// Dune will continue to back high heels as a product once lockdown eases
// Despite the popularity of loungewear, Dune said people will still want to dress up
// From April, Dune will add a small range of occasion shoes to its current casual mix
Dune has said it is continuing to back high heels as a key item once non-essential retailers begin to reopen in April.
The shoe retailer said it will back high heels despite the trend has been towards flats even prior to Covid-19.
The pandemic has led to an increase in loungewear as people stay and work from home.
READ MORE: Dune launches CVA aimed at slashing rent costs
Dune said it is undeniable that “a year of the pandemic has reduced our appetite for high heels and dressier styles in favour of flats, trainers, and slippers”.
From next month, it will add a small range of occasion shoes to its current more casual mix.
“I think most retailers are going with an ‘only flat and trainers push’, but we will stay true to our heritage and continue to offer a special collection of heels for summer,” Dune global buying director Debra Bloom said.
“We have a range of occasion shoes going from April onwards. It is a smaller mix than normal, but we saw demand even through lockdown 2020 for special shoes. We want to get people excited to get dressed up again.
“We all know that heels are a huge part of looking and feeling good. Once we’re feeling the benefits of the vaccine and lockdown is over, we think everyone is going to want to go out to events and parties and get dressed up again.”
Last month, Dune launched a major restructuring deal to secure lower rents after lockdowns had a “severe” impact on its finances.
The footwear retailer, which was founded in 1992 by chief executive Daniel Rubin, is aiming to achieve this through the launch of a CVA.
Dune currently operates 43 standalone stores and 175 concessions and employs around 1200 people.
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