NEWS S.S.F. Footwear & Fitting Course updated for 2019 students
Whatever your age or industry there is always something new to learn, but there is a general apathy in footwear retail. Retailers complain that online has reduced footfall, and proven that many big companies are shooting themselves in the foot going this route, but if you go into a retail outlet without a warm welcome, if staff look miserable, not keen to serve and cannot give you appropriate and interesting information about the goods they are selling, it is far too easy to spend your money elsewhere. A child’s feet are like little bonsai trees, restrict their natural growth and their development will be impeded and at worse deformed, however there are still shops selling children’s shoes who have had no formal training, maybe just a basic supplier session. Some cite cost, some think they know everything, and others simply cannot be bothered. Very few industries involved with children’s health, would be allowed to get away with it. But it is not just children being short-served,
seniors are too. There are some fantastic footwear brands catering for mature and somewhat ‘difficult’ feet to fit, but they’re being restricted to mail order due to the lack of retail outlets prepared to specialise. The Society of Shoe Fitters has for nearly 60
years provided the industry with a professional shoe fitting qualification and membership. On the advice of Minister George Freeman and MPs on both sides, the S.S.F . is now a trade charity. “Our aim has always been to serve the public and provide a service to ensure comfort and long-term mobility - the only great shame is it is not compulsory” says Rosemary Gray – President. The benefits of our charity and training are vast to both trade and public, selling shoes that won’t come back to people who will, reducing costs for the NHS, and more recently environmentally – reducing landfill. We promote our members and
Shah Nawaz Khan, Hotter, SSF ‘Student of the Year 2017’receiving his award from Laura West, SSF Secretary.
associates at every opportunity as well as providing the trade with National Shoe Fitting Week – a chance to network and highlight the importance of personal service. The S.S.F. Footwear & Fitting Course has been
updated for 2019 students and welcomes newcomers to footwear and those who have been in the trade for years. Student of the Year in 2017 Shah Nawaz Khan, had been working with footwear most of his life (a technician at the Hotter factory). Shah said he had learned a huge amount from pursuing the course. The previous year our winner Ryan Clements particularly enjoyed the ‘problem feet module’ and went on to learn more about podiatry. His boss James North of North Shoes invested even more in him, creating a clinic as part of his footwear chain. And our winner back in 2016 – Rebecca Thorne a bespoke shoemaker, became a lifetime member
and shareholder in William Bird’s bespoke shoemaking company Bill Bird Shoes. Your staff may not be this ambitious, but if our Footwear & Fitting Course helps them become more confident and enthusiastic, their productivity should improve your business. The education of staff is never wasted, and it
can be offset against tax. You can create a ‘three- year contractual repayment plan’ for a longer term investment. But for those reluctant to learn, are they really the calibre of staff you want representing you?
For more information contact: E:
secretary@shoefitters-uk.org
WORTMANN GROUP BREXIT PRICE GUARANTEE
Giovanni Lacatena , Managing Director of the Wortmann Schuh-Holding KG which includes Tamaris, Marco Tozzi, Caprice, Jana and s’Oliver footwear brands is pleased to announce support for the UK market. The Wortmann group will deliver all orders for the Autumn Winter 19 season with the indicated prices, the conditions will be the same as in the
10 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • FEBRUARY 2019
past delivered & duty paid. Customers can therefore rest assured that the confirmed order price is the price that will be invoiced regardless of Brexit negotiations. This move demonstrates the commitment to support all our customers during the negotiations.
www.footweartoday.co.uk
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