NEWS


Independent footwear retailer marks 100 years A


n independent footwear retailer based in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire is celebrating 100 years in business! Trading within the same family and also in the same building for 98 years, William Bruce Footwear Specialists Ltd is marking this momentous milestone across the year by giving away a free pair of shoes to one of its customers each month.


When a customer makes a purchase in the store, known as WM Bruce Shoes, their details are entered into a free prize draw for the whole of 2023. In January the retailer gave away a pair of Hogl shoes, in February a pair of Ecco shoes, and this month it was Rieker Shoes. “We have chosen a different brand for each month of the year,” explained Dale Bruce, Co- Director of WM Bruce Shoes. “So far the two ladies who have won the prizes came into the shop to try on and collect their preferred pair of shoes.


“We have been posting on social media each month regarding our prize draw giveaway. We started telling people about it at the start of the year, and of course those that entered early will have more chances to win!”


To also raise the company’s profile and


awareness of its big birthday celebrations, Mrs Bruce and her husband Steven (pictured on the right) – who is the fourth generation of the Bruce family now running the business – have sponsored and attended a charity dinner in aid of the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. The pair have also provided raffle prizes to local primary schools and sponsored the local football team with an advertisement board alongside its pitch, with other charitable donations throughout the year.


“We are very proud of the quality leather brands we stock, and also very thankful to our many loyal customers,” continued Mrs Bruce. “We have achieved so much through all the ups and downs over the many years and we are certainly very grateful to all our wonderful staff members, who have felt like family even though not all of them have been!”


The second and third Bruce generations at the shop


William Bruce, Steven’s Great Grandfather, opened the footwear store in 1923 and passed the business down through the generations. Today, Steven and Dale work in the shop daily alongside three part-time staff members, but


it has very much been a family-orientated business with Steven’s mum still helping out when needed, even though she retired in 2012! Mrs Bruce added: “We still run a very traditional independent shop with a lot of the same daily runnings as our previous generations. We focus on customer service and specialised fitting, working alongside our colleagues, always taking time with every customer to suit their individual needs.”


BFA holds its first ever Sustainability Summit T


he British Footwear Association (BFA) held its first ever Sustainability Summit this month in Birmingham, which brought together businesses across the footwear sector from manufacturing and sourcing to retail and everyone in between. BFA CEO, Lucy Reece-Raybould, commented: “It’s time to be a part of the most significant conversation in the UK footwear industry. This event was a true collaboration of industry leaders, making a positive impact, and supporting the growth of our sector.” This is a new initiative from the BFA bringing together businesses at all stages of their environmental, sustainable and governance journey. The Summit featured several expert


international footwear sustainability champion and Senior VP of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), Andy Polk. Speakers were from brands and organisations including Dr. Martens; Eurofins BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd; Vivobarefoot; Sustainable Leather Foundation; Leather Naturally; and Allbirds, plus many more.


presentations and discussions on current key sustainability issues and provided a 2023 ESG outlook to help companies better plan for challenges and opportunities.


The relaxed conference event was hosted by DOWNLOAD THE FOOTWEAR TODAY APP NOW SPONSORED BY MARCH/APRIL 2023 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • 5


There’s more from Ms Reece-Raybould on page 8 where she reflects on the event and the importance of brands and retailers beginning, or continuing, their sustainability journey.


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