BEST SELLERS
What the retailers had to say
“Suppliers are trading on-line these days - yes, I know "that’s the way things are going now" but we, as qualified shoe fitters, cannot in all conscience do that, as to sell fit- ted footwear over the internet is not only immoral but impossible! However, the savvy shopper is using our expertise to gain the correct size for any style/brand and in- stead of buying from the shop they are going on-line to see if they can get a better deal! All very well for them but they are totally unaware that no two styles/brands fit the same and there is no standardisation of shoe sizing; but when yet another shop has closed down, because of lack of trade, where will they go then? And more importantly what hope for the nation's feet, with children's feet being damaged by badly fitting, internet/supermarket, footwear? “Come on all you Suppliers out there. You want us to promote and sell your brand, which we are more than happy to do, yet you pull the rug from under us by selling the same product on-line and usually cheaper because you’ve cut out the middle man – US!” Lesley Waddy, Best Feet First.
January was so so, a little up on last year, but BIG mark downs!! Big Brands only performing at large discounts. Why do we in the Footwear trade keep shooting ourselves in the “FOOT”?? Sales are starting TOO early, WE are conditioning the consumer to wait, some “jackass” will always start their sales TOO early, thus creating a knock on effect. Could parliament pass a law to start the January SALES in January, NOT November !!! Bernard O’Brien.
In response to last month’s question in Best Sellers from a retailer about suppliers of boots with different width fittings, Nicola Phillips, Footwear International Tel: +44 (0)116 259 7427, advises: “Softwaves offer 5 different width fitting on some of their long leg boots. From XS 30.6cms top width, calf width 3l.6 cms to XL top width 40.6cms, calf width 41.6cms. Standard fitting is M 34.6cms and 35.6cms, with elastic 36.6cms and 37.6cms.” David Coles of Tamaris, Tel 07810 560885, has also replied: “We have recognised the fitting issue with long boots. We offer a range of both extra wide and extra slim calf fit- ting boots. We have also recognised that consumer taste has changed in line with fashion trends, the look for both boots and clothing is a much tighter profile. In long boots we are ensuring that we have a snug fit around both the ankle and the calf.”
This month Laura West, Secretary of the Society of Shoe Fitters,has a question for manufacturers:”Are your shoes Chrome free? If so please contact, Laura, as the SSF often receive requests from the public suffering from allergies and would like to give them greater assistance.”
Best Selling Footwear Brands Autumn/Winter 2013
32 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MARCH 2014
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