Q&A
Independent Footwear Retailer of the Month
Cheryl Taylor talks to children’s footwear retailer Donna Marshall of Stampede, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Q&A
Name: Donna Marshall Shop: Stampede, Tunbridge Wells
Brands: Start-Rite, Ricosta, Bobux, Geox, Hummel, Skechers, Lurchi, Lelli Kelly, Hatley, Froddo
Q: How did you get into footwear? Tell us about your background and your current business? A: I took over the business in 2017 shortly after becoming a mother and sadly thereafter, being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. As a mother and with an academic background in anatomy, I believed the children’s footwear industry was a perfect fit for my career progression. This also allows me to adapt, using my strong team at Stampede as my Parkinson’s worsens.
Q: Tell us about your shop, the local area, your customers, and their requirements? A: I employ two full-time staff and 7-9 weekend rota staff at Stampede. I have a fantastic team who have been with me for a long time. I have very loyal customers as well who come from all areas of the country. Tunbridge Wells used to be quite an affluent area but, since the cost-of-living crisis
has hit, I have seen a change in my customer expenditure. Sadly, it is evident that customers hand more shoes down to younger siblings instead of buying new ones.
Q: How did Covid-19 impact your business? Tell us about your experiences, the difficulties you have encountered and how you have managed to overcome these? A: I am glad to be out of lockdown! I was exhausted from that period as I furloughed all my staff and personally fitted shoes on customer’s doorsteps wearing full PPE, plus I delivered online orders. I worked very long hours during that time.
Q: Do you have an online shop or website, and do you use social networking for business? A: During lockdown I would not have been able to trade without my
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