Pure to launch footwear area

Womenswear trade show Pure is to unveil a dedicated footwear section at this season's edition.

The results of independent research commissioned by Pure showed that 48% of visitors to the August edition sold footwear through their stores, and that 68% of those visitors expected footwear sales to grow next year.

Pure hopes to capitalise on the rising popularity of footwear with the new section and has already signed up footwear brands including Rocket Dog and French Sole as exhibitors.

Separately, Pure has recruited a new show director, Sarah Lawrence, who joins from Emap Esprit. Lawrence has been tasked with further developing Pure and raising interest in the new footwear area.

Pure is owned by Drapers' publisher Emap. The show celebrates its 11th birthday next year. The next edition of Pure takes place at Olympia in London on February 10-12. For more information, visit www.purewomenswear.co.uk