WORTMANN continues to grow

Last fiscal year 2011 / 12, despite the weakening market conditions, the Wortmann group of companies from the German city of Detmold continued its growth, increasing its trading turnover by 4,3% to 999,3 million euros. The year before, the company's total turnover was 957,7 million euros. The export share increased slightly to 52,9% (in the previous year 52,7%). Particularly successful development of the foreign market is observed in Russia, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Benelux countries. And, while there are growth trends in the German domestic market, the difficult economic situation in the UK and Ireland has reduced turnover. Private-owned Asian brand Novi Footwear from Hong Kong and Singapore failed to achieve last year's turnover. Especially in cooperation with foreign customers, the company suffered losses. Today the Wortmann group collections are represented in more than 70 countries of the world, in 15 000 shoe stores.

According to a communication analysis conducted in May of this year by the German popular women's magazine Brigitte, the Tamaris brand continues its take-off, launched two years ago, gradually turning into the No. 1 shoe brand in Europe. To date, the brand has managed to consolidate its already solid position in the market. In all three categories, namely fame (66%), sympathy (34%) and willingness to buy (29%), the indicators improved significantly both in comparison with the last study conducted in 2010 year, and in the overall competitiveness rating.

The Tamaris system partnership is also continuing its triumphal march. Recently Tamaris is also represented on the American continent. In July, two single-brand Tamaris stores opened in Mexico City. Today, 723 retail space (the previous year 519) operates around the world, including 220 monobrand stores and 503 branded zones.

The Wortmann group of companies, rightfully considered the leader in the fashionable women's shoes market in Europe, includes, in addition to the main brand Tamaris, the brands Marco Tozzi, Caprice, Jana and s.Oliver Shoes. In Asia, the company is owned by Novi Footwear Fareast Ltd. Wortmann is represented in Europe by 8 own firms, in Asia the company is represented by 11 firms. The company’s production volume, which totals one million pairs of shoes in the fashion 31 segment, and one million pairs in the standard 27,2 segment, makes it one of the largest shoe manufacturers and sellers in Europe. In total, the company has 1 028 employees (the previous year 978), of which 593 in Europe. 30 thousand workers around the world make shoes for a German company.

Wortmann expects a slight decline in sales growth this fiscal year. Stocks of goods in storehouses are still quite high, which was largely influenced by adverse weather conditions of the last three seasons. In this regard, it is too early to talk about further sales forecasts, the company emphasizes.