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his month as I am retiring from footwear, but I thought I would chat about something serious first and then reflect on 34 years of retailing.


One of the things I have done is updated my Will, which in itself if is dull


and boring. Something that came out of it though was the fact with the copy of your Will (locked away of course) you should put all your account numbers, all your online and social media handles and passwords, including the password to get into your phone.


In the digital age it is going to save people lots of added grief. It will also


save your executors lots of time and the beneficiaries’ money as well. I have also given telephone numbers to the person who I believe will still be alive when in 30 years (hopefully) that a funeral needs organising.


I know this is not directly to do with footwear, but, I believe it is sound


advice, as I think everyone wants to make it as easy as possible for the people left behind.


End of the serious bits!! Looking back of the time in the footwear trade I have had lots of fun


moment. From the carefree days learning at Charles Clinkard under the guidance of Mr Farrer .It was there I learned how I wanted to do my business. Treating customers fairly and ensuring bills were paid on time. I also learned about making sure the security systems were tight especially around refunds and credit notes.


It was a great part of my life as I did not have the responsibility but I was


eager to learn as much as possible, I made a few big errors, including once failing to carbonise a customer credit card, fortunately we found the customer! This was long before PDQ machines. It was a humbling experience and taught me you must get the basics right.


Charles and David Farrer have dined out on the epileptic fit story for years,


it’s been told in many times (including this column!), so will not repeat it! Of course, no article of nostalgia would be complete without talking about my father. He was amazingly patient with me. I reckon I was patient with him as well, as no one would say he was open to change. Having said that however, if you prepared your argument well, he would listen. Half-baked ideas were decimated very quickly.


Turning to people in the trade whom I have come to like over the years:


Michael Bloom at Top2Toe, who sold us our stock control system has been a good friend and a font of knowledge. Turning to the early days Roy Sharp at Lotus was the most amazing


salesman, he nick-named me Percy after my comment about "Perceived Value", He could sell better after a drink than most people sober!


The two agents that I would like to mention are Steven Frost whose dad


had a great relationship with mine. It is curious the apples never fall far from the tree. While I never socialised as a rule, now I am retiring I am sure we will have the odd meal and bottle of wine! He would have rather my mum had come alone as he would have sold more, but he wishes more people had a budget to spend and did not over spend.


The other agent I liked buying from was Stewart Chanter, he knows his


product but would never try to oversell. This trust between retailer and supplier is vital for the well-being of


both businesses. I also built up a good relationship with Chris Gorrod at Rieker,who would


always tongue in cheek(I hope) say I was barred from his stand. On a serious note we had some excellent discussions and hope we both shaped policy based on real experience!


I mentioned Charles Clinkard earlier, there was a really funny story at a


trade show where He and I were having some silly banter and winding each other up. He had a new buyer with him and she was so shocked someone would tease her boss. Her face was a picture, but she had no idea we had known each other for about 25 years. Subsequently, she teased me when we met at the shows!


When I started in footwear retail, mobile phones were like bricks and the


web was found in the corner of your shop. Many good suppliers have disappeared, from Bortland and Norvic, via Nil


simile, Equity and Elmdale. K was swallowed by Clarks. It will always be like this. Mind you the biggest change has been the number of shoes that are imported. When I started I reckon we bought 80% from the UK and the rest from overseas now it is probably the opposite.


Mostly things have changed for the better, mind you the high street is very


different today than in the 1980s.We are no longer just competing with a retailer in our town or the next town, it is a global competition. The genie is out and it will be like this for the foreseeable future. The only way to compete is good product, fair pricing and excellent service.


One sales pitch before I conclude, if anyone wishes to purchase shop


stands and price tickets at really knock down prices, please give me a call! To conclude, if you have learnt one thing from my articles, when you buy


shoes as a retailer, pay your bills on time. That is the deal! I wish everyone well as they continue to capture their market. Finally, thank you to Footwear Today Editor, Cheryl Taylor, for giving me a


space in magazine to write over the past 8 years and, of course, to everyone who has read my ramblings, both the serious and the frivolous!!


Message from the Editor:


“I’m sure we would all like to wish David every success and happiness in the years ahead. As many of you already know, David may be retiring from the footwear trade, but has already has established another successful career in music management, which doubtless he will be pursuing.


“i would like to add a personal thank to you David for all your support


over the years. Your ‘ramblings’, as you call them, have cheered me up, indeed made me laugh out loud, on countless occasions! And, I know, because they’ve told me, that your wise financial advice has helped many new footwear retailers. Your Money Shop page has become an integral and much valued component of our magazine. YOU WILL BE MISSED!” Cheryl Taylor, Editor, Footwear Today Magazine.


Anyone from the footwear trade who fancies writing a column for the magazine about finance, the highs and lows of running a shoe shop or footwear agent’s tales from the road, please let me know. Contact: cheryltayloreditor@googlemail.com or 07518 346996


MAY/JUNE 2019 • FOOTWEAR TODAY


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