Q&A
Footwear Retailer of the Month Cheryl Taylor, Editor, talks to Marie Sauka of Marie’s Shoes, East Barnet, North London
Q&A
Name: Marie Sauka Shop(s): Marie’s Shoes
Brands: Superfit, Ricosta, Froddo, Bobux, Shoesme, Skechers, Birkenstock, Chipmunks and Slipfree Home town: Dungarvan, Ireland Family: Husband Joe, Daughter Katie
How did you get into footwear? Tell us about your background and your current business?
I started my employment career working in the hotel and hospitality world both in Ireland and New York. When I came to England I went to work in a children’s shoe shop called Strides, I always wanted to work with children and this provided the ideal opportunity for me. That was nearly 33 years ago. From day one I fell in love with the job and worked my way up to manager and then while working for another children’s shoe company I was given the role of area manager. Through those years I took many courses, with Start-Rite, Clarks and Ricosta.
When my last boss closed his business, I decided to open my own and have been doing that for nearly 10 ½ years. At the time it was very stressful, as I had no warning that my boss was going to close all his shops and on top of that it was in the years following the financial crisis. But, thanks to the help of my wonderful husband and the love of my then 10 year old daughter and a few reps that I started to build a rapport with, we got the shop up and running in five weeks. I continue to love what I do every day.
Where are your premises located and how many people do you employ? Do you have a high turnover of staff? Tell us about your shop(s), the local area, your customers and their requirements? My shop is located in East Barnet Village on the outskirts of North London. It is a small village but are fortunate that there is a huge community base in the surrounding areas. We are also blessed with many great schools. The village has had a children’s shoe shop for at least 40 years and my
customer base are very loyal. Though I am happy to say my customers come from far and wide. Word of mouth is very important as we know parents love to talk about their fitting experiences.
I work mostly on my own, but my daughter Katie is always around at the busiest times. I also have two nieces who help out when needed, both have had many years’ experience in fitting. So, my staff turnover is nil and has been for 10 years.
My customers love great fitting shoes, needless to say, but they must also be good quality and hard wearing. The brand I carry I trust to give me all those requirements and am delighted to say returns are also almost non-existent because of these brands.
18 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JUNE/JULY 2021
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
