CAST, Trading Platform for Shoes, Sports & Fashion, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In the article below, we look back at the most important highlights and changes over the past 40 years. Over four decades, CAST has CAST has developed into an essential meeting place for retailers, brands and manufacturers in the Netherlands and the Benelux.
1984 | Shoe center Nieuwegein
On 20 August 1984, the opening of the Schoenencentrum, ‘a wholesale centre for footwear’ in Nieuwegein was a fact. With over 13,000 square metres of showrooms, over 140 representatives and agents of shoes settled down at the time. Representatives and the new agencies needed a more efficient way to sell their products, especially because there were multiple collections to sell per year. A central location was therefore needed.
1989 | SCN celebrates its first lustrum of existence
In 1989, the Schoenencentrum celebrated its first lustrum of existence. Had the centre met the expectations set at the time? “Yes, otherwise we would have been gone a long time ago,” says Mr. HH Otten of Empress. “You can’t ignore it anymore, the centre has simply become necessary in our trade. After all, travelling to the customer is no longer feasible in terms of time. And think of the parking problems, most shopping centres are no longer accessible after 11 o’clock. Now you can receive the customer in a calm atmosphere and my experience is that contact with customers has only grown and intensified” (Set Magazine, 1989).
2005-2006 | Time for expansion
The shoe centre will be expanded at the end of 2005 with a new floor and the travel and leather goods sector. With the arrival of leather goods suppliers, the name was also changed: from Shoe Centre to Centre for Accessories, Shoes & Bags.
The International Shoe Fair Netherlands (ISN) was organised every six months, where, in addition to the permanent exhibitors, around 40 guest exhibitors presented their latest collections.
2012 | Lieke Poppe becomes new director of CAST
Paul van Lammeren will reach retirement age at the end of May 2012. The board considered it a logical step to choose Lieke Poppe as his successor. Lieke Poppe joined CAST at the end of 1999. She started as an assistant manager, where she performed secretarial and administrative tasks and supported the then director. In 2003, she became responsible as a manager for, among other things, (internal and external) communication and the organization of trade fairs and events. When Van Lammeren reached retirement age at the end of May 2012, it was a logical step for the board of CAST to appoint Poppe as his successor.
2018 | Marijn Verschure new director of CAST
After 18.5 years at CAST, the last six years as director, Lieke Poppe is stepping down from her position. “It is time to explore a new field of work.” Marijn Verschure will be the new General Manager of CAST as of August 2018, taking over from Lieke Poppe. Before Marijn started his work as General Manager at CAST, he worked for the Clarks brand for many years and then even set up his own shoe line called Wednesday Whiskey.
“It is fantastic to be able to work for an institute like CAST”, says Marijn Verschure. “These are challenging times in which I look forward to working with the team and the board to ensure that CAST remains an inspiring environment for suppliers and buyers and innovates on future purchasing behavior.” (Tred, 2018).
2019 | Trading platform for Shoes, Sports & Fashion
In 2019, not only the name but also the logo was changed; from Schoenencentrum to Trading Platform for Shoes, Sports & Fashion.
Anyone who enters CAST in Nieuwegein should feel welcome. Hospitality and hospitality are the key words, but according to General Manager Marijn Verschure, the decoration also plays an important role. “The atmosphere in the center is experienced as positive. The central point where the catering is located looks much more colorful due to the new styling. Especially at the fair with guest exhibitors, we have succeeded in creating a look and feel of this time. And that in a very short time frame” (FashionUnited, 2019).
A platform for innovation and networking
CAST is known for its dynamic and inspiring environment. It is not only a place to show and sell products, but also a breeding ground for ideas and innovations within the fashion and footwear industry. Events, fashion shows and seminars are regularly organised where professionals can exchange knowledge and discover the latest trends.
2021 | PREVIEW
In 2021, the first edition of a new event called PREVIEW will take place. This new event is an initiative of CAST in Nieuwegein in collaboration with a number of enthusiastic Fashion Agencies. The aim is to visit a group of agencies in a relaxed atmosphere that together form a clear concept. A unique gathering of relevant brands for relevant stores. In the meantime, 3 editions are organized each purchasing season (KIDS, WOMEN & MEN).
2022 | BrandPortal
In order to continue to innovate as an organization and respond to the changing purchasing behavior within the sectors, CAST is taking an important step towards its digital platform. The BrandPortal, which serves as a digital extension of CAST’s physical events and showrooms and is designed to modernize and streamline the purchasing process within these sectors. The platform enables suppliers to present their collections online, making it easy for them to respond to digital trends. At the same time, the BrandPortal offers retailers a user-friendly tool to get acquainted with different brands and collections in an accessible way – both current and future – and facilitates direct communication with suppliers. Finally, the BrandPortal contributes to the standardization of product data, whereby CAST, as an independent party, strives to optimize the sectors in the interest of the industry.
2024 & beyond | Future plans
While CAST looks back on four decades of growth and success, the center is also looking to the future. With the ongoing digitalization of the market and the rise of sustainable fashion, CAST continues to adapt and innovate. There are plans for further digitalization and a greater focus on sustainability. From the start of the digital development, one thing is clear: CAST must continue to fulfill the role it has in essence, which is purchasing and orientation.
Milestone
The 40th anniversary of the trading platform CAST is a milestone that should not go unnoticed. During the week of the Shoe Days, CAST will be fully dedicated to its 40th anniversary and will celebrate the success of the past years together with invited guests.
