Q&A
Q: Do you use an EPOS (retail technology) system in your shop? A: We don’t use an EPOS system; we are still very traditional and use pen and paper to track what we are selling. Customers often comment on how they love to see us still using the same system from years ago… why change what isn’t broken!
Q: How do you select the different styles for your store? How do you know what your customers are looking for? A: We have our core lines that we just keep filling up as they always sell, and then I take on board what our Reps and Agents have to say and put in some new styles and colours to offer something different. But also if a certain theme from customers keeps coming up, I will look to see what I can get. I have certainly found in recent years that sometimes the brighter, riskier colours always seem to sell well. I also look at the style and how comfortable they will be, as at the end of the day people need to be comfy in their footwear because if they are uncomfortable it shows in their face.
Q: Which footwear trade shows do you attend? A: I used to attend MODA each February to have a look around at what manufacturers were offering for the coming season. It was also a good chance to catch up with Agents I may not have seen for a while too. I
always struggled to make the August show as it fell in the middle of the back-to-school season which is a busy time for us.
Q: Do you have any famous customers? A: We do have a few actually! There’s Tony Adams – ex-Arsenal and England footballer, Lou Macarri – ex-Swindon Town Football Manager, and Paul Sturrock – another ex-Swindon Town Football Manager. In fact, quite a few of the Swindon Town players have been in and purchased shoes! We’ve also served the comedian, Julian Clary.
Q: Have you made any changes to generate more business in these difficult times? A: After the pandemic I found that a lot of people were worried about travelling to the shop or even going out at all, so I started offering home visits… I spoke to customers to get an idea of what they were after – whether it be shoes, boots or slippers – and then I took as much stock as possible with me to their house and simply served them at home. I offered the same service and experience as if they were in the shop. I didn’t expect it to take off the way that it did, but I’m still going out regularly to serve people across Swindon now!
Q: How do you think the Government could best help footwear retailers at this difficult time? A: Quite simply, I don’t think the Government cares about small businesses. It’s not willing to help in any way, it just expects us to somehow find the money to cover all the extra costs they are implementing.
Q: What are your plans for the future? A: We will continue supplying customers of Swindon and surrounding areas with the best service we can, whilst fitting them up with some stylish and comfortable footwear for many years to come.
Contact
Blaylocks Shoes, 1-3 Bath Road, Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire. SN1 4AS.
admin@blaylocks-shoes.co.uk Tel: 01793 534271
www.blaylocks-shoes.co.uk
46 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JANUARY 2025
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