Q&A
Footwear Retailer of the Month Cheryl Taylor, Editor, talks to footwear retailer Aisling O’Brien of
Luke O’Brien Shoes, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland. Q&A
Name: Aisling O’Brien Shop(s): Luke O’Brien Shoes Ltd
Brands: Soft Mode, Ricosta, Propet, Jana, Geox, Froddo, Lurchi Superfit, Ara, Clarks, Cipirata Hometown: Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.
How did you get into footwear? Tell us about your background and your current business?
I was literally born into this business; I am the 3rd generation in our Family Shoe Shop. My grandfather established the business in 1941 (80 years this year), with my father taking over in 1978. I was handed the reins in 2019. My siblings and I have been carrying shoe boxes since we could walk!! One day, as ‘a help’ to our Dad on a busy Saturday during BTS, my sister and I decided to tidy an area, by turning the boxes the wrong way around!!! I never planned on going into the business but after college I went
travelling to Australia, ended up working for a children’s shoe company there for 3 years, then I went to Canada and worked in children’s shoe shops and buying for stores for 4 years. I couldn’t stay away from it, no matter where in the world I was! I gained so much knowledge about brands, shopping habits etc from those years, I really feel they are benefitting me now in moving the business forward here.
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? We are located in Tuam, Co Galway which is a medium sized town in the West of Ireland. We currently employ 5 staff, plus me with Dad helping out when needed. Thankfully, we don’t have a high staff turnover, one of our staff has been with us 32 years, with the others ranging from 18 to 6 years. It creates a real feeling of community and trust with our customers. It is nice to see a familiar face.
We are a family shop in all aspects, from the cradle to the grave and everything in between.
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? In March 2020, we were told to close our doors and lay off our staff.
Aisling O Brien, Luke O Brien Shoes
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