Q&A
Do you have an online shop/website and do you use social networking for business? Was this active during the lockdown? I rely greatly on Facebook to communicate with customers and my daughter takes a lot of responsibility for that. We update our page regularly and feedback is very positive.
How is business going in your shop now? What’s selling well? Any particular trends? Which are your best selling footwear brands – and why? Since opening on the 12th of April business has been very positive and though I am only in a small village I have had over 100 new customers which I am very grateful for. Most those have down to other customers recommending me. I’ve even had three lots of customers drive up from Brighton which is amazing as that is a 2 ½ hour journey each way. My customers come from a wide area, places like Brentwood, Bedfordshire, Bangor, Bishops Stortford, Cornwall, Cambridge, Devon, Harpenden, Harrow, Ilford, Norwood, Oxford, Stoke Newton, Suffolk, Ware and Wales, this is just some of the areas.
Every time I ask where they have travelled from I am amazed at the distance parents will go to get good footwear and fitting for their children. Needless to say, sandals are selling really well now; trainers, canvas and even school shoes. My best four brands would be Ricosta, Superfit, Froddo and Bobux.
How important is shoe fitting to your business? Are you or any of your staff members of the Society Of Shoe Fitters?
Marie and Katie Sauka
How has Covid-19 impacted your business? Tell us about your experiences, the difficulties you have encountered and how you have managed/are managing/trying to overcome these? Yes, COVID-19 impacted on my business due to the fact that I do not have a website. From the start I wanted to stick to my ethos of fitting the children face to face, I truly believe in nearly all cases you need to fit the shoes to the feet. The health of the child’s foot is paramount to correctly fitted footwear.
During COVID I was able in a few cases to drop shoes to my customers, we achieved this by going up a size in the same style and my customers were happy to do this as was I. So, they contacted me on Facebook and we worked it out together. But, I do know many wanted to be fitted by me, and I was unable to do this, as it would have meant breaking the Government guidelines and we would not have been able to social distance, even though it meant lost sales I was not prepared to risk a fine from my local council or putting sales before peoples’ health. But, we survived and hopefully this great weather will keep the customers coming in. It was a very stressful time but onwards and upwards is how we go from now on and we can only hope that there are no more lockdowns.
Fitting is the most important part of my business; it is the main thing that brings the customers to out shop. The brands I sell help me to achieve this and I am constantly telling the importance of good shoes and good fitting. I have about a dozen podiatrists who send their clients to me for that reason, I also get of referrals from hospitals as well.
As regards to the Society of Shoe Fitters I am currently in the process of waiting on feedback from the Society.
Does your shop sell other items besides footwear, bags, gloves, tights, socks, below the ankle products?
I sell a small range of shoe care products and some socks, but my focus is footwear.
Do you use an EPOS (retail technology) system in your shop(s)? No, I don’t have an EPOS system. I’m very much a pen and paper woman, but I can go back to the day I opened my own shop over 10 years ago and still locate any style I sold and the date I sold it. I find this system works best for me. I am sure one day my daughter will drag me kicking into the 21st centuary, but I’m happy for now.
DOWNLOAD THE FOOTWEAR TODAY APP NOW SPONSORED BY
JUNE/JULY 2021 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • 19
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
