Zalando launches virtual assistant for choosing clothes and shoes
German fashion marketplace Zalando is launching a virtual assistant service powered by artificial intelligence in all 1 of its markets on October 25. The system is based on the company's OpenAI language model (ChatGPT), writes fr.fashionnetwork.com.
An example of a query that can be sent to the virtual assistant integrated into the Zalando online application is “What should I wear to my father’s 60th birthday in Barcelona in November?” The AI will be able to identify items that match the buyer’s taste, as well as take into account the location and weather during the specified period.
Zalando is also expanding its Trend Spotter tool, which allows shoppers to discover fashion trends in major European cities. The tool explains why it offers a particular item, distinguishing between local and global trends. After Milan, Paris, Berlin, Antwerp, Stockholm and Copenhagen, the tool is now available for Amsterdam, London, Warsaw and Zurich.
In 2023, Zalando's sales totaled €14,6 billion, down 1,1%. Revenue fell 1,9% to €10,1 billion, confirming the company's 2022 ceiling, which led to announcements of staff reductions. The marketplace showed its first signs of recovery in the first half of 2024.
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German fashion marketplace Zalando is launching a virtual assistant service powered by artificial intelligence in all 1 of its markets on October 25. The system…
Lamoda: demand for sportswear and footwear increased by 3% in Q45
According to Russian retailer Lamoda, demand for sportswear, footwear and accessories increased by 45% in July-September compared to the same period last year. The top 5 most popular sports items included sneakers, trainers, T-shirts,… 11.10.2024 239
Coccinelle Spring-Summer'25 Collection Presented in Moscow
Yesterday in Moscow BNS Group held a presentation of its brands' collections. Among them is the Italian luxury brand Coccinelle. Shoes Report wrote about its spring-summer'25 collection quite… 11.10.2024 344
Adidas Goes Premium With Samba Sneakers
The German sports brand has launched a new model of Samba sneakers, made in Italy. The sneakers are made entirely of leather, including the lining. The premium Vachetta Tan pair costs $350, while the standard Samba models… 10.10.2024 315
Puma Releases Collaboration With New York Rapper A$AP Rocky
This fall, the Puma brand is presenting a new, highly conceptual collaboration with American rap artist A$AP Rocky. The joint collection includes sneakers with a design inspired by… 10.10.2024 465
Clot x Adidas Collaboration Continues
In June of this year, Adidas and Asian streetwear brand Clot collaborated to release a radically updated version of the Superstar sneakers. The sports shoes were practically transformed into brogues and came out in black and white colorways. Now… 09.10.2024 437
How to determine the effectiveness of a shoe business
Today, most entrepreneurs calculate and analyze their business performance indicators. However, about 30% either do not do this or do not understand anything about it (but would like to understand this issue and start working with performance indicators). Maria Gerasimenko, an expert in the field of fashion business management and development and a regular author of SR, has prepared material especially for the readers of the magazine about what business performance indicators to rely on, how they help, how to calculate and control them so that the profitability of your business does not fall below 10%. After all, as you know, the rule of a bank deposit says: "If your business brings less profitability than a bank deposit, then it does not make sense."
Making the right diagnosis. 10 ways to quickly identify your customers' "pains"
Have you ever thought about how your offer on the website of an online store, on marketplaces is perceived by the buyer? How deeply and well do you know the needs of your target audience and the fears of your customers? SR expert in digital marketing and creating a unique brand selling proposition Tatyana Vasilyeva answers these questions and also gives recommendations on how to avoid typical mistakes in the product card, how not to make a description, photos and videos, and how to avoid unnecessary expenses in the design of your product.
We are waiting for you at the Euro Shoes exhibition on August 26-29
The international exhibition of footwear and accessories Euro Shoes premiere collection starts in Moscow next Monday. Euro Shoes will be held in the capital's Expo Center from August 26 to 29 in alliance with the leading international clothing exhibition CPM Moscow. In one place and on the same dates, both exhibitions will bring together a large number of visitors, buyers and fashion industry professionals from Russia and the CIS countries.
Global footwear production down by 1,5 billion pairs in 2023
According to statistics from the World Footwear Yearbook 2024, the annual analytical bulletin of the Portuguese Footwear Association, global footwear production fell by 6% last year to 22,4 billion pairs. And global footwear exports decreased by 9,1% year-on-year, to 14 billion pairs, writes Worldfootwear.com.
Time-tested and new collections
PETER KAISER SPRING/SUMMER 2025
The business program of the EURO SHOES exhibition will take place on August 28
After a break, the business program returns to the EURO SHOES premiere collection exhibition. It will take place on August 28 in pavilion 8.4 of the Expocentre, from 12:00 to 17:00.
Difficulties in recruiting personnel and how to deal with them
Many managers believe that by providing decent wages and good working conditions, potential employees will come to work on their own, and each of them will become an excellent salesperson. Unfortunately, this is not the case: applicants come reluctantly, and in most cases, none of them are suitable for the position of salesperson. Therefore, personnel selection requires a professional approach. SR expert in the field of fashion business management and development Maria Gerasimenko talks about the employee selection algorithm and non-standard methods of searching and interviewing candidates.
HIT OF THE SEASON: THE MOST CURRENT MODELS FOR SUMMER FROM THE GERMAN FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES BRAND TAMARIS
The German brand Tamaris presented the Hot summer line with light and weightless models that are ideal for the hot season.
EXTR4 - a new shoe brand from Italy at the EURO SHOES exhibition
Imagine a world where the barriers between urban style and athletic performance disappear, where shoes become more than just an accessory, but an integral part of your personality and lifestyle. This is the world of EXTR4, a new shoe brand from Italy created for men and women who live active, full lives.
PETER KAISER IS BACK! The oldest shoe brand in Europe will again be presented in Russia, Caprice Vostok CEO Viktor Kunz spoke about this in an exclusive interview with SR
"Peter Kaiser is back!" – with this slogan, the German brand Caprice opens the spring-summer 2025 season. At the end of December 2023, it became known that Caprice acquired Peter Kaiser, one of the oldest, rich in tradition and most respected shoe brands in Europe. Caprice will continue the unique history of the Peter Kaiser brand and retain its essence. The new owner promises to maintain maximum comfort and quality of shoe materials, a younger audience will be attracted, and prices will become very attractive. “In the mid-price segment, Caprice and I offer excellent value for money. Thanks to the Peter Kaiser trademark, registered in more than 70 countries around the world, we will be able to position ourselves in a higher price segment. The lower and luxury segments are dominated by vertically integrated suppliers. The segment with the greatest potential for our non-vertical partners is in between. This is where Caprice and Peter Kaiser will be positioned,” says Managing Director of CAPRICE Schuhproduktion GmbH & Co. KG Jurgen Kölsch.
Euro Shoes was a huge success in Moscow
The international exhibition of footwear and accessories Euro Shoes premiere collection was held in Moscow from August 26 to 29 at the Expocentre. Organizers and participants of the professional exhibition note the high level of attendance and business activity. Euro Shoes has once again become a center of attraction for professional buyers from different cities and regions of Russia and from the CIS countries.
Heading towards Moscow - development of the MASCOTTE chain in a new concept
The brand of shoes, clothing and accessories Mascotte continues to actively develop the network in a new concept. Updated spaces appeared in Moscow in the VEGAS KASHIRSKOE shopping center on the 1st floor (area more than 300 m²) and the Vesna shopping center on the 1st floor (area more than 400 m²). By the end of 2024, openings are planned in the Botanica Mall mixed-use complex on the 1st floor (area more than 400 m²) and in the ODIPARK shopping center on the 1st floor (area more than 300 m²). In 2025, the brand plans to continue to expand its network of branded salons in a new concept through consistent and methodical openings in new shopping centers and rebranding of current salons with relocation to larger areas.
Louis Vuitton opens a new factory in Italy
Louis Vuitton has opened its second shoe factory in Italy. After opening the first one in Fiesso d'Artico in Veneto, the LVMH flagship brand has just opened a new production site dedicated to this category of footwear in the industrial zone of Civitano in the Marche region. There is also another brand production facility in Tuscany, where bags and leather accessories are produced, writes fr.fashionnetwork.com.
Effective methods that will help improve the effectiveness of sellers
Many store managers face the problem of staff burnout who work on the sales floor. Previous motivation schemes for salespeople - “salary +%” no longer work today, and therefore new ways are needed to motivate employees to work better, more and sell more effectively. SR expert in fashion business development management Maria Gerasimenko shares her knowledge and tells what motivation schemes are effective today, how to implement a new motivation program and accustom a sales team to it.
Health and comfort in Relax Anatomic dress shoes
For many years, the Greek company Relax Anatomic has been producing innovative anatomical shoes that meet the requirements of orthopedic doctors. The Relax Anatomic design meets all the needs of the modern woman who seeks style and comfort. Relax Anatomic shoes offer a wide range of sporty and classic shoes for all ages in high heels, mid heels and flats.
The international footwear exhibition Euro Shoes premiere collection was successfully held in Moscow
Russia's largest exhibition of footwear and accessories, Euro Shoes, was held in Moscow from February 19 to 22 and again became the main meeting place for fashion brands and buyers.
CAPRICE acquired PETER KAISER, one of Europe's most traditional footwear brands
Shoe manufacturer CAPRICE from Pirmasens has acquired the PETER KAISER brand, one of the oldest and most respected women's shoe brands in Europe. Caprice will continue the unique history of the PETER KAISER brand and preserve the essence of the brand. At the same time, maximum comfort and quality of materials will be maintained, a younger audience will be attracted, and prices will become more attractive.
A new look at Giotto. Interview with the head of the company Vladimir Timofeev
The corner of the Russian women's shoe brand Giotto in the fashionable metropolitan department store Trend Island became the first application of a famous Moscow shoe factory to develop and promote its own brand. Until now, the company has focused on sewing shoes for third-party customers and large retailers. Shoes Report spoke with the head of Giotto, Vladimir Timofeev, about its new strategy and the prospects for domestic production.
The Euro Shoes@CAF exhibition will be held in Almaty
From March 11 to 13, the Euro Shoes@CAF (Central Asia Fashion) exhibition will be held in Almaty at the Atakent exhibition complex. The exhibition, which is the largest international event in the fashion industry in Central Asia, will present collections of clothing, shoes and accessories.
Sales through marketplaces. Growth points and pitfalls
Over the past few years, marketplaces have been actively growing, taking away share from offline retail. And shoe brands are eager to sell their products through these online platforms, hoping to earn a lot more and scale their business. Marketplaces really take on a lot (issues of logistics, delivery, returns, promotion in search engines), but everything is as ideal and rosy as it seems to beginners. Inexpensive traffic and regular sales come at the cost of risks and fines. SR expert in sales management and strategic development of fashion brands, business consultant Daniya Tkacheva talks about growth points and pitfalls of working with marketplaces.
Turkish brand Vaneda on Euro Shoes
Street style, sport, outdoor, military – the main style directions of footwear of the company from Turkey
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.
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.
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.
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. Properly 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 put off the decision for months?
