11. Which footwear/fashion shows do you attend, how do you rate them? I try to get to Moda at least once a year, it’s great because you can see all the suppliers under one roof and leisurely have a look around to see the trends for the next season.
12. Do you have a favourite footwear agent? Not sure I dare say…….Ha, they are all great and are always really helpful and supportive. I would particularly like to mention how great Laura West from The Society of Shoe Fitters has been right from the beginning when I first considered opening the shop Laura has been a massive help and a huge support - so a huge thank you from me!
13. Have you always had a passion for footwear? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you have a favourite pair? Shoes glorious shoes…yes I love them and probably have around 60 pairs, although now I need to buy stock for my shop that has kerbed my addiction, although having said that I’ve just added a size 6 to my Geox order, I couldn’t resist a pair of their gorgeous waterproof boots for winter. My excuse is its good for my customers to see me wearing the shoes that I stock in the shop.
and umbrellas, which are brilliant quality and price. Our best selling footwear brand is Pediped as an everyday shoe and I’m hoping that the size range will increase soon. For school shoes both kids and parents love Ricosta, as the quality is outstanding.
6. Does your shop sell other items besides footwear, bags, gloves, tights, socks, below the ankle products? When we opened we started to stock socks/tights, but they didn’t really
sell as well as I would have hoped. We sell quite a lot of slipper socks by Mocc-ons they are a really good price and parents love them! We also have the Hatley rainwear, which is great!
7. Any difficulties/problems? The only recent problem that I have encountered is one of my suppliers decided to sell one of the products that I stock on their website for less money than I bought it from them, so as you can imagine, I was not very happy about this and going forward we won’t be a stockist. I see the relationship with my suppliers as a partnership and would hope that they would work with me to overcome any issues or problems that may arise.
8. Any tips on stock offers, novel ideas for clearing lines or advice for independent shoe retailers who might be feeling the pinch? Our Amazon shop is working really well for us, although it’s a complicated
process to get the stock on there. Persevere though, because it’s well worth it. We also have a wooden rack which attaches to the front of our window outside and on dry days I put our sale stock on this. People can pick the shoes up and look at them without coming into the shop – although they do tend to come in the shop and have a look too!
9. What is your favourite men’s footwear brand/manufacturer – ditto ladies/children’s brand – and why? I love all the brands that we stock in our shop, otherwise I wouldn’t stock them! We are about to receive our Lelli Kelly shoes and I’m very excited, as we already have parents putting their name down and reserving their child’s size.
10. How do you select your products – which criteria do you use / what are your customers looking for? I always look for quality, style and price and try to stay in that order I am
always very price conscious, although when it comes to children’s shoes parents are always very aware that it’s important for their children to be wearing a good quality fitted shoe.
Contact: Nichola Sargeant, One Small Step. Tel: 01298 71537 E:
info@onesmallstepinbuxton.co.uk www.onesmallstepinbuxton.co.uk
14. Any famous customers? The local MP brings her sons to our shop for their shoes, if that counts!
I regularly follow Danni Minogue’s choice of shoe for her son as he has now been spotted in 2 Pediped styles that we stock in our shop. I try to get the magazine and keep a copy to show our customers.
15. And, the next step? Any plans for the future, new lines, retail systems/new technology, etc.? I’m really happy with where I’m at with my shop. I’m working really hard
to build relationships with local parents, nurseries, playgroups etc. I am delighted to have recently found out that I have won some free
advertising through the Local Business Accelerator, an initiative by the regional press industry to boost local businesses, fronted by the Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden and supported by the Business in You. So I’m hoping that this will help to promote One Small Step. We are currently re-vamping the shop in phases to include a seating area
for customers that are waiting to be served. We have just had new shelving which looks great and has created lots more shop floor space, it helps that my other half is a carpenter and has lots of exhibition experience, so I keep him busy at weekends with working on the shop!
MAY 2013 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36