Q&A
Q: Which footwear events do you attend? And do you have a favourite footwear agent you can tell us about? A: I go to Birmingham for the Footwear Today Live show in February and September. I do enjoy going to this show as you get a real feel for the new fashions and trends coming in, and you get the chance to sit and chat with other retailers to compare the brands and what’s best to choose. I think my favourite agent is Russel Gallivant, who represents the brand
Vionic. Russell has made sure I know what is selling and what isn’t and he offers support and guidance to help make my business work for me. If I can’t get to the shoe shows, he will always make sure I still get to see the stock – whether through zoom meetings or personally at my shop.
Q: Have you always had a passion for footwear? Do you own many pairs of shoes? A: I do love shoes! I finally got bought a pair of Jimmy Choo boots a few years back. My partner would say I have too many pairs of shoes, but as I say to him, I have to have new pairs to show of the stock that I’m selling!
Q: How do you think the Government could best help footwear retailers at this difficult time?
A: I do believe business rates should be dropped. We already pay rent to our landlords; not all businesses have one as kind and as helpful as myself, who was an absolute saint during COVID and is currently now helping me to fight on and stay open. VAT could also be reduced somehow or allow us to spread the cost. Any help in that sense would be most welcome!
Q: Do you have any plans for the future? A: My plan for the future is just to hang on and try and survive! At the moment sadly I am working on a month-by-month plan, but I am a fighter so watch this space!
Contact
Contact: Teresa Hutchinson Soles with Heart 3 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent. ME19 6JU Tel: 01732 845 292
www.soleswithheart.co.uk
56 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • FEBRUARY 2024
DOWNLOAD THE FOOTWEAR TODAY APP NOW SPONSORED BY
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 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
