Why is the German group Wortmann investing €20 million in warehousing and logistics? Giovanni Lacatena, managing director of Wortmann Schuh, explained it to La Conceria, as he also spoke about unsold inventory, store traffic, and the indirect effects U.S. tariffs could have on production for European brands.
Investing in logistics
Last week, the Wortmann group began construction of its new “Smart Warehouse” in Detmold, where the group’s headquarters and logistics hub are located. The investment of about €20 million will bring an automated carton warehouse operated with shuttle systems and modern transport technologies. This new warehouse will integrate with the existing vertical facility and increase total storage capacity to around 4 million pairs of shoes. The facility will gradually go online, starting in Q1 2027 and become fully operational in the first half of 2027.
>“The new structure will continue to meet the high demands for speed and flexibility”, commented Jens Beining, CEO of Wortmann, as reported by shoez.biz.
Reducing unsold goods
“Today, consumers buy only out of necessity, and only when they are ‘forced’ to buy. If it snows, they go to the store—so only those who have snow boots ready and available are selling”, explains Giovanni Lacatena to La Conceria. This is why the German company is constantly investing in logistics and warehousing. “This means higher costs, but it also means being able to seize opportunities”, the manager adds. According to him, German stores currently have 40–50% unsold inventory, also due to a 10–15% drop in store traffic, caused by necessity-driven rather than fashion-driven purchasing. The investment is therefore also aimed at reducing this unsold stock.
Diversifying to respond to tariffs
“What about U.S. tariffs? They are frightening because of the situation they have triggered. The main danger for those producing in China is the closure of local factories exposed to U.S. clients. If a Chinese factory produces 70% for a U.S. client and 30% for a European one, Trump’s tariffs could cause it to lose the American partner. The factory could then shut down, leaving the European client stranded. The solution? Increasing the geographic diversification of the supply chain”, says Lacatena.
Photo: Tamaris
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