APLF launched the first Global Foot Retail Conference (GFRC) in Hong Kong on March 31 during the annual APLF MM&T/Fashion Access event. There were over 100 registrations before the conference started and the Leather Forum, where the conference was held, was “standing room only” as the conference got underway.
The uncertain economic and political backdrop ruling at the time of the GRFC has led changes and fresh challenges in the retail environment. For example, a brand can have excellent designers, good quality manufacturing, latest styles and colours and have its target market well-defined and marketing strategy in place; but if the final interface with the consumer is not taken care of, then the new model or collection of a brand could be doomed to failure with the consequential loss of time and investment.
The Panels
Attendees listened to three panels – one on the U.S market with reference to other major markets; the second presentation was the China Panel and the third was a panel with e-commerce specialists explaining the intricacies of this type of “multi-channel retailing”.
Click on the video below for a interview by Richard Smith of APLF with Carsten Lui, Marketing Director of Chinese footwear retailer, Belle International. Belle has 19,000 footwear retail stores throughout China.