Leder & Schuh turnover rises

Graz-based shoe company Leder & Schuh International AG (Leder & Schuh) has managed a 10 per cent turnover increase.The firm – which runs Humanic, Jello and other chains – said yesterday (Thurs) it achieved a turnover of 542.8 million Euros last year, up from 496.3 million Euros in 2009.Leder & Schuh has a market share of 21 per cent in Austria. The company is the sixth-biggest player of the sector in Europe. The firm runs 355 stores in Austria and abroad after having opened 25 new shops last year. It has more than 3,700 staff, of whom nearly half are engaged in Austria.News of a higher Leder & Schuh turnover comes after the Austrian Industrial Association for Textiles, Clothes, Shoes and Leather (TBSL) warned customers must brace themselves for soaring prices due to higher cotton trade rates.Inflation in Austria rose by 2.4 per cent in January compared to the same month of 2010. This was the most significant price increase in around two and a half years. Higher prices for foodstuff, car fuel and other mineral oil products were mainly responsible for the development.