Sole Trader’s move comes at an early stage in lease-term discussions, but Clarks has pulled out with a deal almost agreed.
Agency SGM, which represents Silverburn owner Retail Property Holdings, has confirmed that discussions between the landlord and both retailers have ceased.
However, SGM director Donald Syme blamed that the decision by both brands is more indicative of a problematic market than Silverburn itself.
He said: “It’s a reflection on the footwear market. Shoe retailers have had it particularly hard over the past six months.” However, sources close to Sole Trader said it had withdrawn because the company had concluded that the scheme was not right for the business and that Glasgow has sufficient shopping space already.
Specialist footwear retailers have faced toughening conditions in the past few years and lost market share to fashion retailers. Last year, specialists accounted for 41.8 per cent of the market, compared with 42.9 per cent the previous year. Over the past five years they have lost the equivalent of£356 million in sales.
At Silverburn, there is a significant specialist footwear presence already. Schuh, Office, Barratts, Hobbs and Kurt Geiger all have stores in the centre, which opened in November.
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