shoes of the past
In Soviet times, for shoes from Czechoslovakia sold under the Cebo brand, customers stood in line for four hours and did not regret it, because Czech shoes were considered to be of high quality, comfortable and fashionable. Shoe designer Juraj Shushka shared a photo archive of his collection with Shoes Report magazine, which contains the most interesting Cebo models from the 1940's to the 1980's.
Retail Arithmetic
Before you begin to solve specific problems, you need to find out how accurately all the leaders of your company understand the basic terminology of retail.
How to fire a worker without tears, scandal and trial
Sooner or later, any manager is faced with the need to part with an employee. Correctly and on time the dismissal procedure will save the company money, and the boss himself - nerves and time. But why sometimes, knowing that a break in relations is inevitable, we postpone the decision for months?
