consumers in challenging times to search out those shops focussing on both these requirements. Our best selling footwear brands are Ecco – providing quality of product,
technological innovation, instock support and staff training and Rieker whose keen prices and comfort fit resonate well with our customers.
6. Does your shop sell other items besides footwear, bags, gloves, tights, socks, below the ankle products? In the shoe shop we stock ladies Falke socks having decided that the higher price point of this brand is where both we and our customers are more comfortable. We also have a substantial and rapidly growing shoe-care offer which includes everything from shoehorns and polishes to insoles and waterproofing products.
7. Any difficulties/problems? Not having a big enough shop floor area on busy days
8. Any tips on stock offers, novel ideas for clearing lines or advice for independent shoe retailers who might be feeling the pinch? If you or your staff aren’t qualified shoe fitters take the plunge, it builds
your own confidence and certainly that of your customers. Add-ons can be a real source of extra revenue and once you build trust
with your customers these can be a relatively easy additional sale. We frequently spray customers purchases with the appropriate protective product FOC and even offer that service on an ongoing FOC basis.
9. What is your favourite men’s footwear brand/manufacturer – ditto ladies/children’s brand – and why? Personally I’m a devotee of RM Williams boots but as we only sell these in our main shop I’ll have to go for the fantastic fit and comfort of Ecco. As I don’t actually wear ladies shoes I asked Vanessa our shoe shop manager for her choice and she plumps for Ecco as well – and no, Ecco haven’t paid us to say that!
Jim Luck from
Luck of Louth won the Society of Shoe Fitters Student Shoe Fitter of the Year
10. How do you select your products – which criteria do you use / what are your customers looking for? Comfort, style, quality and value are our watchwords when it comes to
choosing stock. When it comes to what our customer’s want they demand first-rate service, often on a one-to-one basis, product knowledge and a smile, maybe even a bit of humour sometimes– I never cease to be amazed how some shops survive in spite of themselves and their staff!
11. Which footwear/fashion shows do you attend, how do you rate them? Moda is the main show for us as it provides a terrific overview of the
mainstream footwear industry, is easy to access and is long enough at 3 days to do most of what we want.
12. Do you have a favourite footwear agent? They are all great. No, really, in the footwear industry it is an undiluted pleasure to deal with the agents, they are all characters in their own ways.
13. Have you always had a passion for footwear? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you have a favourite pair? Well I would do wouldn’t I, why else would I have opened a shoe shop? I
couldn’t possibly disclose how many pairs of shoes I own, let’s just say it’s more than Julie my wife! Favourite pair has to be my dark brown suede RM Williams boots – if any of you spot me at Moda you can guarantee I’ll be wearing them on at least one day.
14. Any famous customers? A certain Mrs. Cookson, aka Barbara Dickson, the singer. Always a delight to deal with and very supportive of us and Louth in general.
15. And, the next step? Any plans for the future, new lines, retail systems/new technology, etc.? Another or bigger shop?! Who knows, 7 years ago we didn’t even stock shoes.
Luck of Louth LUCK OF ESTABLISHED 1985 LOUTH
Tel: 01507 600768 or 01507 607746 Email:
enquiries@luckoflouth.co.uk www.luckoflouth.com
MARCH 2013 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
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