Through this initiative, CAST is taking an important step towards accelerating digitalisation within the European footwear, sports and fashion sector. The partnership stems from a clear market need: brands and retailers are eager to digitalise, but often struggle to identify the right solutions. Despite the availability of innovative technology, alignment between developers (digital providers) and users (brands and retailers) remains limited, especially when it comes to shared interests. One of the main reasons is the absence of a neutral, connecting party capable of effectively bridging these worlds. CAST is addressing this gap by offering a platform where digital providers, brands and retailers can meet. This collaboration fosters an environment where knowledge-sharing, visibility and innovation are central. The aim is to organise, share and ultimately oversee this collaboration at a European level. “Standardising product data requires long-term commitment across many levels of the market. It involves system adjustments and challenges, with benefits that may only become visible after several years. This cannot be achieved individually – it requires a joint, industry-wide effort,” says Marijn Verschure of CAST. “The higher goal must be efficiency and cost savings, ensuring healthy margins in the long term while safeguarding product quality for consumers.”

The partnering platforms are all established players in the national and international B2B market:

• FashionUnited E-business – Olaf Laarhoven, CEO
“We are pleased to collaborate with CAST, the leading trade platform for the footwear, sports and fashion industry. This partnership perfectly aligns with our mission to strengthen and connect the fashion and footwear industry digitally and more efficiently. By joining forces, we create new opportunities for brands and retailers to increase visibility and business potential,” says Olaf Laarhoven, CEO at FashionUnited E-business.

“With this partnership, we enhance the digital visibility of the footwear, sports and fashion industry. Together with CAST, we make it easier for brands and retailers to connect and do business.”

“This collaboration with CAST is an important step in reinforcing the industry. By combining physical and digital strengths, we provide brands and retailers with a sustainable platform to expand their networks and business.

• Colect.io – Robert Bolland, CCO & Co-owner
“This collaboration with CAST fits seamlessly with our mission to support the fashion and footwear industry in achieving sustainable digital transformation. For the past 15 years, we have been doing exactly that for more than 800 national and international brands, many of which are also represented at CAST. We are excited to use this shared ambition and knowledge exchange within the supply chain to help brands and retailers connect quickly and efficiently to innovative solutions. In this way, digitalisation not only becomes easier but also delivers clear added value for all stakeholders.” says Robert Bolland, CCO and Partner at Colect.io.

“With our software, specifically developed for the fashion and footwear industry, we enhance collaboration between brands and their retail partners. We do this by linking and supporting essential physical elements of the wholesale process with digital applications, making cooperation between suppliers and retailers smarter and more efficient. This results in significant cost savings and higher returns for both sides.”

• JOOR – Enno Knuth, Senior Account Executive
JOOR is thrilled to announce its exciting partnership with the leading Dutch Trade Platform CAST, to offer their brand partners a cutting-edge digital wholesale solution. This collaboration is set to transform digital wholesale operations, enabling brands to increase sales and make better decisions informed byreal-time data. By utilizing the platform, partners can boost B2B wholesale orders and save valuable time through streamlined processes. The solution allows them to efficiently manage their existing retailer relationships while simultaneously connecting with buyers across the world, all while benefiting from access to real-time sales analytics and reporting tools.” says Enno Knuth, Senior Account Executive at JOOR.

• We Want Shoes – Saydou Bangara, CEO & Founder
“We are very excited to enter into this partnership with CAST, one of the most important trade platforms in the Netherlands. We see strong synergies between CAST’s role as a hub for the industry and our digital wholesale marketplace. Together, we can complement each other’s strengths and deliver added value to both brands and retailers. With our services and digital reach, we are confident we can contribute meaningfully to this collaboration and help create new opportunities for all sides.”, says Saydou Bangara, CEO & Founder of We Want Shoes.

In addition, this initiative is widely supported within the industry by a number of important and leading organizations:

• INretail – Julian Aarts, Sector Specialist Fashion & Footwear
“We support this initiative and see clear value in accelerating processes across the supply chain, enabling more effective data-driven management, and improving traction for innovation” , says Julian Aarts, Sector Specialist Fashion & Footwear at INretail.

• Rexor - Niek Jansen, General Manager
"Rexor supports the initiative to establish a European unity within the footwear and leather goods industry. The company regards this as an important step to strengthen cooperation, better represent common interests, and enhance the industry’s position in an increasingly international market.", says Niek Jansen, General Manager at Rexor.

• GS1 Netherlands – Jeanet van der Stoel, Sector Lead Textile & Apparel
“As a neutral and non-profit organization, we believe that collaboration and making clear agreements on sharing and recording product data form the quiet driving force behind well-functioning companies. In this way, we make reliable product information accessible to all parties in the supply chain, to consumers, and to all systems. Together with organizations such as CAST, we support companies in confidently meeting the requirements of today and tomorrow, while contributing to a more sustainable and efficient world, ” says Jeanet van der Stoel, Sector Lead Textile & Apparel at GS1 Netherlands.

By bringing these parties together, CAST is creating a future-proof value chain where digital innovation and commercial success go hand in hand. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the ongoing professionalisation and digitalisation of the footwear, sports and fashion industry.

About CAST
CAST is the leading trade platform for footwear, sports and fashion. Since 1984, CAST has been the central hub in Nieuwegein, conveniently located along the A2 motorway, connecting supply and demand efficiently. The venue hosts more than 100 showrooms featuring both national and international brands. With fixed purchasing days each buying season, buyers can view new and ongoing collections and place orders in advance or from stock. In addition to facilitating various open days, CAST is the market leader in organising successful fashion events under the PREVIEW brand. Today, CAST proudly represents more than 1,000 national and international brands.

Organizations interested in joining the collective for supply chain collaboration at all levels are invited to contact the initiator, CAST. It is not the intention to exclude any parties, as long as they share the objective of working towards collaboration. The aim is to foster international cooperation with the joint goal of pursuing cost-reducing measures and greater efficiency in business processes.