Atlanta Shoe Market Gets High Marks From Vendors

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant and the coronavirus resurgence, exhibitors at the Atlanta Shoe Market were optimistic about the market heading into the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. “We feel like this is the best shoe show in the U.S.,” said Jud Taylor, general manager for Twisted X. “Buyers come from all over the country, and they are excited to see products in person. It’s been as busy as it’s ever been.” “This was a very solid show,” added Jeff Shipley, VP of sales for H.H. Brown. “We were writing orders. It was better than expected. We had a few last-minute cancellations, but walk-ins more than made up for it.” Brandy LaPlante, territory sales manager for Ecco, said the brand was determined to “show so we have made it to the other side [of the pandemic].” “Business has been strong; we were fully booked,” LaPlante said. Laura Conwell-O’Brien, executive director of Southeastern Shoe Travelers Inc., which puts on the show, said pre-registration numbers of retailers were down 1 percent from the February 2020 event, which was to be expected. There were 2,000 pre-registered retailers and 760 exhibitors. “There was some last-minute fallout from [worries over] the Delta variant,” she said.

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