Short introduction...
Hilko Hooijer and his son Bart are the proud owners of Hooijer Footwear Group. Bart, board member of CAST and co-owner of Hooijer Footwear Group for two years, enthusiastically manages national and international sales. Together with the other board members, they lead a team of 100 dedicated employees from their head office in Oldenzaal. Here, in a spacious warehouse and modern offices, they serve customers in both the Benelux and DACH countries with care and passion.

How long have you personally been involved with CAST?
Hilko: "The expression 'born in a shoebox' certainly applies to Bart. He already came to CAST in the pram when he was not even a year old. I myself was not born in a shoebox. The company was not passed on from father to son at the time, but in 1987 I started in the shoe industry by taking over a shoe store. After three years I could be found in CAST every week during the purchasing season. After 18 years I sold my stores and became co-owner of Greve, for which I also worked in the showroom for five years. Then I made the switch to distribution, which later became Hooijer Footwear Group. In short, I have been involved with CAST for a very long time: first as a retailer, then as a manufacturer and now in wholesale."

What are your first memories of CAST?  
Hilko: "As a shoe retailer, Mondays and Tuesdays were always dedicated to CAST. The preparation started on Sunday, when I took stock and wrote down the size charts of the brands I had appointments with, which we simply did on the back of a shoe box. Purchasing was crucial for sales, so good preparation was essential. CAST has always played an important role in my career. Although I did not experience the opening of CAST, because I did not have a store at the time, I have seen all the highlights from that moment on. It was always cozy, with a large restaurant called 'Laboutine' in the purchasing center, where one of our showrooms is now located."

Bart: "I remember little of it as a child, but I now think CAST is a great center. Compared to other countries, the atmosphere and events at CAST are really the best, partly because CAST is independent. That is a big plus for both retailers and showroom owners."

Hilko: "CAST has always had a warm, cozy atmosphere. Despite the fact that there are fewer shoe stores, and that it has become a bit quieter, we can be proud of our trade center. Without CAST, we would have to go back to hotel fairs, where brands are spread over different locations. That would be much less efficient for retailers."

How long have you had a showroom at CAST?
Hilko: "We took over the company from Henk Olde Riekerink, who was chairman of CAST for a long time. There has always been at least one showroom of ours, with brands such as Birkenstock and FinComfort. We have been involved with CAST since 1984, and after the takeover we placed each brand in its own showroom, which has benefited the turnover. Because of our enthusiasm, we continue to rent more and more showrooms. Our latest showroom, for Lazamani, is located on the ground floor behind the restaurant."

What is the difference between CAST 'in the past' and 'now'?
Hilko: "In the past, everything revolved around conviviality. As a shopkeeper, you went to CAST for both shopping and talking to colleagues. It was a treat to eat at Laboutine. Now, everything revolves more around efficiency. Although it is a bit quieter than before, the atmosphere is still good."

Bart: "I don't know what it was like before, but the atmosphere is still nice, although unfortunately there are fewer shopkeepers."

Hilko: "We are trying to bring back the cosiness, for example by placing a bar between our showrooms. In Twente, where our head office is located, hospitality is a top priority. We do our best to convey that atmosphere."

What event do you remember most?
Hilko: "A less pleasant memory is a huge leak during the expansion of the building, which caused the showrooms on the top floor to get completely wet. But when we talk about nice things, I think of the cozy Schoonschip days. It was busy, there were performances and you could buy shoes of all brands at a very reasonable price."

Bart: "For me, the Shoe Days are a highlight. The drinks and the opening of new showrooms are always a lot of fun. They are major investments and important moments for us as showroom owners."

Hilko: "We also often organize nice things ourselves, such as an ice cream cart in front of our showroom or performances, such as the one by Jaap Reesema."

How has CAST developed in recent years in your opinion?
Bart: "The new management has brought a fresh, positive atmosphere. Events such as the PREVIEW fairs are real innovations and attract a wide audience. CAST stands on its own and is less dependent on the suppliers in the building. This also brings new customers for us."

Hilko: "I completely agree. The new energy within CAST is really palpable."

How has your company developed in recent years?
Hilko: "We are growing fast, mainly because we are allowed to sell more and more brands, now also outside the Benelux. We are allowed to offer our brand Lazamani worldwide. We started with one showroom for six brands, but now we have six showrooms in Nieuwegein, one in Brussels and several in Germany. Our company has doubled in size."

What is the added value of your showroom in CAST for you?
Bart: "The biggest value is that CAST is a central point where all retailers come together. We can optimally present our brands there and create the atmosphere that belongs to each brand."

Hilko: "When we present our collections at other locations, we often miss the right style and decoration. The showrooms in CAST offer us the opportunity to really convey the experience of the brand."

Future of CAST
Bart: "I see CAST as an independent shoe centre for the entire Benelux. More and more Belgian retailers are finding their way to CAST, and perhaps we will even add part of Germany in the future."

Hilko: "As a shoe industry, let us be proud of this beautiful centre."