August 2023 | Increased footfall and an upbeat crowd

INDX Woman welcomes increased footfall and receives glowing reviews

INDX Woman recently returned to Cranmore Park for its summer 2023 edition, bringing together womenswear, footwear, and fashion accessories, and showcasing the latest trends from an expertly edited selection of over 110 brands, which included over 30 newcomers

Organised by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the UK’s leading buying group for Fashion, Home, and Leisure, James Crabtree, Head of Fashion at AIS was pleased to report an increase in attendance:

"We opened INDX Woman on the back of a very successful edition of INDX Man, and I'm happy to report that both shows have recorded an increase in buyer footfall this season.

"We pride ourselves on creating a professional and relaxed buying environment and to protect the integrity of the show, we pre-vet all registrations to ensure only buyers and retailers attend - and this approach has certainly paid-off."

Exhibitors were delighted with the 3-day show, which has become a destination order-writing event. As part of an interview with Eric Musgrave for The Industry Fashion, Lee Wood, from Joe Brown’s commented:

"INDX Woman is an order placing show for us rather than buyers having a look. INDX Man was good last week, but the womenswear show is always busier for us. Sunday was a super-busy first day and after a bit of a slow start, Monday was much the same. We have seen retailers from the south-west, the north, the East Coast and the Midlands – most parts of England in fact".

In the same interview Lisa Hemingway, Founder of Chalk and first-time exhibitor at INDX Woman said:

“I have taken more orders than I expected. We already work with some nice creative independents and I am here mainly to try and open with the AIS-independent department stores. I must say INDX is a very nice place to show and the people here are very nice to work with.”

Meanwhile, Simon Lomond from Pretty Vacant told Drapers that he had taken orders and made good new contacts at the show:

"INDX Woman is ticking all the boxes. It's definitely an order-writing show. Its unpretentious - we come to showcase and buyers come to write orders so it's great for us."

Visitors were also happy to provide a glowing report, and Lawren Seeley, from Leekes independent department store which has seven locations in south Wales including Bilston, Cardiff and Llantrisant, told Drapers:

“This is our first time at INDX Woman and the show has been great so far. Some of our suppliers are here - we work on a concession basis so we're scouting for new brands - we've spoken to four new ones so far."

Return visitor, Tracy-Anne Fraser, from womenswear store Kanya said:

"INDX Woman is a great show, so chilled and such a great environment to buy in and network. It was my colleagues first visit and she loved it. We will be back in 2024".