The UK footwear retail sector is undergoing a major period of change. The end of British Shoe Corporation dominance means that the sector is no longer controlled by a handful of names, with the disappearance of many long established brands providing opportunities for a number of new businesses.

What are the long term implications? What is certain is that the next decade will see the industry bearing little resemblance to the previous one. With casual and sports shoes accounting for half of current sales, new players on the market and older brands such as Clark's are experiencing a renaissance. Looking at the importance of lifestyle marketing and branding for the future, Footwear Retailing examines the extent to which this situation has opened up new opportunities, introduced new names to the high street and the future long term implications for the industry. The collapse of the BSC chain aligned with strong new brand strategies has given the customer a more positive choice in products.