How to order goods: a comprehensive approach at a footwear exhibition

Torgsoft has been participating in footwear exhibitions in Ukraine for many years. The next international specialized exhibition of footwear, leather goods, fur and components LEATHER AND SHOES 2024 '1 is scheduled for January 23-26, 2024.

Torgsoft at the exhibition in 2012

We talk about the strategy of ordering goods at a footwear exhibition — a detailed overview of the key points and tips that will help you plan your purchases at the exhibition.

1. Planning and budgeting

It is worth developing a clear procurement plan, taking into account the time gap between the creation of collections and their launch on the market. 

Estimate how much and what kind of goods you need for the next season. This will help you avoid shortages or overstocks.

Determine how much money you are willing to spend on the purchase. Your budget should take into account not only the cost of the goods, but also additional costs, such as shipping.

Taking into account the seasonality of your business, plan your purchases in advance — manufacturers start preparing for the spring collection in November.

Prepare an order form that includes all the necessary details: product names, quantities, sizes, colors, prices, etc. This will facilitate the ordering process and help avoid mistakes.

• The Torgsoft program provides entrepreneurs with tools to automate the collection of order data — you can easily scan barcodes of goods at the exhibition, ensuring quick and accurate entry of information about each product. 

• Torgsoft allows you to track all costs associated with procurement, including the cost of goods, shipping costs, and customs duties. This allows you to accurately plan your budget, taking into account all potential costs. In addition, the program can automatically calculate the total cost of the order, which helps to avoid cash gaps.

• With Torgsoft, you can analyze sales data and demand trends for each product category. This allows you to make informed and accurate procurement planning, adapting orders to seasonal fluctuations and changes in consumer preferences. Using this data, you can optimize the quantity and assortment of goods to be ordered, minimizing the risk of shortages or overstocks.

2. Use of digital technologies

The involvement of digital platforms such as Alibaba and Amazon B2B can greatly improve the process of selecting and comparing products, including custom-made clothing.

Use the Internet to search for Ukrainian manufacturers and distributors. These can be official company websites or online marketplaces where you can get information about products, prices, and terms of cooperation. Social networks and forums can also be useful for connecting with suppliers and getting feedback from other entrepreneurs.

Here are some of the best footwear suppliers and manufacturers in Ukraine:

1. Kachorovska is a Ukrainian premium women's footwear brand. Founded in 1972, the brand offers a wide range of models, from ballet flats and loafers to shoes and sandals. Kachorovska shoes are made of high quality materials and have an elegant design.

2. LAPTI is a Ukrainian brand of women's and children's footwear. Founded in 2011, the brand offers stylish and comfortable footwear at affordable prices. LAPTI shoes are made from natural materials and meet European quality standards.

3. Ali Saulidi is a Ukrainian women's footwear brand. Founded in 2012, the brand offers bright and unusual shoe models that reflect current fashion trends. Ali Saulidi shoes are made of high quality materials and have an original design.

4. Marsala is a Ukrainian brand of women's and men's footwear. Founded in 1999, the brand offers a wide range of models, from classic to sporty. Marsala shoes are made from natural materials and meet European quality standards.

5. Kasandra is a Ukrainian women's footwear brand. Founded in 1992, the brand offers stylish and comfortable footwear at affordable prices. Kasandra shoes are made from natural materials and meet European quality standards.

6. Wladna is a Ukrainian women's footwear brand. Founded in 2013, the brand offers elegant and sophisticated footwear models that reflect the latest fashion trends. Wladna shoes are made of high quality materials and meet European quality standards.

7. Artell is a Ukrainian brand of women's and men's footwear. Founded in 1996, the brand offers a wide range of models, from classic to sporty. Artell shoes are made from natural materials and meet European quality standards.

8. Mias is a Ukrainian brand of women's and children's footwear. Founded in 2010, the brand offers stylish and comfortable footwear at affordable prices. Mias shoes are made from natural materials and meet European quality standards.

3. Visiting showrooms

Gather contacts of manufacturers and find out if they have showrooms. Showrooms are an important alternative to trade shows for entrepreneurs looking for the latest trends and procurement opportunities. 

Showrooms can also be found through manufacturers' and distributors' websites, Instagram, or Facebook, where brands often announce showroom openings and special events. Unlike exhibitions, showrooms usually offer a more relaxed environment for getting to know products. You can carefully examine the goods, discuss details with company representatives, and order individual batches of products.

If you are not able to visit showrooms or exhibitions in person, you can use the services of professional agents or intermediaries who can visit them for you, collect information and order samples.

4. Market research

Use the Torgsoft accounting program to analyze the demand and preferences of your target audience. This will help you better understand the needs of your customers. The Torgsoft program allows you to collect data on sales and customer behavior. Using this information, you can analyze which products are in demand, which categories generate the most revenue, and which trends affect consumer behavior. 

Using Torgsoft's analytical features helps you forecast demand for certain products — you can determine which products will be popular in the future, allowing you to optimize your purchases and inventory. Thanks to the detailed data analysis provided by Torgsoft, you can make more informed decisions about product mix, pricing, and marketing strategies.

5. Attention to detail

A key aspect of procuring goods is to check for certificates of conformity that certify the quality and safety of the products. It is also important to make sure that the product meets all regulatory standards and requirements. This may include checking for the content of harmful substances, compliance with environmental and safety standards.

It is important to know the terms and conditions for returning goods. This includes the timeframe during which returns are possible, the condition of the goods for acceptance, and possible financial consequences (e.g., reimbursement of shipping costs). Also pay attention to the recommendations for storage and care of the goods.

6. Understanding international trends

Take into account global trends and specifics of different markets, especially when participating in international exhibitions, such as footwear exhibitions.

One of the easiest ways to keep up with international trends is to regularly read industry publications, blogs or articles. These can be international magazines, news sites or specialized online resources that publish reviews and analytical reports on the latest trends in the footwear industry.

Here are some international magazines, news sites, and specialized online resources that publish reviews and analytical reports on the latest trends in the footwear industry:

• Footwear News is an American weekly magazine that covers news and trends in the footwear industry. The magazine contains articles on fashion, business, technology and management.

• Shoe Magazine is an international magazine that covers news and trends in the footwear industry. The magazine contains articles on fashion, business, technology and management.

• Sneaker News is an online magazine that covers news and trends in the athletic footwear industry. The magazine contains articles on fashion, business, technology and management.

• Highsnobiety is an online magazine that covers news and trends in the fashion industry, including footwear. The magazine contains articles on fashion, business, technology and management.

• Complex is an online magazine that covers news and trends in the fashion industry, including footwear. The magazine contains articles about fashion, business, technology and management.

These resources offer a variety of perspectives on the footwear industry, including news, reviews, analysis and forecasts. 

Social networks like Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn are a great source of information about current trends. You can follow well-known brands, influencers, and experts in your industry to see what new products they offer, what styles are becoming popular, and what styles are falling by the wayside.

7. Assortment planning

Use product accounting programs to optimize your assortment, balancing the variety of models with their quantity.

Torgsoft allows you to create assortment plans based on sales analysis and inventory management. Using Torgsoft inventory management function, determine how many products you need to order to ensure a sufficient level of sales.

8. Uniqueness of widespread errors

Common mistakes when ordering shoes at an exhibition:

• Insufficient preparation. If you don't do your research before the trade show, you won't be able to determine which shoe manufacturers and brands are of interest to your business. You also won't be able to make a list of products you are interested in ordering.

• Indiscriminate. Many different manufacturers and brands are represented at shoe exhibitions. You need to be discerning and choose only those suppliers who offer quality goods at a reasonable price.

• Inability to negotiate. At shoe shows, manufacturers are often willing to negotiate prices and delivery terms. If you're not prepared to negotiate, you may end up paying more than you need to.

• Ordering goods at the last minute. Shoe manufacturers often have long lead times for order fulfillment. Therefore, it is important to place an order in time to receive the goods before the start of the sales season.

Finally, here are some additional tips that will help you order goods at the footwear exhibition in 2024:

• Bring your business card and other contact information with you. This will help manufacturers contact you if they have additional questions or suggestions.

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will spend a lot of time walking around the exhibition, so it is important to dress comfortably.

• Don't forget to charge your phone or tablet. You'll want to take lots of photos and notes to remember everything you saw and heard at the show.