How important is shoe fitting to your business? Are you or any of your staff members of the Society Of Shoe Fitters? Whilst we do carry a good representation of fitting product, I feel it is becoming a separate type of business unless your store is big enough to departmentalise and segregate this area. It’s hard to be” all things to all Ladies” these days. The fashion lady doesn’t want to be sitting with and shopping with the fitting lady (in the same space) - it’s a tough one.
Do you use an EPOS (retail technology) system in your shop(s)? Yes, we use Ivend/SAP/Tableau
Any difficulties/problems? Always problems with EPOS systems but nothing out of the ordinary. It’s a solid platform but requires huge input time as product set up is
very detailed.
Any tips on stock offers, novel ideas for clearing lines or advice for independent shoe retailers who might be feeling the pinch? Every operation has different needs and ways of buying and clearing stock, but I think buy light, buy tight and don’t be too anxious to reduce stock. Reduce your time spent in sale and keep the reductions to the lowest possible percentage. But to do this your inventory levels must be spot on.
What is your favourite men’s footwear brand/manufacturer – ditto ladies/children’s brand – and why? Men’s is Mezlan, but I’m biased there as we are the distributors- it’s mid-range price ticket ¤150-¤180 great quality, blake stitched construction , good classic styling, also bugatti is hard to beat for price /value and great new styling season on season.
How do you select your products – which criteria do you use / what are your customers looking for? Styling, Price/value, Quality, Fit, Size format (no American sizing), competition, duplication.
Which footwear/fashion shows do you attend, how do you rate them? Milan and Moda .. we look in Milan and tend to buy at Moda. It’s impossible to buy start to finish in Milan.
Do you have a favourite footwear agent you can tell us about? I’m not getting into that one…… too many great guys/ladies that I have huge admiration for and also some are great friends.
Have you always had a passion for footwear? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you have a favourite pair? Of course, I have a huge passion for shoes –always had. You have no business in this business unless you love the product. I just finished reading Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, that’s the kind of passion I admire. I have 30-40 pairs on the go but tend to revert to slip on, navy suede all leather as a “back stop”.
And, the next step? Any plans for the future, new lines, retail systems/new technology, etc.? The “Holy Grail” for me would be the perfect buy… miss nothing, duplicate nothing, see everything.
Contact: David O’Dwyer,
E.dodwyer@
shoelinkirl.com T: +353 21 494 9778 E:
sales@shoesuite.ie
FEBRUARY 2019 • FOOTWEAR TODAY
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