and without this I would not still be here today. The government grants and the bounce back loans helped, but sadly that is still debt that has to be paid back. And that’s all on top of a changing high street with the increase in online shopping; the streets are so much quieter than they ever used to be.
Q: Do you have an online shop or website, and do you use social networking for business? A: I have an online store –
www.soleswithheart.co.uk – which has been running for a few years now. This did generate orders during the pandemic, but we had a fairly high return of children’s orders due to the fact that they weren’t being fitted properly in store. And in my shop I use Shopify to keep an eye on all stock.
Q: What’s selling well right now? Which are your best-selling footwear brands – and why? A: I would say for ladies’ footwear the best brand is Vionic, which offers trainers, sandals or boots with built-in arch support – a fantastic selling point for my ladies that want comfort and style combined. As for my children’s footwear, I would say Ricosta and Froddo are on equal par as they both offer different things; Ricosta shoes are loved for being so lightweight and very supportive, whereas Froddo shoes have very good fit, and the leather is so soft!
Q: How important is shoe fitting to your business? A: I’m a member of the Society of Shoe Fitters. I only have one other
member of staff who works part-time with me during the week, and two other ladies that work for a few hours with me every other Saturday.
Q: Do you sell other items besides footwear, such as bags, gloves, tights, socks and similar products? A: We have a range of bags from a brand called Envy Bags; they aren’t leather but they are very well made and offer some original designs. I also sell Miss Sparrow bamboo socks and scarves.
Q: How do you select your products based on what are your customers looking for? A: The most important criteria for me is quality, then price; I need to know that the shoes I choose will fit in with everyone’s working day.
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 Russell Galliven, 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: 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
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