NEWS
Footwear & Foot Orthoses Seminar June20th 2018 at the Kettering Conference Centre, Northants.
The Society of Shoe Fitters and Children’s Foot Health Register have been instrumental in trying to network health professionals with the footwear industry. At one point it was taboo for podiatrists to sell footwear, there was a perceived conflict of interest, but the more enlightened saw that the public needed no help whatsoever in ruining their feet. All the time self-fitted, cheaply made footwear floods our shores and unsuitable fashions take priority over comfort, podiatrists will always fill their clinics. Although health professionals seriously
interested in footwear pursue the S.S.F. Footwear & Fitting Course, many thousands of others still speak out about shoes without really knowing much about them, or how the trade ticks. They assume a foot is more complicated and interesting than a shoe, but once they realise how complicated footwear is and how professional shoe fitting differs to just measuring a foot, their enthusiasm grows and they are in a very powerful position to educate the public. As independent shoe retailers have been pushed off the high street in favour of large fashion stores, more and more podiatrists are looking to add a retail arm to their clinics. Whereas a good many recommended a training shoe that fits where it touches, the Society has taught them that there are good shoes available to suit most feet, it is just that they are found in ‘proper shoe shops’ who may not be in obvious locations. S.S.F. podiatry members have expressed how surprised they are to discover how many hundreds of good brands there actually are, and just how self-destructive our industry has become. The most common scenario in clinics is this… The client shuffles into clinic with a pained
expression and footwear that should have been consigned to landfill within the first few days of wear. Their shoes are either misshapen and hanging off their feet – or so tight and constricting ‘because the right length slipped’. If the clinician dares to mention their footwear, the general response is ‘Well I like them and they were cheap, how could they cause so much pain?’. The irony is the same person will happily pay the £40 consultation fee to find out why they are in agony; but would not have considered spending the same amount on a decent pair of shoes. When the client is informed they have plantar fasciitis because the soles and socks of the shoes are simply cardboard which has disintegrated so there is no shock-absorption under the foot, they still look at the offending cheap footwear lovingly, like a friend who is ill. The flip side of this is when someone has had a ‘decent’ pair of shoes and worn them day in and day out for 4-5 years and they are simply exhausted from wear and tear, if there is a problem the wearer will glare at their shoes as if they are monsters and it is all their fault and still try to get a refund. Unfortunately, those with a severe hereditary
condition simply accept their shoes will never be glamorous unless they can afford bespoke, and those with long-term damage wish their parents had looked after their feet and had them professionally fitted as they grew up. These are anecdotes many clinician friends
have related and they are delighted that the Footwear & Fitting Course illustrates how a quality well-made, mainstream shoe can be adapted to fit a slight foot health problem using minimal orthoses. At the same time our industry boasts brands that are more specialised for more complicated foot issues too, and for those with
greatly deformed feet then our S.S.F. bespoke shoemakers are much needed to work their magic. Working together is key and can only benefit all concerned. The S.S.F. encourages clinicians intending to
sell footwear to visit MODA, the next exhibition is 5th – 7th August 2018 to see the vast range of good footwear available. We now encourage the footwear industry to meet up with health professionals at this Seminar. Working with the team at Professional Events
and in collaboration with the Healthy Footwear Guide, it is hoped that there will be something for everyone at the Seminar and it is affordable at only £30 +vat (£36). You can choose either the morning (9.15 a.m. – 12.15 a.m.), or afternoon session (1.15 p.m. – 4.30 p.m.), and there will be a large number of stands in the exhibition (still some available – ask for the S.S.F rate) too. Let’s hope there is a lot more networking and an exchange of stories, taking place on the day!
To book a ticket or Stand for the Seminar Tel: 01625-521239
or E:
info@professionalevents.co.uk
To view the amazing line-up of speakers go to
www.professionalevents.co.uk
For info regarding the Footwear & Fitting Course contact:
secretary@shoefitters-uk.org
Jones Bootmaker joins the Pavers family Endless purchased the business and assets
from Administrators ten months earlier in an attempt to save as much of the business as possible and retain Jones Bootmaker as an independent operator. Despite substantial investment and best efforts, the recent adverse retail conditions have meant that the Jones business could not be turned around and needed to be part of a larger Group.
Pavers Limited has confirmed the acquisition of Jones Bootmaker from Endless. The deal includes 42 out of the 47 Jones Bootmaker stores,
jonesbootmaker.com and the Jones brand, safeguarding the jobs of 389 employees, but excludes the Head Office and five stores.
An Endless spokesman said: “Jones Bootmaker is a well-established retailer with a strong heritage and brand. We are pleased to have been able to save 389 jobs and ultimately transfer 42 of the 47 store estate to a strong family business and wish the business well. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a sale of business that retained the Head Office.”
6 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • MARCH/APRIL 2018
Stuart Paver, Managing Director of Pavers said: “All of us at Pavers are happy to be able to secure the future of hundreds of loyal employees and welcome them into the Pavers family. The Jones stores and people are a huge asset to Pavers and we look forward to developing the business, and the people, over the decades to come. Pavers is an independent family business, as
Jones used to be, and we want to re-establish these traditional family values, returning the focus at Jones to exceptional product and friendly customer service – hallmarks of what we try so hard to achieve at Pavers. Our plan is to grow and develop the Jones
Bootmaker brand and product as a distinct offering separate from the existing Pavers retail business. We believe the Jones brand has an exciting future and are eager to invest in this.”
www.footweartoday.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
