NEWS
Worse still they will insist their child wears the shoes despite ill fitting. Not only have you created a problem for the innocent child, but the parent wont believe you and wont shop with you in the future…worse case scenario they come storming in asking you to refund the cost of returning the shoes and compensate them for the resultant problems.
On an optimistic note, if retailers were members of the S.S.F., gave the
correct advice, made a charge, handed the parent a disclaimer and provided their services in a slightly different way – similar to a chiropodist or Reflexologist (white coat optional), would the public realise that footwear can be dangerous (particularly for children) and should be handled professionally? Who knows, but it will be interesting to see what happens to the retailer prepared to try.
Ellie Dickins the SSF President commented, ‘Sadly it is impossible to garner overriding support for anything worthwhile. The SSF warned what would happen if certain brands sold online and it has. The industry has a wonderful footwear exhibition – MODA that the finest suppliers exhibit at, but still many retailers do not attend. We have a fabulous Footwear Awards event that should be supported by the entire industry, but numbers could be better. Brands run competitions that retailers do not bother to enter. Our organisation - The Society of Shoe Fitters despite a lack of funds, is opening the door to all shops to join in National Shoe Fitting Week (w/c 12th April) – but how many multiples, suppliers, even small shops will be bothered to do anything about it? It’s their loss, those of us who do will reap rewards, those that don’t even try simply moan.
We hope that many New Year resolutions were….’let’s get involved in the
industry that puts butter on our bread’. Let’s support our trade associations, events and work together. Well what have you got to lose? A trouble shared is a trouble halved….and who knows, the brave Indie trialling the charge initiative may well be paving a way for us all to profit!
For more information about
National Shoe Fitting Week go online:
www.shoefitters-uk.org
or email:
secretary@shoefitters-uk.org or visit the SSF stand at MODA in February.
Promoted by:
Pavers Shoes present yuletide rescue for 14 Barratts stores!
Multi-Channel Retailer Pavers Shoes ends the year on a high and steps
up for further expansion with the immediate acquisition of 14 Barratt’s stores located across Northern and Southern Ireland, London and the Channel Islands.
Following the announcement of footwear specialist Barratt’s fall into
administration in November, Paver’s positive approach to growth continues, adding 14 stores to their already 100 strong retail portfolio. The move will consolidate its position as one of the largest footwear retailers in the UK and Ireland with over 1,200 employees allowing their customers to shop more conveniently in a number of key cities.
Stuart Paver MD commented; “Pavers are happy to be able to secure the
future of over 150 loyal employees especially just before Christmas and welcome them into the Pavers family. We are currently looking at another 5 to 10 stores and hope we can announce more positive news within the next few weeks. This acquisition will be the bridgehead that allows us to bring Pavers amazingly comfortable footwear to a large number of high streets over the next few years.”
York Based Pavers Shoes has continued to grow since it was founded in
1971 by Cathy Paver who still works full time in the company, it was only on the 1st November this year that the company opened its 100th store in the newly constructed London Designer Outlet.
The business continues to challenge and seek new ways to thrive, launching a new website in September 2013, a TV channel Paversshoestv in April 2011, the only single product shopping channel in the world and successfully dominating the Home Shopping Catalogue market.
Pavers wishes to acknowledge they were assisted by Ernst & Young and
Gordons Solicitors during this successful acquisition.
www.pavers.co.uk/skyguide 659
Manufacturers are your shoes Chrome free? If so please contact the Society of Shoe Fitters as they often receive
requests from the public suffering from allergies and would like to give them greater assistance.
Email:
secretary@shoefitters-uk.org In step with your business
For logistics services that deliver results through true partnerships, call our head of sales and marketing, Vanessa Hope, on 08000 8555 10.
Freight – E-fulfilment – Pick & Pack – Processing – Ozone Treatment – Bonded Warehousing – Transport – Returns Management
www.torque.eu forward together
8 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
• JANUARY 2014
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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