April 16, 2025 Industry news
For 145 years, Loake Shoemakers have produced some of the world’s finest footwear from their factory in Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Renowned for high-quality, the company has built a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and today sells its products through multiple channels. This includes its e-commerce platform, own retail outlets and internationally via department stores.
While Loake’s production methods and timeless designs are rooted in a rich history, it’s commitment to quality, sustainability providing the best possible customer experiences are now being strengthened with a forward-thinking approach to digital innovation and transparency.
The challenge
In light of forthcoming EU regulations mandating Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for textiles and apparel, Loake faced the challenge of preparing for compliance as efficiently and seamlessly as possible.
Expected to become operational in 2027, the DPP requires businesses to provide comprehensive access to digital information about their products, covering aspects such as origins, materials, sustainability information and disposal guidance.
By functioning as highly versatile digital label, the DPP allows a vast array of reliable sustainability information to be seamlessly shared among all relevant parties.
For businesses, DPPs can provide data-driven insights that can boost efficiencies, support more informed decision making and help reduce a products environmental impact.
They also offer platform to showcase sustainability initiatives and circular business models, enhancing consumer trust and building brand loyalty.
DPPs can also be scanned by consumers, providing them with greater transparency about a product's origins, its impact, materials used and how it can be reused or recycled.
For Loake —a heritage brand with a complex product portfolio— this presented a significant operational challenge.
We needed a solution that would allow us to get ready for the Digital Product Passport as painlessly as possible, without disrupting our production processes or compromising on quality.”
Ian Smith
Sustainability manager at Loake Shoemakers
The solution
To address this challenge, Loake partnered with GS1 UK partner, Buyerdock to implement an automated DPP solution across its entire product range using QR codes powered by GS1.
Each Loake product was tagged with a unique QR code powered by GS1, ensuring interoperability and global compatibility. When a customer scans the QR code using their smartphone, they are taken to a digital landing page associated with that specific product. Each page provides detailed information on…
The product’s origin – where and how the shoes were manufactured
Material composition – information about the materials used and their sustainability credentials
Sustainability efforts – details surrounding Loake's environmental initiatives, such as waste reduction and sourcing ethical leather
Care instructions – guidelines for maintaining the product to extend its lifespan.
EU packaging compliance –automatically generated recycling symbols for proper disposal, especially important for meeting regularity demands
The system, powered by Buyerdock’s platform, dynamically manages product information that is seamlessly generated within Loake’s Product Information Management (PIM) system. This enables real-time updates and compliance with sustainability regulations.
Ian Smith, sustainability Manager at Loake Shoemakers, said: “we are using the Buyerdock DPP to provide our customers with comprehensive product information for every pair of Loake shoes.
"This aligns with our values of quality, craftsmanship and transparency, and we believe it will enhance the customer experience.”
The benefits
This approach not only enhances customer engagement, trust and transparency, it also future-proofs Loake against the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations.
Loake’s Product Information Management (PIM) system now automatically generates QR codes for each product, reducing the time and effort associated with manual processes and ensuring data accuracy. Integration with Buyerdock allows seamless embedding of essential product information within QR codes powered by GS1. This will be crucial for brands with multiple thousands of SKUs.
Loake is now exploring new production methods, such as woven labels, for applying QR codes during manufacturing. The company also plans to leverage the Buyerdock consumer app to launch a loyalty scheme that will deepen post-purchase engagement.
The partnership has already delivered tangible results. Loake has signed an exclusive agreement with Buyerdock to use their DPP solution, ensuring compliance with evolving EU regulations while the automation of QR code generation has improved operational efficiency. More importantly, the provision of comprehensive product information via QR codes powered by GS1 is now empowering consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions and extend the life of their footwear, reinforcing Loake’s commitment to sustainability.
By harnessing QR codes powered by GS1 and automated DPP solutions, Loake is not only preparing for the future but also setting a benchmark for responsible and transparent business practices in the footwear industry.
Loake is a brand rich in heritage and we are really pleased they have chosen Buyerdock as their DPP solution. The automation of our DPP and on-demand creation of QR codes is crucial for brands with multiple thousands of SKUs.”
Kevin Dixie
Co-founder of Buyerdock
